Dehradun: Among the 15 foreign officer cadets commissioned at Saturday’s Passing out Parade (POP) at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun was Altahir Abdulhafyz Altahir, 23, from Sudan — a country currently ravaged by a devastating civil war.
Altahir was the sole cadet from his country to pass out from the IMA and be commissioned as an officer in the Sudanese army. Despite concerns about the situation back home, Altahir wore a calm smile at the event, claiming he was “finally realizing his childhood dream of joining the Army.”
“My dream was shaped by the sights of my maternal grandfather donning the uniform before retiring as a Major General from the Sudanese Army,” said Altahir.
The fifth among six siblings, he informed that his family could not attend this proud moment due to the ongoing civil war. “Yes, I’m a bit sad about it, but I spoke to them over the phone on Friday about the big day, and they all were very happy. Having said that, I feel immensely fortunate to get commissioned as an officer, as this is the time when my country needs me the most,” said Altahir, adding that he would be assigned a regiment by the Sudanese Army upon returning home. “I’ll serve my country with all I can.”
