For the cadets of GME Batch 47 and ETO Batch 19, 31st August marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another. At the Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA) in Karjat, the Passing-Out Parade brought together cadets, families, faculty and senior maritime leaders to celebrate the completion of intensive training and the transition towards life at sea. The ceremony, attended by Chief Guest Mr. Mugilrajan Devarajan, E&SS-cum-DDG (Tech.), DGMA, and Guest of Honour Capt. Sudipto Dasgupta, Director (Marine HR), AESMI, marked the successful completion of training by 40 GME cadets, alongside the graduating ETO cohort.
Opening the proceedings, Mr. Tejinder P.S. Bhamra, Principal of AEMA, urged the cadets to build their careers not merely on certificates, but on competence, sound judgement, humility and integrity. He reminded them that mistakes during training are natural, but learning from those mistakes is what ultimately develops professionals capable of taking responsibility at sea. For ETOs in particular, he highlighted the growing sophistication of modern ships and the importance of understanding the root cause of an electrical or automation problem rather than simply resetting an alarm. “Congratulations to all the graduating GME and ETO cadets on this important milestone. Your certificates mark the beginning of your maritime careers, while your competence, confidence, humility and integrity will define your journey. Make your academy, trainers and families proud.” Bhamra said.
The transition from academy to ship was reflected in the course reports presented by Mr. Anil Sharma, ETO Course In-charge, and Mr. Yogesh Chonkar, GME Course-in-Charge. ETO Batch 19 underwent four months of shore-based training followed by eight months of shipboard exposure, supported by technical instruction, leadership programmes, financial literacy, self-awareness, safety and security training, ship visits and specialised familiarisation in areas including high-voltage systems, LNG and ammonia bunkering.
For GME Batch 47, eight months of structured training combined 700 hours of theory with 350 hours of practical learning. Cadets were exposed not only to marine machinery, pneumatics, hydraulics and workshop skills, but also to artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality, cyber security, engineering simulation, high-voltage systems, alternative fuels and ballast-water treatment. The batch achieved a 94% final result, reflecting the additional support provided to cadets requiring improvement.
Capt. Sudipto Dasgupta, drawing on his long association with AEMA, reminded the graduates that the real test would begin once they stepped aboard. He encouraged them to take responsibility for their own development rather than measure themselves constantly against colleagues. “The only person you should compete with once you join the ship is yourself. There will be no classroom rankings or immediate comparisons with your peers. Your growth will depend on how consistently you challenge yourself to learn and perform better.” Dasgupta said.
He also urged families to appreciate the realities of seafaring, where professional commitments can mean missing festivals, celebrations and important occasions. Yet, he reminded the cadets that friendship, teamwork and peer support can become crucial sources of strength during difficult periods at sea. Ultimately, the purpose of shipping, he emphasised, extends beyond moving cargo to protecting life, the environment, property and the cargo entrusted to them.
Chief Guest Mr. Mugilrajan Devarajan expanded that vision beyond the first contract. Congratulating the cadets and praising AEMA’s infrastructure, faculty and culture of discipline, he encouraged them to think beyond traditional career milestones and aspire to become technical superintendents, fleet managers, directors and CEOs. Discipline, he said, means doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. “The next 20 years will be among the most productive years of your lives. You will not merely witness India’s transformation by 2047; you will be part of building it through your skills, discipline, responsibility, leadership and commitment to excellence.” Devarajan said.
The ceremony also celebrated individual excellence, with Cadet Anil Thomas emerging as both Academic Topper and Overall Best Cadet for ETO Batch 19, while Cadet Yash Bhardwaj secured both Academic Topper and Overall Best Cadet honours for GME Batch 47. Interspersed cultural performances showcased the creativity and talents of the graduating cadets, adding a celebratory dimension to an otherwise formal occasion. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from representatives of the two passing-out batches, followed by lunch and an opportunity for families, faculty and industry guests to share the moment with the graduating class.
For AEMA, the parade represented more than the completion of another training cycle. It reflected the academy’s continuing role in preparing engineers and electro-technical officers for a shipping industry that is becoming increasingly automated, digital and technologically demanding. For the cadets themselves, however, the message was perhaps simpler: the classroom chapter has closed, and the real voyage is about to begin.
Marex Media