Port Blair, July 14: The passing out ceremony of the 51stBatch of Foresters was held on 14thJuly, 2023 at Forest Training Institute, Wimberlygunj. The ceremony marked the end of the one year basic forestry training of 16 newly recruited Foresters. Dr.T.S.Ashok Kumar, IFS, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Env. &Forests), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, who was the chief guest of the function, planted sapling of Khatta Phal (Baccaureasapida) inside the campus of FTIand receive guard of honour from the outgoing trainees during the passing-out parade and gave away the Course completion certificates to them.
In his convocation address, highlighting the importance of forestry and wildlife sector, Dr. T.S. Ashok Kumar, IFS, exhorted the trainees to excel themselves with utmost sincerity, honesty and professional competence towards protection of the natural resources of these Islands . He appealed all the trainees to work in their field with a simple motto – ‘Discipline, Sincerity and honesty’.
Shri Kamal Datta, IFS, Addl.PCCF (A&V) and Dr. S.Senthil Kumar, IFS,Addl.PCCF (CRZ&FC) were also present on the occasion as Guest of Honour and address the gathering emphasizing on protection & conservation of the vast flora and fauna of the fragile eco-system of these island with utmost dedication. The Chief guest and Guest of Honouradorned the meritorious trainees with gold and silver medals.
Earlier, Shri C A Majeed, Director of the Institute, presented the course report of the batch with declaration of result while Shri.Alkab Hasan, Instructor Forest Training Institute welcomed the gathering. Many senior officers from Forest Department and other line departments, scientific institutions along with the local PRI members including Zila Parishad member and Pradhan were also present at the function.The function also witnessed representations from the local public and the family members of outgoing trainees.
Shri. Mohd.Shameer,Forester received the Toppers Gold Medal from the chief guest, for the overall performance both in theory as well as practical sessions of the one year long training course. Among the four silver medals awarded, Shri. Mohd.Shameer fetched two medals in ‘Survey & Engineering’ and ‘Biodiversity Conservation’ while Miss NK. Parveen Shabnam, bagged the silver medals for ‘Forestry’ and‘Field Management’. The silver medals in Marathon race for men and women category were secured by Shri. N. Mohd. Sakir and Smti. Bipasha Roy respectively. The silver medal for best sports person of the batch was bagged by Miss B. Sweta.
The function concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Shri Vijay Kishen, Instructor of the Institute.