History of IMA

Saturday, December 5, 2009
For those whose own ease comes last, always, every time by Jaskiran Chopra | Dehradun

The 10th day of December is a memorable day for the Indian Military Academy (IMA) as it was on this day, in 1932, that the formal inauguration of this prestigious institution took place. Though the academy began functioning on October 1, 1932, it was only on December 10 that Commander-in-Chief Sir Philip Chetwode inaugurated the Academy.

The inauguration had to be delayed more than two months. The first cadets arrived on September 30 and IMA opened on October 1.

Chetwode said in his speech at the inauguration, “I wish I could have welcomed the Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) of the new Indian Military Academy on the day they first made their appearance here, for it was a memorable day in the history of the Indian Army.”

He added, “I could not do so because it was pointed out to me that they had not yet received their uniform, nor were they sufficiently drilled to make an inspection on parade possible. At the request of the commandant, I, therefore, postponed my visit until today, when he said that he would be ready to receive me.”

Brigadier LP Collins had been appointed the first Commandant of the academy in January 1932. The holding of examinations, nomination of cadets and other preparatory activities had begun figuring in news reports.

The July 30, 1931 issue of The Pioneer, under the caption ‘Notes from Dehradun’ wrote, “His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, was here for a few days last week, from July 14 to 17. He was probably here in connection with the Indian Military Academy, which has only a couple of months ahead of it now before opening.”

The founding of this prestigious academy in 1932 was the culmination of a longdrawn battle fought in circles such as the Central Legislative Assembly and the Round Table Conference by stalwarts like Sir Sivaswamy Aiyar, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pandit Motilal Nehru and Lala Lajpat Rai.

After the Commandant’s speech in Chetwode Hall on December 10, 1932 came the historic inaugural speech of Sir Philip, the concluding words of which have echoed in the hearts and minds of young GCs and officers of the Indian Army over the generations.

These words, inscribed in letters of gold in Chetwode Hall, are the credo of the academy. The words are, “The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”

Read the full article at POINEER: For those whose own ease comes last, always, every time