Dehradun: Among the 247 Indian cadets who graduated from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on Saturday, 22-year-old Abdul Aziz from Bihar’s Gaya district is easily identifiable. Unlike his colleagues, who wore formal Army uniforms at the passing out parade, Aziz was seen wearing a baggy green camouflaged combat dress.While families of other cadets kissed, laughed and wept with their sons at the ceremony, Aziz was seen celebrating the day with his friends and their families. He said he did not invite his family to the ceremony because he his yet to finish training.For the next three months, Aziz and his 13 friends will be going through rigorous physical and mental training to be a part of the country’s most elite force — the Para Special Forces Regiment.“Though my training at the IMA is complete, I still have three months to train to be in the airborne infantry. I will invite my family when I complete this training,” he said.Aziz’s induction into the special forces is not guaranteed yet. If he fails to pass the training procedure at the centre in Bangalore, he would have to join other regiments.However, Aziz says he is determined to get through. “The job is challenging and that is why it excites me the most. I am ready for the tough training that I will go through in Bengaluru. I know I will be operating in some of the most challenging conditions, but that’s what keeps me going,” he said, while adding that his only dream is to earn the coveted maroon beret that only the members of the special forces get to wear.“The beret represents excellence. That’s what I want to aspire for,” he said.

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