114 medical graduates commissioned into AFMS

114 medical graduates commissioned into AFMS

PUNE: A total of 114 medical graduates got commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) as soldier doctors after a  passing out parade (POP) at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Wanowrie, on Tuesday. 

Lt Gen Bipin Puri, Director General, AFMS, and Senior Colonel Commandant was the chief guest at the commissioning ceremony. This is the only ceremony in the country in which officers are simultaneously commissioned into the Army, Navy and Air Force. Dr VK Paul, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Medical Council of India (MCI) and member, NITI Aayog, was the guest of honour for the ceremony.  

Surgeon Vice-Admiral Ravi Kalra, Director and Commandant, AFMC, Pune, accompanied the DG-AFMS in reviewing the parade and commissioning officers. The ceremony was witnessed by a galaxy of senior serving and retired officers of all three services and parents of the newly-commissioned officers.

Speaking on the occasion, Kalra said, “Out of 114 medical graduates 95 graduates joined the Army, five joined the Navy and 14 joined the Air Force.”

The solemn ceremony which witnessed a praiseworthy standard of the drill marked the transition of young medical graduates into soldier doctors. Parents and invitees of the POP also witnessed the showering of petals by helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Since 2008, the commissioning ceremony parade has been commanded by a newly-commissioned officer. This year the parade was commanded by medical cadet (now Lt) Gurwinder Singh, who hails from Patiala in Punjab.

A total of 6,645 medical graduates have passed out of AFMC since 1966. This year, medical graduates of AFMC have completed 53 years in the service of the nation, in uniform. As part of this landmark event, the parade concluded with a display by the Air Warrior Drill Team, ARJAN.

The commissioning ceremony was followed by the academic awards presentation ceremony for which Dr Paul was the chief guest. He presented trophies, prizes and medals to recognise outstanding achievements in academics and an all-round performance by undergraduates. 

This year, the prestigious ‘President’s Gold Medal’ was awarded to Lt Priyanka Gupta and ‘Kalinga Trophy’ was awarded to Dr Paritosh Kotak.

Cadet Priyanka Gupta -- best all-round outgoing medical graduate
Hailing from Patna, she has done her schooling from Navy Children School, Vishakapatnam. Her father Chief Petty Officer Binesh Gupta is a veteran and her mother is a yoga instructor. She has secured distinctions in 10 out of 14 subjects taught in MBBS and in all four subjects of the final MBBS exam (part II). She stood first in MUHS in Pathology. She is a keen basketball and volleyball player. She represented MUHS in aquatics. She was awarded the Presidents Gold Medal for the best outgoing cadet for the year 2018. Priyanka said, “I got inspiration from my father to join the Armed Forces. The childhood dream of becoming a doctor and a soldier was fulfilled today. I want to do specialisation in Medicine.”

Cadet Paritosh Kotak -- best outgoing medical graduate in academics
Hailing from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Kotak completed his schooling from Zybus School of Excellence, Ahmedabad. His father is a stockbroker and his mother is a homemaker. His younger sister is presently pursuing her MBBS. 

He secured distinctions in 12 out of the 14 subjects taught in MBBS and in 3 subjects of his final MBBS. He topped MUHS in his first MBBS examinations. He is a keen quizzer and won the Pre and Para Clinical Quiz at AFMC, Pune. 

He has represented MUHS in chess. He was awarded the prestigious Kalinga Trophy for the best academic performance. He was awarded the Maj Gen Karnani Trophy for second best outgoing cadet and the DGAFMS Gold medal.

Medical cadet Gurwinder Singh --parade commander
Hailing from Patiala, Punjab, he completed his schooling from Army Public School, Patiala. His father is a defence veteran and his mother is a homemaker. 

He is an accomplished sportsman and earned his college colours in volleyball and gymnastics. He won the title of the best powerlifter and weight lifter at AFMC in the year 2016-2017. He also holds the college record for powerlifting. He also represented the university in volleyball.

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