The hard work, grit, determination, professional excellence and devotion to duty displayed by all ranks of 17 Assam Rifles in its military duties in Manipur was recognised on the occasion of Army Day. The battalion has been awarded unit citation by Lt Gen HRS Kalkat, GOC-in-C Eastern Command amongst a large number of Army and Assam Rifles units.

Col Dilawar Singh, who has been in command of the battalion, received the unit citation on behalf of the battalion from the Army Commander at a glittering ceremony held at Fort William, Kolkata. The Subedar Major of the battalion, Sub Maj J S Bisht was also present with Col Dilawar Singh when the award was presented.

The Chief of the Army Staff awarded commendations to three personnel of the unit— Nb Sub Surjit Singh, Rfn Balwant Ram and Rfn Rajendra Singh Panwal in recognition of their exemplary devotion and dedication displayed in Manipur.

On the occasion of the Republic Day, the President of India awarded Shaurya Chakra to Maj Sukhmeet Singh for having displayed exceptional leadership, bravery and courage. Capt P S Banafar and Rfn Suresh Kumar R were awarded Sena Medals and Capt Rajnish Gambhir was Mentioned-in-Despatches.

A group of twenty school-children and two teachers from Wung Tangkhul region of Manipur went on a‘Bharat Darshan’ excursion organised by HQ 3 Corps. They visited places of historical interest in Delhi and Agra. The excursion was flagged off by Brig RS Bains, Deputy GOC 57 Division, from Shangshak, Ukhrul. The selection and conduct of excursion was done under the guidance of Brig JS Sandhu, Commander, 10 Sector. An officer of 25 Assam Rifles accompanied the group.

The excursion aimed at providing an opportunity to the students of this region to interact with the multi-faceted ethnic composition and diverse cultures of India, widen their horizons and enable them to assess the diversity of the nation for themselves.

The highlights of the tour included an exposure to the Republic Day Parade and a meeting with the President of India. The team also met Gen S Padmanabhan, Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen T S Shergill, GOC 3 Corps, Maj Gen P K Chibber, Chief of Staff 3 Corps, Maj Gen R N Kapur, IGAR (North) and other senior Army officers enroute. On their return, the group met the Governor of Manipur, Mr Ved Marwah.

At Rangapahar, the students met another group from Manipur consisting of 14 boys, 6 girls and 2 teachers who hailed from the districts of Senapati, Imphal East, Chandel and Thoubal. These students also got an opportunity to interact with various other groups of students which had come to Delhi and Agra including an Army sponsored group of Kashmiri boys and girls. The excursion was satisfying as the message of national integration was well-received by all.

Mrs Mona Kalkat, President, Army Wives Welfare Association, Eastern Command visited Leimakhong some 23 kms from Imphal in Manipur. She interacted with the wives of Army personnel who are deployed in the State of Manipur for counter-insurgency operations.

A special welfare meet was organsied in honour of Mrs Mona Kalkat. The Army wives displayed elegant and colourful embroidery pieces, handicraft products and various handwoven items made at the welfare centres. Various welfare activities for families of Armed Forces personnel were highlighted. A cultural programme was hosted to mark the occasion.

Mrs Mona Kalkat appreciated the welfare activities undertaken at Leimakhong. Mrs Minnie Iqbal Singh, President, AWWA, 57 Mountain Division was also present at the function.

The Manipur Equestrian Team is being trained under the aegis of HQ Eastern Command since January 2001 at Red Shield Riding Institute at Leimakhong Army Camp, some 25 kms from Imphal in Manipur for the sixth National Games to be held at Jalandhar in September 2001. The team consisting of ten participants and seven horses are stabled at Leimakhong Garrison.

The team is undergoing an intensive training under the guidance of Maj Ranbir Yadav, Officer Comanding 302 Coy ASC (Supply) Type ‘A’ who is a rider of repute having won medals at international level and is also a qualified international judge for equestrian sports.

Lt Gen T S Shergill, General Officer Commanding 3 Corps visited the young and budding riders. He was accompanied by Maj Gen Iqbal Singh, GOC 57 Mountain Division.

Lt Gen Shergill, a horseman of national and international repute, after witnessing the training in progress, gave valuable advice to the Manipur Team.

Dr Tumbi and Mr Tombi Raj, President and Secretary of Manipur Equestrian Association respectively expressed their happiness over the conduct of the training by the Army.