PUNE, DEC 7: As the MiG 29s and Jaguars ripped across the slightly cloudy skies on Saturday morning, 294 cadets of the 93rd Course joined the three wings of the armed forces at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

Academy cadet captain K Iesanto, who bagged the President's medal for standing first in the overall order of merit of the passing out course, led 15 squadrons during the parade. Battalion cadet captain Ajay Rathi won the silver medal while the bronze medal went to battalion cadet adjutant G D Kole. Chief of Army Staff General V P Malik reviewed the parade He called upon the cadets to provide leadership of high character, and moral values. He exhorted the cadets to set an example since the armed forces symbolised the nation's unity and integrity.

The armed forces, according to Gen Malik, in the period since Independence had earned a well-deserved reputation for discipline, integrity and professionalism.

Later, while speaking to media persons, Gen Malik yesterday categorically ruled out the possibility of total withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir in view of the continuation of a proxy war from across the border in the past few years.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.