The ‘Born to Battle’ (B2B)course group celebrated their 53rd commissioning anniversary on 13 Jun 2024 at the Composite Officers Mess located at Army Golf Course, Pune and Khetarpal Officers Institute , Chandimandir.
50 veterans and spouses attended the function at Pune and 15 veterans, 9 ladies attended at Chandimandir . Both groups reunited after 2 years gap ,exchanged pleasantries and nostalgically recalled their glorious past during the lunch function.
MVI was privileged to interact with a few high ranking officers of the B2B course who attended these functions to know their feelings on the auspicious occasion . Their responses received are published below to convey the collective feelings and sentiments of this famous course.
Lt Gen Deepak Raj ,former Comdt Army War College said:
" 53 years have gone by after we took the ' Aakhri Pagg' - the last marching step as we passed out of the Academy and became Commissioned Officers of an unmatched Fighting Army . Today, we re - lived our Cadet days and the different situations we had experienced in our Service lives. And , as we said our goodbyes at the end of our get together, each one of us felt proud and privileged to be part of the B2B Course; a Course unparalleled in its achievements in both war and peace."
Lt Gen Dalip Bhardwaj ,former DGMF said :
"It is an honour and pleasure to attend the annual celebrations of the B2B course ,where we pay homage and remember our comrades no longer with us and rejuvenate our bonds and brotherhood"
Maj Gen Soli Pavri ,former Cdr Pune Sub Area, said :
" No bonds are stronger than those forged on the anvil of the NDA.
No calling more fervent than meeting buddies.
The body is old and weak, but the spirit is not.
That’s the NDA for you "
Lt Gen RS Sujlana, former Comdt IMA ,spoke to MVI about the reunion at Chandimandir and said :
" The ongoing heatwave was given a brave counter by the warmth of coursemates of the Born to Battle Courses of June 1971 of Tricity- Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula; 15 of them with nine ladies congregated to celebrate their 53rd Anniversary of commissioning at the most appropriate place, Khetarpal Officer's Institute, named after their war hero, 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal, PVC.
Due homage was paid to him, Col NJC Nair, AC,KC and other coursemates who no longer walk the earth. They departed with promises to grace the occasion again and again in the years ahead!"
COURSE HISTORY
In Jun 1967, 250 bright young boys entered NDA (with the 38th NDA Course) the cradle of leadership, to be nurtured as men and groomed as ‘Officers and Gentlemen’
After three gruelling years at the NDA, where they developed their bonds of friendship, camaraderie and brotherhood and a year at IMA as 47 Regular Course with 31 Technical Graduates Course /Naval Academy as 38 Naval Course / AF Academy as 107 P C (IAF) they devoted the next few decades to their calling ‘The Profession of Arms’.
BORN TO BATTLE
Within six months of commissioning , before most could complete their Young Officer’s course they were inducted into battle to serve their motherland in the ultimate call of duty to participate in the 1971 war against Pakistan. Officers of the course lived up to their respective Alma Maters - NDA, IMA, and NAVAC & AFA and did the country proud. Five officers were martyred during the operations.
2/LT ARUN KHETARPAL, POONA HORSE
He was primarily responsible of repulsing a fierce counter attack at the Basantar River and after having destroyed five enemy tanks he laid down his life. The nation acknowledged his valour and awarded him the PVC posthumously . Apart from him 4 Officers were awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry). In recognition to the contribution of these young men who went straight to battle they rightly designated themselves to as “Born to Battle” Course.
DURING SERVICE
COL NJC NAIR KC,CO 16 MARATH L I
In Dec 1993 during CI Operations in Nagaland, Col NJC Nair (a recipient of Kirti Chakra ), CO 16 MLI, led his troops to successfully break an ambush and paid the ultimate price and decorated posthumously with the Ashok Chakra. Hence the ‘Born to battle’ course has the unique distinction of being the only course to have been awarded the highest awards for gallantry both in War and Peace.
The officers of B2B course have also been awarded 3 Shaurya Chakras and 4 Sena Medals (Gallantry)
SENIOR RANKS
47 Regular Course (38 NDA & 47 Direct Entry) have approx 100 officers who attained Flag Rank with 18 Officers of 3 stars. The 38 NDA/107 PC IAF course mates had a record 5 officers attaining Air Marshal Rank with 4 C in C’s.
NDA/IMA/OTA COMMANDANTS
The course provided Commandants to NDA, IMA & OTA ( Air Marshal TS Randhawa , Lt Gen RS Sujlana & Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee respectively )
CISC ,IDS Air Marshal SC Mukul was appointed as CISC (HQ IDS)
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