Gen VP Malik, COAS and Dr (Mrs) Ranjana Malik, President AWWA, visited 8 Sector RR recently. The Sector is deployed in counter-insurgency role in one of the most sensitive areas of Kashmir Valley. With its clear cut policy of iron fists towards terrorists and velvet gloves for locals, 8 Sector RR has gained the reputation of being a balanced and versatile counter-insurgency force.

Gen VP Malik was briefed by Brig N Thamburaj, Commander, 8 Sector RR. Gen Malik expressed his satisfaction over the operational success of the Sector. The COAS interacted with the village elders and the ex-servicemen of the Lolab Valley.

Dr (Mrs) Ranjana Malik, President, AWWA visited Government Girls Middle School, Charkut. She witnessed a colourful cultural show presented by the students of the school.

A presentation ceremony to confer badges of sacrifice and certificate of honour to the next of kin of nine war martyrs from the districts of Ahmadnagar, Latur and Osmanabad was held at Armoured Corps and School (ACC&S) Ahmadnagar. The ceremony commenced by wreath-laying at the memorial. This was followed by the award of badges and certificates.

Maj Gen GS Randhawa, Deputy Commandant of ACC&S in his address, recalled the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers. The badges of sacrifice and certificates of honour were awarded to late Nk Gangadhar Kohlad, Gnr Tatyaba Barge, Gnr Shinde Udhav, Gnr Pandit Jadhav, Gnr Narangwade Shahaji— all from 216 Medium Regiment who made the supreme sacrifice on December 5, 1971. L/Nk Veer Shety of 93 Field Regiment killed during operation Pawan, L/Nk Muzawar Abbas Hussain of 27 RR/108 Medium Regiment killed during operation Rakshak, Nk Parit Hanumat Sopan of 60 Field Regiment killed during operation Rakshak and L/Nk Garad Basant Pandurang of 7 RR battalion killed during operation Rakshak were also honoured.

Air Marshal VK Bhatia, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command visited the Scanners recently. Gp Capt J Chauhan, Station Commander, Scanners, gave a presentation on operational preparedness of the Air Defence Direction Centre of Rajasthan Sector covering all operational, technical and administrative aspects. The visiting Air Marshal was briefed on self- reliance drive taken by the Scanners. The Air Marshal visited various sections and units of the Station. The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief appreciated the Station for its self-reliance drive, high operational preparedness, maintenance standard and serviceability rate of its equipment. He also met Air Cmde SBS Paul, Air Officer commanding, Air Force Station Jodhpur and discussed various operational matters.

The Scanners was raised on January 26, 1975. Since its inception, the unit has won many laurels in many fields and has excelled in operational activities. The unit has been regularly participating in various air operations and exercises.

The Rinchen Shopping Complex was inaugurated by Mrs Rekha Thapliyal, wife of Maj Gen S Thapliyal, General Officer Commanding 3 Infantry Division at Karu. Mrs Rinchen, widow of Col Chewang Rinchen who was twice honoured with Mahavir Chakra, attended the function.

The shopping complex has been named in the memory of Col Chewang Rinchen. The shopping complex houses a variety of shops and kiosks to cater for day to day needs of the locals and Army personnel. Some of the basic amenities which have been made available are STD/ISD telephone booth, sweet meat shop, bakery, provision store, unit run canteen, movie hall and fast food centre.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by a large number of civilian and military dignitaries. The opening of this shopping complex has met the long pending need of local population and would save them from the hardship of going to Leh for their basic needs.

Maj Gen Rajindra Kumar Kaushal, took over as the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Desert Division some where in the western sector. He was GOC of HQrs Victor Force prior to this.

Maj Gen Kaushal who hails from Hoshiarpur (Punjab) is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Pune. He received his pre-commission training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and was commissioned in 3 Kumaon in January 1966. He has held various staff appointments which includes Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade, General Staff Officer of Military Intelligence Directorate, Colonel General Staff of a Mountain Division, Colonel Military Secretary and Brigadier General Staff of a Corps. He was instructor in Infantry School Mhow and also at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

For his outstanding and dedicated service he was awarded Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Card in 1987 and Vishist Seva Medal in 1988.

A medical camp was organised by Desert Corps for serving and ex-servicemen and their families at Military Hospital, Alwar. Col Anil Kapoor, the Commandant and his team of Army Medical Officers, Nursing Officers and Jawans worked round the clock to make this camp a success.

Many ex-servicemen and their families from distant places came to attend the medical camp. A thorough medical check up of all the patients was carried out. The patients were provided with medicines.

Brig PR Sen, Deputy Director, Medical Services, Desert Corps said that more medical camps will be conducted at other places too.

The village Madhoni was recently affected badly due to fire and explosion in ammunition depot, Bharatpur. As a goodwill measure, Army adopted this village for restoration and rehabilitation.

Army Officers and Jawans visited all the houses in the village. Each of the affected families were given bed sheets and some utensils. They were given clothes received from Director General Ordnance Services. A water tank near village school was repaired and made serviceable to ensure water supply. A medical camp was also organised in which free medicines and treatment were given. Some patients were referred to Section Hospital, Bharatpur. Mobile canteen facility was made available to villagers and they were able to purchase various items.

Army assistance intends to improve the quality of life of villagers. As future course of action, the Army has decided to organise periodic medical camps, all round development of the village school, assist in construction of community hall, assist in improving the water supply, constant guidance and advice to improve hygiene and sanitation of the village.

"Introduction of latest technology and keeping pace with it can prove to be a major battle winning and morale boosting factor in today’s Army". Maj Gen VK Varma, Major General Electrical Mechanical Engineers, Southern Command said this during his four day visit to Western Sector.

Maj Gen Varma visited all the major Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) units of Western Sector and held discussion with Lt Gen MA Gurbaxani, General Officer Commanding Desert Corps. He also met Maj Gen RK Kaushal, General Officer Commanding Desert Division and discussed various aspects of equipment management, repair and recovery pertaining to Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Maj Gen Varma met all officers, JCOs and Soldier-Craftsmen of Desert Corps. Brig LV Sadasivan, Deputy Director Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Desert Corps accompanied him to various EME Battalions and workshops under Desert Corps.

Maj Gen Varma also visited Zonal Workshop where he was briefed by Col Manmohan Singh Jassal, the Commandant.

Scoring 85 points, the combined team emerged champions of the Inter-Battalion Aquatic Meet of Army Medical Corps Centre, School and Records, Lucknow.

Far behind with 43 points, the team of No 1 Technical Training Battalion came second followed by No 2 Technical Training Battalion which got 36 points. In all, five teams participated in the three-day championship.

Brig PSR Iyyar, officiating Commandant of AMC Centre and School, distributed prizes among the winners.

The 415 (I) Engineer Squadron (Madras Sappers) celebrated its 15th raising day some where in the Western Sector.

The Squadron was raised at Jodhpur under the first officer commanding Maj MS Kapoor. The Squadron was raised to provide close engineering support to an independent Armoured Brigade particularly during a mechanised offensive. A special sainik sammelan was held during the raising day. Greetings received from senior Army Officers were read out in the sainik sammelan. The Officer Commanding, Maj NK Chamola asked all ranks to work hard and train themselves for facing the challenges.

A pagal gymkhana was organised for all ranks and their families in the evening. A variety entertainment show was also presented. During the barakhana, all ranks and their families got an opportunity to intermingle.

Sub Rai Ali Khan sacrificed his life during an encounter with terrorists. Sub Rai Ali Khan of 5 Grenadiers was serving in 12 Rashtriya Rifles (RR). In May, near Chandal Village of Banial Tehsil, a fierce encounter took place between a terrorist group and Army. Maj PS Bhaduria was incharge of the operation and Sub Ali Khan was with him. Sub Ali Khan was hit by a bullet and he died. Sub Ali Khan has left behind his mother, his wife Hafija Khatoon and six children. His dead body was taken from Jodhpur to his village Ajala of Tehsil Pokran. Hundreds of villagers, civil and military dignitaries were present during the cremation.

In the light of successful completion of operation Vijay and success of Regiment of Artillery elsewhere, a seminar on artillery was organised at the School of Artillery. The seminar was aptly named Sarvatra VI. It was inaugurated by Lt Gen HB Kala, GOC-in-C Army Training Command. It was attended by a large number of officers from all arms.

The seminar deliberated upon various issues pertaining to effective application of artillery firepower in the new battlefield of the 21st century. In his closing address, GOC-in-C, Army Training Command lauded the professionalism of the gunners.

Capt R Subramaniam was cremated with full military honours at Oshiwara Crematorium, Mumbai. Capt R Subramaniam of 1 Para Commandos was killed while fighting militants in forests of Kupwara district of J&K. Hailing from Kerala, he was a resident of Mumbai.

Capt R Subramanian was killed during gun-battle in an encounter with militants in the Hafruda forest in Kupwara district. Representatives of the Armed Forces paid their last respects to Capt Subramaniam. Brig PK Rampal, Commander Mumbai Sub Area and other representatives of Army, Navy, Air Force and Police laid the wreath to pay their respects. The Commanding Officer of 1 Para Commandos, Col NS Koregaokar described Capt Subrmaniam as being a brave officer.

Capt R Subramaniam, aged 22, was a product of National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the Army in 1997. He was also a sky diver.

An IT Training Centre was inaugurated at Chetak Vocational Training Centre (CVTC) by Mrs Kusum Duggal, President Chetak AWWA. CVTC is being run under the aegis of Chetak AWWA to impart vocational training in different disciplines to the families of the jawans of the Chetak Corps. The aim is to provide greater self-sufficiency and self-reliance.

On the occasion, Mrs Kusum Duggal also took the opportunity of presenting cooking gas connections to seven war-widows of Bathinda and Mansa Districts. These widows had earlier projected their problems during the wars widows meet. IOC authorities of Bathinda released these connections as a special gesture towards Army widows.

The Air Force Shooting Championship was held at Air Force Station, Devlali recently. In all, seven teams representing various Commands of the IAF took part in the competition. South Western Air Command won the championship with a convincing margin. In individual events, eight out of twelve prizes were bagged by the members of the Command team.

Air Marshal VK Bhatia, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command felicitated the participants at a ceremony held at the Command Headquarters in Gandhinagar.

Maj Gen AK Sarwate, Chief of Staff of Desert Corps presented Konark APO Rolling Trophy to Nb Sub TN Jha, Post Master, 837 Field Post Office under HQ 61(I) Sub Area. The field post office won the trophy for excellent performance during the last one year. They have won the trophy for the third successive year. This trophy was instituted in November 1993, to inculcate the spirit of competition among FPOs in providing quality service to all the troops. Apart from mail, saving bank facilities, money order remittance facilities through satellite, postal orders, sale of Kisan Vikas Patra, National Savings Certificates and speed post are also handled by FPOs. News papers and philatelic service are also provided.

Maj K Ganeshan, officiating Assistant Director, APS delivered the welcome speech.

A summer adventure camp for children of Tibri Garrison was organised by 9 Infantry Division around Dalhousie. The young campers undertook various adventure activities like trekking, camping, cooking, rock climbing, rappling, firing, camp craft, survival training and cultural activities.

The camp was conducted to help the younger generation to shape their personalities and also to motivate them to join the services.

Dr B Dutta graduated from the Calcutta Medical College in 1961. He joined the Army as a Lt/AMC. After military training in Lucknow, Lt Dutta was posted to 9 Light Field Ambulance, Jhansi, with the Ist Armoured Division. In August 1963, he was posted as RMO (Captain) in 34 Madras Regiment in Khela in Pithoragarh district in Northern UP. From 1967 to 1969 he was posted in Military Hospital, Poona as a pathologist.

Dr Dutta was later posted to Military Hospital, Sagar, Mahar Regimental Centre, as a Major AMC. He resigned from the Armed Forces in May, 1970.

Hailing from a village in West Bengal, Dr Dutta migrated to Jamshedpur in 1951.

Dr B Dutta has two scholarly publications to his credit and is still attached to various professional organisations. At present he is settled with his family in Australia.