Minister of State for Defence, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta visited the Northern Command Hospital. He was received by Commandant, Maj Gen MK Manchanda. The minister was given a briefing on the facilities available in the hospital and a perspective plan for their modernisation and upgradation.

Prof Gupta also visited the augmented Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme Polyclinic at the hospital. During his visits to casualty wards, he interacted with brave soldiers and expressed the gratitude of the nation for their sacrifices. He presented gifts to all battle casualties.

- Lt Col SPK Singh

from Udhampur

Minister of State for Defence Production and Supplies, Mr O Rajagopal visited Sainik School, Kazhakootam.

Mr Rajagopal, who was visiting the school for the first time after taking over as minister, was received with a guard of honour by school cadets. He laid a wreath at the 'Stupa of Remembrance' and held discussions with the school authorities.

Later, Mr Rajagopal addressed the cadets, teachers, staff and parents at a special meeting at the VK Krishna Menon Memorial Auditorium.

- P Rajendran

Army Chief, Gen NC Vij inaugurated the Army College of Dental Sciences (ACDS) at Jawaharnagar in Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh. Speaking on the occasion, the General informed that nine more Army institutions including a fashion designing centre, management schools and BEd colleges are soon to be established in Hyderabad. ACDS will provide treatment not only to the personnel of the Armed Forces but also to the civilians.

Lt Gen Natarajan, Adjutant General, AHQ said that Army is concerned about educational requirement of its personnel. The Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) started with only 15 Army Schools in 1983 and, at present, it has 116 schools with 1900 children, he added.

Brig SP Sreekumar, Commander, Andhra Sub Area and the Chairman of ACDS gave a brief on the activities of the college. He said that ACDS has got the approval of the Dental Council of India and is affiliated to NTR University of Health Sciences.

- PJ Sudhakar

from Secunderabad

Lt Gen Hari Prasad, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief visited Dhruva, the ‘wall of remembrance’, at the Headquarters of the Northern Command. He paid homage to 8943 martyrs whose names adorn this historical monument.

Dhruva is a monument dedicated to the brave soldiers of the Northern Command. It was consecrated and inaugurated on June 17, 1997 on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the command.

At the time of inauguration, there were 6244 names of those killed in action and 1520 names of awardees. Another monument, Kailash, is being constructed opposite Dhruva to be dedicated to those soldiers whose gallantry has been acknowledged recently. An annual rededication ceremony has been planned on the occasion of the raising day of the command on June 17 every year.

- Lt Col SPK Singh

A spectacular and thrilling flying display was conducted over Hussainsagar Lake in Hyderabad. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala observed that the Indian Air Force has been playing a vital role in national security.

Highlighting the features of the display, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy said that the flying display would motivate the youth to join Defence Forces. Mr T Srinivas Yadav, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism and the Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr Bandaru Dattatreya were also present on the occasion.

The flying display included three Chetak helicopters in formation, a fly- past by nine HPT-32 propeller aircraft in three VICs of three aircraft each, Small Boy formation and fly-pasts by one AN-32, two Dornier, nine Kiran, six ISKRA aircraft, five Jaguars and two MIG-29. The mock combat between two MIG-29 and two SU-30 aircraft and the hair-raising aerobatic displays by Suryakiran and SU-30 were cheered by the audience. They got enthralled by the concluding display of the Indian sky-diving team. The team members jumped from an M1-8 helicopter from a height of 8000 feet and landed at the earmarked place at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road. The flying display attracted thousands of people from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Cyberabad.

Air Marshal BK Pandey, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, Indian Air Force and the senior officers of the Defence Forces and civilian authorities also witnessed the flying display. The display is organised under the aegis of Training Command of IAF in Bangalore and is coordinated by College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad as a part of the awareness campaign of the Indian Air Force.

- PJ Sudhakar

from Secunderabad

The renovated Movement Control Office (MCO) complex at Jabalpur Railway Station was inaugurated by Maj Gen GK Nischol, General Officer Commanding, Madhya Bharat Area. On this occasion, several senior officers of Army and Railways were present.

The MCO at Jabalpur has made great strides in improving the amenities being provided to defence commuters. The MCO was raised on April 20, 1963 to control and forward all the movements of the three services. The unit has been playing an important role in ensuring smooth and safe movement of defence VIPs, military personnel, arms, equipment and stores.

MCO, Jabalpur today boasts of a fully furnished air-conditioned Officers Waiting Room, JCOs Waiting Room and Jawans Waiting Area with CTV and comfortable seating arrangements.

input : Maj RS Sirohi.

The 57th raising day of 1 EME Centre was celebrated at 1 EME Centre, Secunderabad. On the occasion, Brig Ravi Khullar, Commandant, 1 EME Centre addressed officers, JCOs and ORs at a special sainik sammelan. Later, he presented cash awards and mementoes to outstanding sportsmen of the corps and winners of various sports events held at the centre. The Commandant’s Banner was awarded to 1 Training Battalion. Col Sunil Kumar, Commanding Officer, 1 Training Battalion received the Banner on behalf of the battalion.

input : Lt Col GS Chadha

Under the ongoing operation Sadbhavana in Jammu and Kashmir, a medical camp was conducted by the Army at Chakalsalta village in Udhampur district. The camp was inaugurated by the Commanding Officer of 18 Maratha Light Infantry.

A total of 1700 patients were examined and provided medicines over a period of two days. The people were also provided free meals and items of daily use were sold on a no-profit-no-loss basis. Goods from CSD were also made available to ex-servicemen of the area.

Chakalsalta is situated at a height of 1600 metres at the foothills of Pir Panjal Ranges. The terrain is inhospitable and the local people do not even have basic amenities like water, electricity and medical facilities. This camp was organised to provide free medical relief to people of area where even the nearest road-head is more than four-and-half hours away.

- Lt Col SPK Singh

Army organised a conference on 'Paediatric Criticare : The Changing Scenario' at Hotel Asia, Jammu under the aegis of Military Hospital, Jammu. The conference was inaugurated by Maj Gen NK Manchanda, DDMS, Northern Command. Other senior officers present on the occasion were Maj Gen Mandhata Singh, Chief of Staff, Nagrota Corps, Maj Gen Rajinder Singh, GOC of a Division and Principal of Government Medical College, Jammu.

The aim of this conference was to share experience with medical fraternity, discuss recent advances in bio-medical technology to provide better healthcare to valued clienteless, deliberate upon intensive care management of the critically ill children and to take measures for prevention of transmission of HIV infection among children.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj Gen Manchanda stressed the need for updating medical facilities. The importance of paediatric disaster management with particular relevance to trauma was emphasised during the discussion on "Trauma-Paediatric Perspective".

- Lt Col Bhanwar Rathore

A combined graduation ceremony was held at Basic Flying Training School (BFTS) on the occasion of the passing out of 172 Pilots Course for Indian Navy and Coast Guard alongwith 172 Army Pilots Course. Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani, Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of Headquarters, Central Air Command was the chief guest on the occasion.

Basic Flying Training School, established on October 28, 1987, is a unique institution where ab-initio flying training is imparted to young officers of Army, Navy and Coast Guard on HPT-32 aircraft by the highly skilled and professional pilots of the Indian Air Force. The graduation ceremony was held to mark the passing out of the 31st batch of trainees. A total of 40 officers passed out — 27 from the Army, 11 from Navy and two from Coast Guard.

All Army officers proceeded to Hakimpet for training on helicopters whereas two officers from Navy proceeded to Bidar for a conversion to fighter stream, five to Arakkonam for helicopters and four to Yelahanka for transport conversion. One officer of Coast Guard went to Yelahahanka and another to Arakkonam for further training. It was for the first time that such a large number of officers passed out successfully from this premier institution.

Air Marshal Bhavnani distributed certificates to officers and also presented trophies to those who excelled during the course. Sub Lieutenant Abhijit Bhutey from Indian Navy stood first in overall merit in the Pilots Course while Capt Sumit Kadian excelled in the Army Pilots Course.

- Sqn Ldr SM Sharma

from Allahabad

Brig JJ Manavalan, officiating Commander, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa Sub Area gave away the Badges of Sacrifice and Certificates of Honour to the next of kins of officers from Karnataka, Kerala and Goa who laid down their lives for the nation at a special function held in Bangalore.

Col GV Rao, father of late Capt ON Nath, Mrs P Sangli, wife of late Maj A Sangli, Mrs Salma Shafeeq, wife of late Maj SM Khan, Mrs R Muthanna, wife of late Maj MC Muthanna and Mr Harikumar, father of late Capt HR Kumar received awards in person. Mrs Naha Mayeker, wife of late Lt Mayekar Narender received the award in absentia. Mrs Rekha Singh, wife of Brig MP Singh, Commander, KK & G Sub Area distributed cash awards of Rs 10,000 each to next of kin.

Badge of Sacrifice and Certificate of Honour were instituted in 1999 to honour the next of kin of all officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks who laid down their lives in operations including counter-insurgency operations after August 15, 1947. The first-ever ceremony for presenting Badge of Sacrifice and Certificate of Honour was held in Delhi on Vijay Diwas on December 16, 1999.

- MN Shankar

from Bangalore

Air Marshal BK Pandey, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, Indian Air Force inaugurated the static display of aircraft at Old Airport, Bowenpally, Secunderabad. Fourteen aircraft including SU-30, Mirage-2000, MIG-29 Jaguars, AN-32, HPT-32, Avro helicopters, Kiran, and Prithvi missile were on display for public viewing. Exhibition stalls were also installed for providing information regarding job opportunities for youth in IAF. Wg Cdr KP Unnikrishnan Nair, Commanding Officer, NTS and several officers and their families were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Air Marshal Pandey was received by Air Vice Marshal DE Jonas and Gp Capt CR Prasad, Station Commander, Begumpet. The one-day event was organised under the aegis of IAF Training Command, Bangalore in coordination with College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad.

- PJ Sudhakar

from Secundrabad

Gunghora Sainik Institute has been established in Gunghora Cantonment to improve the quality of life of JCOs, ORs and their families. The institution would function like an officers’ institute. This institute is a welfare measure to provide social, recreational, sports and games facilities to break the monotony of a daily routine.

The institute was inaugurated by Brig SS Tonk, Commander, 37 Infantry Brigade. The institute will also contribute towards social interaction.

input : Lt Col AK Rohilla

The third meeting of the Army Management Studies Board (AMSB) was held at the ASC Centre and College, Bangalore under the aegis of the Headquarters, Army Training Command.

The meeting was chaired by Lt Gen JJ Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command and Chairman, AMSB. The other members of AMSB who attended the meeting included Deputy Chief of Army Staff (T & C), Director General (MP & PS) and Colonel Commandant, Adjutant General Branch, Commandant, Infantry School, Commandant, Army War College, GOC 10 Corps, Commandant, IMA, Commandant, MCTE and Directors of Indian Institutes of Management.

In his opening address, the Chairman emphasised that there is a need to incorporate the latest management thoughts, processes and techniques in the Army. He highlighted the requirement for harnessing the intellectual resources and the academic infrastructure available within and outside Army for a more effective organisational management.

AMSB has been constituted with a charter to act as a medium for exchange of knowledge and collaboration in the field of management. This board is empowered to identify, approve and fund management projects and studies.

The Army Management Studies Board is a landmark step towards understanding the role of technology and management in synergising efforts for national security.

- M N Shankar

from Bangalore

Holders Western Air Command, New Delhi and Eastern Air Command, Shillong were declared joint winners of Air Force Football Trophy 2003-2004 after their final match ended in a goalless draw. The Eastern Air Command was captained by Sergeant Rahul Bhattacharya and Western Air Command by Corporal P Sharma.

Air Cmde AK Bhardwaj, Senior Officer Inchage, Administration, Southern Air Command, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. He distributed trophies after a colourful march-past by the participating teams.

In the semi-finals, Maintenance Command, Nagpur defeated Training Command, Bangalore by 3-0. Southern Air Command, Trivandrum finished fifth and Central Air Command, Allahabad sixth. South Western Air Command, Gandhi Nagar was placed seventh and Air Headquarters Sports Command, New Delhi eighth. Over 150 players from eight teams representing all Air Commands and Air Headquarters Sports Command participated in the championship held at Southern Air Command. Fair Play Trophy of the tournament was awarded to South Western Air Command, Gandhi Nagar.

- P Rajendran

Naval Dockyard Adventure Club of Western Naval Command, Mumbai, conducted a Himalayan Trekking Camp to scale Mt Bhanoti (18515 ft) traversing through the Sunderdunga Glacier in the Himalayas. Mount Bhanoti is one of the listed peaks recorded by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Delhi.

Fortyeight Naval children including 20 girls in the age group of 12-16 years were shortlisted after a week-long rigorous training at National Park, Borivali and a night trek to Dhak Fort off Karjat.

The expedition was flagged off by Rear Admiral Basudev Bose, Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard (Mumbai). The base camp was established at Kathalia (11650 ft) in Sunderdunga Glacier after 45 kms of trekking. These children were further trained in snow-crafting, gliciding (a technique of sliding on snow) and climbing at Maiktoli Glacier at 14200 ft. A net climb of 6000 ft and return to the camp was accomplished in a single day by these young mountaineers. A total of 24 climbers including three girls scaled Mt Bhanoti together.

- Cdr AK Lambhate

Maj Gen Paramjit Singh took over the reins of Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa Area as General Officer Commanding.

The General was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in 1968 and commanded 2 Garhwal Rifles on the Line of Control. He has the distinction of commanding a brigade in the Kashmir Valley for which he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

He has been an instructor at the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun. He has also held the appointment of Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at Headquarters Southern Command. He was commanding 12 Rapid till recently.

Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal has taken over as Additional Director General, NCC. He joined National Defence Academy in January 1963.

After completion of his training at the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into Artillery in December 1966. He commanded the famous Nathula Brigade. He was selected to be the Military Assistant to the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on completion of the prestigious National Defence College Course in 1996 and, thereafter, he became Military Assistant to the Chief of the Army Staff.

Gp Capt Ayyappan Radhakrishnan, an officer of the Flying (Pilot) Branch of the Indian Air Force took over as the Station Commander and President of the 4 Air Force Selection Board, Varanasi.

Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 10, 1977, Gp Capt Radhakrishnan has the experience of commanding a station. He has had long tenures as a Flying Training Instructor, Flight Commander and Chief Flying Instructor at flying training establishments. He has also commanded a Missile Squadron and was the Chief Operations Officer at an important forward area station. He has also held the important staff appointments at Headquarters, Southern Air Command.