“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.