Page 253 - Leadership in the Indian Army

to six months, and that they be granted commissions after undergoing the
balance of training at their respective schools of instruction, Prem put his
foot down. He felt that this would create a second class officer, and would

be detrimental to the Indian Army in times to come. Fortunately, his view
prevailed and the situation that was created by having two types of officers
—KCIOs and ICOs—during the days of the British was not repeated.
Another important event was the presentation of colours to the IMA. The
Academy was holding the King’s Colours, with which it had been presented
soon after its establishment in 1932. After India became a Republic in 1950,
these could not be carried on parade and had been laid up. The President,

Dr S. Radhakrishnan, presented new colours to the IMA at an impressive
ceremonial parade on 10 December 1962. They were received by
Gentleman Cadet V.B. Batra of the thirtieth (twenty-first NDA) course on
behalf of the IMA. The old colours were laid up in Chetwode Hall with due
ceremony, along with the King’s Colours of various other regiments of the
Indian Army.

Prem introduced the custom of inviting parents of the passing out cadets
to the ‘pipping ceremony’ and the dinner held afterwards. Earlier, they had
been invited only to the Passing Out Parade, which is held in the morning.
In the old days, the pipping ceremony was accompanied by a ball, and only
the families of officers on the staff were invited to attend. The passing out
cadet was permitted to invite a girlfriend, if he had one, and she did the
honours of putting the star on his epaulette. Prem’s scheme was opposed by

many, on the grounds that due to the diverse backgrounds from which the
cadets were drawn, the presence of their parents might affect the formality
and solemnity of the occasion. Prem disagreed, and the glow of pride on the
faces of the cadets who brought their parents to be introduced to him proved
that he was right. He thus brought a truly Indian flavour to the passing out
ceremony, making it an occasion to be shared and cherished by the cadets

and their families.
Prem gave considerable attention to the training of gentleman cadets, or
GCs as they are called. Even more than military training, he laid great stress
on what are known as OLQ or ‘officer like qualities’. Perhaps no one else
has defined these as well and as succinctly as he did. In his address to the
GCs when they passed out, he said: ‘Do nothing petty, selfish or mean. Be
magnanimous, be loyal, be courageous, and be a gentleman. You will then

be an officer in the true sense.’