Pune, Nov 30 (IANS): Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag Saturday reviewed the passing out parade of 127th National Defence Academy Course and asked the new officers to cultivate leadership qualities.

A total of 355 cadets graduated from the academy. Ten cadets from Tajikistan and five cadets from Afganistan also passed out with the 127th Course.

In his address, Gen Singh congratulated "the future leaders of armed forces" and their parents on the occasion.

He stressed on the relevance of "thinking soldiers" in the present day scenario but noted that the fundamentals of drill and inculcation of discipline can never be undermined.

He also laid stress on cultivating the qualities of good leadership - honesty, integrity, courage and valour and setting an example for others.

Gen Singh exhorted the cadets towards higher goals, to scale new heights and dare to do the impossible.

Academy Cadet Adjutant Arpit Sangwan won the President's Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit.

A fly-past by Mi-17-V5 helicopters followed by three Super Dimonas aircraft each in "VIC formation" and the grand finale by three Su-30 fighter aircraft marked the event.