The President Parade on the occasion of commissioning the officer cadets of the 82nd BMA Long Term Course of Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) was held through a colourful ceremony at Bhataiary BMA Parade Ground in Chattogram on Wednesday.
Qatar Armed Forces Chief Lieutenant General (Pilot) Salem Hamad Al-Akil Al-Nabet reviewed the smartly turned out parade and took salute at the impressive march past as the chief guest at the President’s Parade, said ISPR.
He also distributed the medals and awards among the cadets for their outstanding performance in the academy. A total of 196 cadets, including 7 Palestinians and 1 Sri Lankan, received commissions through the parade. Among the commissioned officers, 180 of them were male and 16 were female.
Battalion Senior Under Officer Md Tanvir Rahim was adjusted the best all round cadet in the 82nd BMA long course and was awarded coveted 'Sword of Honour'. At the same time, he received the ‘Chief of Army Staff’s (CAS) Gold Medal’ for his outstanding performance in the military subjects.
Addressing the occasion, Qatar Armed Forces Chief Lieutenant General (Pilot) Salem Hamad Al-Akil Al-Nabet said “Under the appropriate leadership and far-reaching guidance of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, today Bangladesh is a role model of development and ideology. Side by side, Bangladesh Armed Forces enjoys the pride and glory of being the topmost troops contributing country to the UN Peacekeeping Operations.”
“As the junior most member of this force you must take pride out of this glory earned by your predecessors,” he added.
He urged upon the junior officers to be professionally sound and imbibed with moral and patriotic values. Inspired by Bangabandhu’s time-winning and far-sighted directions, Bangladesh Army today is making significant contributions across the borders with efficiency. Bangladesh Army has become the symbol of confidence to the people of Bangladesh by standing beside them under any adverse situation caused by natural disasters, he added.
He said the Bangladesh-Qatar relation has witnessed visible progress in recent years through regular bilateral visits, increase of manpower exports, substantive engagements, and common position in regional and international issues and close 10 cooperation in international arena to promote peace, stability and development. The cadets formally took oath and were later adorned with the rank badges by their respective parents and guardians.
Major General SM Kamrul Hassan, the Commandant of Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) said, “It is very important time for us as the Chief of the Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant General Salem Hamad Al-Akil Al-Nabet is currently present with us.”
The senior military official of Bangladesh Army also said, “Our cadets have been greatly inspired by the presence of the Qatar Armed Forces Chief as the chief guest at the passing parade of the BMA.”
Major General SM Kamrul Hassan, who was commissioned in the East Bengal Regiment with the 21st BMA Long Course in 1989 as the best cadet in weapons training, further said, “The cadets of BMA take training with integrity, discipline and devotion. Today’s parade was the sign of that.”
“In future, the Bangladesh Army officers will prove their efficiencies and the main credit of it will go to the BMA. It was reflected in today’s parade,” the chief of the BMA concluded.
At the beginning of the programme, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Army Training and Doctrine Command, Commandant of BMA, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 24 Infantry Division and Chattogram Area Commander received the chief guest on his arrival at the BMA Parade Ground.
The colourful parade was witnessed by high civil and military officials and parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers.
