Pune: 165 officers of the Indian Armed Forces including five officers from Sri Lanka graduated on 26 Apr 2024 after successful completion of the prestigious Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC) -06 from Military Institute of Technology (MILIT). MILIT is the only Technology Training Tri Services Institute of the Armed Forces which conducts 14 different courses. DSTSC is a flagship course conducted for all arms of the Indian Armed Forces to prepare mid-level officers to tenant command and staff appointments.
Lieutenant Gen Narendra Kotwal, AVSM, SM, VSM Commandant, AFMC Pune was the chief guest. Dr BHVS Narayanamurthy, VC DIAT Pune, was also invited as guest of honour. Senior dignitaries from HQ IDS, IIT-Bombay, Defence industries and other academia and officers from three services were present on the occasion.
The Chief Guest felicitated all the graduating officers and presented awards to the meritorious student officers. First in Overall order of merit in DSTSC Army, Navy & Air Force was awarded to Maj Prashant Pathak, Cdr Shridhar Rao and Sqn Ldc Nihar Amin respectively. Purple Trophy instituted by the HQ Integrated Defence Staff to promote jointness amongst the Tri-service officers was awarded to Maj Prashant Pathak.
In his Valedictory address, the Chief Guest stressed upon the requirement of imbibing, absorbing and applying cutting edge technologies in the Armed Forces
He highlighted the requirement of cognoscente leaders who are also well versed with Emerging Technologies. The Chief Guest also emphasised the officers to remain continually abreast with niche technologies so as to facilitate appropriate induction of equipment in the Armed Forces.
The General opined that coupled with contemporary technical training, the endeavour to train the Student Officers on niche technologies was commendable. At the end of the proceedings, the Chief Guest motivated all Graduating Officers to adopt practical approach for development of self and innovatively utilise the knowledge gained at MILIT in their important assignments ahead towards the security of India. The chief guest visited the newly inaugurated Armament Technology Lab and Heritage Hall and congratulated Air Vice Marshal Vivek Blouria, Commandant MILIT for the recent upgrade of training infrastructure of the premier institute.