Armed Forces Panorama

The 14th national convention of marine engineers was held under the aegis of the Institute of Engineers (India), Cochin. This was for the first time that a national convention of this nature was held in Cochin.

The convention was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Harinder Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. In his inaugural address, he recalled the glorious maritime traditions of India. He also noted that worldwide galloping technology in the last century and gloabalisation coupled with socio-economic changes in the more recent past had resulted in spectacular developments.

The RADM TB Bose Memorial Lecture was delivered by Cmde HS Kang (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, Mazagaon Dock Ltd, Mumbai. The lecture addressed the core issues of impact of technology on maritime activities, port development, labour, legislation, design, maritime research and development, training, safety and manning.

In all 18 papers were presented during the two-day convention by experts including one German engineer. Seven of these papers were by naval officers. The substantial naval participation in a national convention underlines the deep concern and involvement of the Indian Navy in current and future issues of maritime significance.

The ISO-9001 certification signifying the standards conforming to the highest international standards laid down for quality management system in provisioning engineering support services relating to construction works for various Army units and other Defence establishments in the North-East has been given to the Chief Engineer, Shillong Zone. At a ceremony held at the Sarvatra Hall of Headquarters Chief Engineer, Shillong Zone, the certificate was presented to Brig Praveen Kapur, Chief Engineer Shillong Zone by Mr DKS Moorthy of 'Det Norske Veritas' (DNV), the ISO certifying institution. The Headquarters Chief Engineer Shillong Zone of the Military Engineering Services became the first defence organisation in North-East to attain this coveted certificate.

Apart from total quality management other significant achievements of the Chief Engineer Shillong Zone include total automation of various organisation work procedures and networking of its headquarters with all its command works engineer's located at Shillong, Tezpur, Dinjan, Dimapur and Teliamura in Tripura. The Institute of Engineers', Shillong Chapter has also been actively promoting computer literacy and other engineering activities. The benefits of the engineering skills and experience of the organisation has helped the population of this region.

The 42nd raising day of the Desert Army Aviation Flight was celebrated recently. The Commanding Officer of the unit, Lt Col SK Singh in his address asked all ranks to strive and achieve excellence in all the fields. He congratulated the personnel for their hardwork and dedication. The Flight has achieved all its assigned tasks entrusted to it especially during the earthquake at Bhuj, he added.

The special sainik sammelan was followed by a havan in the Unit Mandir. Pagal gymkhana was also organised.

A variety entertainment programme organised on the occasion included Rajasthani dance, songs, skits and others. This was followed by a prize distribution ceremony. The best section trophy for the best subunit in discipline, physical fitness, shooting standards, contribution towards flight safety, professional competence and quiz test was awarded by the Commanding Officer.

To promote excellence in the field of academics, the Flight awards scholarships to the deserving children of JCO's and Jawans. This year six children were selected for scholarships.

A badakhana was organised after the prize distribution ceremony. Many ex-servicemen joined and shared their experience. A get-together was also organised in the Aviation Officers Mess.

The Naval Aircraft Yard, a deep level repair organisation for aircraft of western and indigenous origin in the Indian Navy, celebrated its 41st anniversary at Kochi. Rear Admiral RP Suthan, the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, Kochi inaugurated the celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp. The Yard personnel organised an entertainment programme depicting the cultural heritage of the region. Their families also participated in sports and cultural activities as part of the ‘Families Day’.

A reunion of the 21st Course (1959-61) of the National Defence Academy was organised in Pune. The reunion coincided with the passing out of the 100th course of NDA. 28 officers, many of them with their spouses visited their old alma-mater from different parts of the country.

Lt Gen NC Vij, the Southern Army Commander, Vice Admiral Pasricha, FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command, Air Marshal KS Bindra AOP Air Hqrs, Lt Gen MA Gurbaxani, COS, Southern Command were among the senior officers who attended the reunion.

Lt Gen Pankaj Joshi, Central Army Commander, Vice Admiral Harinder Singh, FOC-in-C, Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral RN Ganesh heading the Advanced Vessel Project of the Indian Navy, Lt Gen Shankar Prasad, DG Infantry also belong to the 21st Course of NDA.

The 21st Course was commissioned during the 1962 operations. Almost all the officers of the 21st Course have seen action in 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.

The visiting dignitaries visited the NDA museum, the cadets mess, the squadrons where they had stayed as cadets; the barber shop and ‘Peacock Bay’. During their visit the serving and retired officers also apprised themselves about the various developments and changes that have taken place at NDA since their time.

The Punjab Regiment Recruitment Rally was recently conducted at Ferozepur. The youth from Punjab, HP, J&K, Haryana, Rajasthan, Western and Eastern UP areas availed the facilities and congregated in a big way to participate in various tests. About 5000 candidates and their attendants assembled at the rally.

The rally was inaugurated by Brig AK Khosla, Commander, Infantry Brigade.

Candidates were screened for the Soldier GD and for the clerks and tradesman category. Finally about 884 and 141 candidates cleared various physical tests for Soldier GD and clerk and tradesman category respectively. These candidates were eligible to take the written exam.

The rally provided an opportunity to select appropriate candidates from a large gathering.

A free medical camp was organised by the JWG Brigade at Sangiot near Surankot. Keeping in view of the poor health facilities in the area, Brig M Khajuria, Commander, JWG Brigade undertook the task of organising the camp.

A medical team comprising qualified doctors including medical specialists and gynaecologists provided the medical services. Over 2000 patients were treated at the medical camp. Medicines were distributed free of cost and people from far-flung villages like Bhatte Dhurion, Tota Gali, Chandial, Chappal and Ratta Jabra were benefitted by the free medical camp.

A handloom training-cum-weaving centre was dedicated to the people of Assam by the Red Horns Division at Karara near Baihata Chariali in Kamrup district. Mrs Kanta Jamwal, President, Army Wives Welfare Association, Red Horns Division dedicated the centre. The function was also marked by a day-long medical camp where specialised medical treatment was provided by a team of Army and civil doctors. Various specialists established X-ray, laboratory, dental unit and an operation theatre at the camp.

A cultural programme was presented by the school children and locals. Maj Gen A S Jamwal, General Officer Commanding, Red Horns division in his address, expressed the need for a greater sense of responsibility in solving the insurgency in the state.

Dr (Mrs) Neera Yadava, President Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Nagrota, also known as "White Knight" accompanied by Vice President Mrs Indu Kanwar paid a one-day visit to Jammu. The aim was to inspect various welfare activities being undertaken by the Tiger AWWA.

On her arrival, Mrs Neera Yadava was received and briefed by Dr (Mrs) Neelam Grover, President of Tiger AWWA. She visited War Widows Hostel, Sugrahani Vocational Training Centre and Sagarika Computer Training Node.

At the War Widows Hostel,
Dr (Mrs) Neera Yadava interacted with the Shaheed Patnis. The hostel caters to the security, health, rations, vocational training and education of war widows and their dependents.

Expressing her satisfaction, President, AWWA Nagrota complimented the Jammu branch for their efforts in ensuring the welfare of serving soliders, ex-servicemen and their families.

A Naval Selection Board (NSB) for selection of candidates seeking entry into the Navy as officers was inaugurated at the naval establishment INS Agrani located at Coimbatore. The NSB was inaugurated by Rear Admiral RP Suthan, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, Kochi. At present, the Naval Selection Boards at Bangalore and Bhopal are part of the Services Selection Board. With the setting up of their exclusive NSB, the growing requirement for officers in the Indian Navy would be met properly. The first batch to report for the tests comprised about 100 candidates.

INS Agrani which houses the NSB is a training base of the Navy imparting leadership and management training to senior sailors.

As part of the on-going process of normalisation of life in the Kashmir Valley, a group of 35 school children including six girls from the districts of Jammu and Kashmir visited various parts of the country. These children started a fifteen-day long Sadbhavana Yatra from Rampur (J &K) under operation Sadbhavana. The operation Sadbhavana has been organised under aegis of the Indian Army.

The children visited Jalandhar as part of the Yatra. Brig JS Grewal of the Vajra Corps met the children. The children also visited the Sainik Institute and other places in Jalandhar.

They met officers and ladies of the units in the cantonment and shared their experience. The children expressed their desire for return of peace and normalcy in their home state.

The HQ 627(I) Mechanised AD Brigade organised a display of Army equipment at Kota in Rajasthan. This display was organised for school and college students of Kota. The main aim of this display was to familarise the students about the Army equipment.

A sports complex was inaugurated at Jodhpur Officers Institute by Desert Corps Commander, Lt Gen Hari Prasad. Speaking on the occasion,
Lt Gen Hari Prasad said that Army officers and their families will be able to play various indoor games in this complex.

The sports complex consists of a badminton court, tennis court (clay and grass), skating ring, table tennis, billiards and a well equipped gymnasium.

Speaking on the occasion, General Officer Commanding, Battle Axe Division, Maj Gen KS Jamwal said that sports complex will function under the officers institute which also caters to various social gatherings in the Army Cantonment.

The 237 Engineer Regiment assisted by 12 Guards Battalion constructed the sports complex. A new swimming pool is also proposed to be constructed within the complex.

The Western Air Command (WAC) won the Air Force Handball Championship by defeating Maintenance Command (MC), 18-16, in a keenly contested final played at Air Force Station, Chandigarh. Air Officer Commanding, 12 Wing, Air Cmde V S Govindarajan gave away the prizes to the winners.

The eight-day championship was played on league-cum-knockout basis. Eight teams from seven Air Force Commands and Air Headquarters participated in the meet.

The Air Force team was also declared for the forthcoming Inter Services Handball Championship to be held at Pune. The team includes S Chaudhary, Rajesh P K Singh, S R Gurnule, Ranganathan, Jayesh, Arjun Singh. Anand Rao, R K Sharma, Zibi, Binoy, Jena, Naushad, Sachin, Jaipal, A N Uttam and Sunder Rajan. Mahesh, Jai Prakash, Dash and Bhaskaran have been selected for the standbys.

from Chandigarh