These batchmates bid farewell to the olive green uniform several years ago, but their spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie lives on.

“If we get our youth back, we will rejoin the Army and serve the nation,” said one of them, as they celebrated their 50 years after IMA.

Laughing, cracking jokes and discussing their training days brought back the good old memories for these retired personnel living in the tricity.

Sharing an anecdote, former Army chief General V P Malik, who led the celebrations, said: “Once my wife and I had gone to a beach to have snacks. I found a hawker giving 25 per cent discount to defence personnel. The chatwala impressed us with his patriotism. My wife asked me to invite him to the parade scheduled for two days later.”

The instructors of their batch — Maj Gen Rajindra Nath (Retd), Col Baldev Inder Singh Cheema (Retd), Col Amalok Singh Grewal (Retd) and Col Ranjit Singh (Retd) — were honoured by Gen V P Malik.

Maj Gen Rajindra Nath said it was a matter of pride to “see your cadets reach great heights”.

“I was a Captain when we trained them. I can’t forget this batch because after their training, I went to Canada for my course in nuclear warfare. I feel proud they went on to become the most efficient officers.”

“The course has produced one Chief of the Army Staff, two General Officers Commanding-In-Chiefs and many three-star and two-star officers,” said Brig J S Phoolka (Retd).

“Besides, there are many winners of gallantry and distinguished services awards, including one Mahavir Chakra.”

Before the celebrations started, the retired soldiers observed a two-minute silence in the memory of those who lost their lives in wars or other reasons.

“On June 6, 1959, we were 252 gentlemen cadets,” Col Surinder Mohan (retd) said. “We have lost around 100 coursemates in the wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971. A few died due to old age. But more than 100 are still alive.”

And these 100 will continue to celebrate their achievements with pride. Next month, they will meet at the IMA, Dehradun. This time, they will celebrate the golden jubilee with their batchmates from across the country.

“We remember the day when we became commissioned officers at the Nizam Pavillion—when a ‘star’ of the Second Lieutenant adorned our shoulders,” Col Sidhu (retd) said.