The Additional Director General, Army Postal Service corps (APS) Maj Gen SK Sen visited the Army Postal Service Centre, Kamptee, near Nagpur. On arrival, Maj Gen Sen and Mrs Dolon Sen were received by the Commandant APS Centre, Col AK Shori and Mrs Lokbala Shori.

Maj Gen Sen was on his maiden visit to the city since taking over as the head of the Army Postal Services. He inspected all the sections of the APS Centre, APS Record Office and P&T Administration Cell.

A special meeting of the Quality Circle, APS Centre was held in which the General Officer was briefed on the training activities at the Centre. Later, addressing a special sainik sammelan, Maj Gen Sen put emphasis on devotion to duty and hard work by one and all to boost the image of the APS. He also advised the soldiers on matters relating to career progression, savings and other family matters.

President of the Army Wives Welfare Association, APS Corps, Mrs Dolon Sen visited the Family Welfare Centre and was briefed on the welfare activities being conducted there.

-Wg Cdr SN Mukerjee

from Nagpur

As part of the Infantry Day celebrations a wreath laying ceremony was organized at Smritika- the war memorial in Lucknow Cantonment. Maj Gen MC Bhandari, MGGS, HQ Central Command, laid the wreath on behalf of all officers of Central Command. Lt Gen DS Chauhan, GOC-in-C, Central Command, in his message commended the infantrymen saying that their Infantry was considered one of the fittest and most experienced in the world. Special sainik sammelan and barakhana as well as social and cultural evenings formed part of celebrations in all infantry units and formations.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj Gen MC Bhandari said the infantry had been tried and tested through a series of wars and skirmishes with their adversaries, counter-insurgency operations and maintenance of vigil all along the borders. Maj Gen Bhandari also stated that the infantry soldier was put to an ultimate test during Operation Vijay. All the four Param Vir Chakra, nine Maha Vir Chakra and six Kirti Chakra awardees of Operation Vijay were from the Infantry. Of the 55 Vir Chakra, 50 were awarded to Infantry men, in addition to a host of other gallantry awards.

-Maj Dhirendra Ojha

from Lucknow

Inaugurating the three-day conference, Lt Gen DS Chauhan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, said that participation of representatives from peripheral formations and medical units would yield necessary feedback and inputs which would help solving problems faced by formations and units in providing health-care to the clientele.

Lt Gen BN Shahi, Director General Medical Services (Army) said the conference deliberated upon issues that were of concern not only to AMC but also to every member of the Armed Forces, both serving and retired, and their families. Maj Gen RT Awasthi, Officiating Commandant of AMC Centre and School, delivered the vote of thanks.

A large number of top brass of the Armed Forces Medical Services, including Surgeon Vice Admiral SP Malhotra, DGMS (Navy), Air Marshal SK Dham, DGMS (Air Force), and
Lt Gen JL Sharma, Director General Dental Services participated in the conference. Lt Gen A Natrajan, Adjutant General, Army Headquarters, also attended the conference.

- PIB (DW)

The flag of 52 Rashtriya Rifles was hoisted by Lt Col MS Yadav, Commanding Officer on October 1 to formally commence the raising of this new counter-insurgency battalion at Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regimental Centre, Jabalpur. Brig DN Varma, Commandant, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regimental Centre alongwith officers and JCOs of the Regimental Centre was also present on this historical occasion.

The crossing on Cariappa road near PCDA office in Lucknow Cantonment has been adorned by the Lucknow Cantonment Board with the bust of Nk Jadhunath Singh of the first Battalion of the Rajput Regiment. He gave the supreme sacrifice during the 1947-48 Kashmir operations and was awarded Param Vir Chakra (posthumously). The bust was ceremoniously unveiled by Lt Gen DS Chauhan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command. The brass band of the Rajput Regimental Centre, Fatehgarh, and the pipe band of 11 GRRC Lucknow added colour to the event by playing martial tunes.

During the 1947-48 Jammu and Kashmir operation, Nk Jadhunath Singh of the then 1 Rajput and his section were deployed on a vital post located on the flank of Naushera defence. The enemy after putting four frontal attacks on this post and having failed, switched their main effort to capture this post. Nk Jadhunath Singh effectively directed the firepower of his section on the enemy. When the enemy continued to advance and was only a few yards away, he rushed out of his sangar armed with just a stengun and charged towards them. A chance bullet from the retreating raiders killed him.

Thus Nk Jadhunath Singh saved his post from being over-run at the most critical time.

-Maj Dhirendra Ojha

from Lucknow

On this auspicious occasion a special sainik sammelan was held in which DDEME Vajra Corps addressed the officers, JCOs, Ors and civilians and appreciated the contributions of the EME personnel in maintaining and upkeeping the equipment of the Indian Army.

In recognition of the bravery and devotion to duty 2 Ashok Chakra, 4 Kirti Chakra, 1 Vir Chakra, 3 Shaurya Chakra, 1 Padma Bhushan, 4 Padma Shri, 17 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 40 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 33 Sena Medals, 85 Vishisht Sena Medals and 713 COAS Commendation Cards had been awarded over the years to Corps of EME personnel.

The workshop is the first fully licensed ISO 9002 unit of the Indian Army, and has been providing effective base overhaul and engineering support to the field formations of the Eastern Sector both during operations and peace. The workshop achieved exceptionally high output during the production year 2001-2002, with a capacity utilization of 128.20%.

-Naresh V Vig with Maj SK Gautam

While congratulating the trainee officers at the graduation ceremony, Air Vice Marshal HV Hari Haran, also commended all personnel of the Air Force Station for the outstanding achievements of the base.

Badge award ceremony of the largest ever course conducted by the College was held in the form of Ceremonial Parade organised at the Station Parade Ground. The smartly turned up parade was commanded by Sqn Ldr VKS Yadav. In the evening at a ceremonial graduation dinner, certificates, medallion and trophies were awarded to meritorious trainees. The trophy for overall best in merit was bagged by Flying Officer ND Golba. He was also adjudged ‘best in academics’. The ‘best in practical’ award went to Flying Officer K Vindo.

Passing out of Flying Officer MS Rathore, son of Gp Capt GS Rathore who is presently in Command of the Air Force Station, Memaura, was a unique feature.

-Maj Dhirendra Ojha

from Lucknow

The Military Police has a record of distinguished performance during pre and post-Independence era. During 1971 operations, they handled about one lakh Pakistani prisoners of war. Its motor cycle display team Shwet Ashvas, was mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records when in 1999 it put 151 persons on 11 motor-cycles over a distance of 215 metres. True to their motto, Seva tatha sahayata, the "White belts" are prominently visible everywhere controlling, directing and ensuring smooth conduct of operations.

Maj Dhirendra Ojha from Lucknow adds : On the occasion a vehicle "Green Card" camp was inaugurated by Lt Gen DS Chauhan, GOC-in-C, Central Command at Surya Auditorium in Lucknow Cantonment. Central Command Provost Unit in association with Lucknow Police organised the three-day camp of making Green Cards for the vehicles of defence personnel and their dependants.

Speaking on the occasion, Col RP Singh, Commanding Officer of the Central Command Provost Unit elaborated the history of CMP. Presiding over the ceremony, Director General of Police (UP) Mr Radhe Mohan Shukla, IPS, termed the camp as an effort in the right direction. He also handed over a Green Card to Lt Gen DS Chauhan which was made for his son Capt Prakram Chauhan.

- PIB (DW)

A workshop on employment opportunities for youth was organised at St. Joseph’s College-Zakhama, Nagaland by Assam Rifles. Maj Gen DP Merchant, IG Assam Rifles was the chief guest on the occasion. He urged the youth to "dare to dream" for achieving excellence. After achieving the desired goals they should participate in social and community service, he reminded them.

The Assam Rifles donated a computer for the college. The workshop was held to give career guidance in the Armed Forces, Army Medical and Nursing Service, Information Technology and civil services. About 350 girls and boys attended the workshop.

input: Maj SD Goswami

The passing-out parade of 107 airmen, who underwent fitter training for 36 week in the maintenance of transport vehicles at the Mechanical Transport Training institute, Air Force Station Avadi, was held. Leading Aircraftman S Dutta, the best airman in general service training, commanded the parade.

The airmen who passed out would join as mainstream mechanics for Air Force transport fleet all over the country. Air Cmde HS Garkal, Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Avadi took the salute and addressed the airmen. He also presented trophies to the airmen who excelled during the training.

-V Sankaran

from Chennai

ATNKK&G Area of Indian Army has initiated a career guidance programme for the college students of Kerala. The programme aims to provide guidance to students through personality development training to achieve competence for selection in the officer cadre of the Armed Forces and the corporate sector.

A presentation on this programme was recently arranged for the Chief Minister and Minister for Education of Kerala by the HQrs ATNKK&G area at Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram. Career guidance and personality development programme will be planned in various colleges in the state with the cooperation of the State Education Department.

-P Rajendran

from Thiruvanathapuram

Air Marshal LK Verma, Director General Medical Services(Air) inaugurated a modern artificial limb sub-centre at the Air Force Command Hospital in Bangalore.

The new, sub-centre would help wounded soldiers and others who had undergone amputation. They would no longer be required to go to Pune for artificial limbs. The Pune centre provided artificial limbs to over 40,000 people, and with the opening of the new centre the pressure on it would ease.

The estimated cost of wood-based artificial limb was between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,800 and that of carbon fibre between Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000. The estimate for establishing the Bangalore sub-centre was Rs 1.20 crore, but the work was completed in Rs 98 lakh, the Registrar of the hospital, GP Capt HSR Arora said.

-PIB(DW)

Mr PK Misra, Member Ordnance Factory Board, Kolkata stressed the need for concerted action by all the concerned agencies in order to fill the technology gap in certain key areas of defence production and supplies. He was addressing the delegates of the ‘Symposium on Advances in Fuze Technology’ held at the Ordnance Factories Staff College, Ambajhari, Nagpur. Apart from senior officers of Ordnance Factories, the delegates at the symposium included representatives from various Research and Development units, Quality Assurance establishments and industrial units.

Fuze is a mechanical or electronic device fitted in a projectile which initiates and functions at a pre-determined time or place. As such, it has a direct and critical bearing on the quality and reliability of ammunition in terms of its precision, versatility and effectiveness. The basic objective of the symposium was to obtain an update on fuze technology as well as create an awareness amongst the concerned agencies and organisations regarding the need and avenues for collaborative efforts in this field.

Speaking in one of the sessions of the symposium, Mr CR Jain, Member Ordnance Factory Board, Kolkata delineated the contours of a long, term technology vision and emphasised the need for purposeful action to translate the vision into tangible results and achievements. In his welcome address, Mr AO Abraham, Principal Director OFSC stated that the symposium was held in the context of the challenges posed by a highly competitive and dynamic environment which was dominated by three Cs- customer, competition and change. He added that the objective of bringing experts from the industry, research and users on a common platform at the symposium was to initiate a process of technology scanning and sharing in order to focus on the current trends as well as futuristic requirements.

The technical sessions at the symposium were chaired by Mr RA Agarwal, Additional General Manager, Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore. Mr CR Jain directed the panel discussion. The symposium was conducted by Mr Priya Ranjan, Additional Principal Director OFSC.

-Wg Cdr SN Mukerjee

from Nagpur

The Army Technology Board has been instituted by the Government with a charter to act as a medium for exchange of knowledge and collaboration in the field of technology. The Directors of Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore besides other senior Army officers attended the meeting. The General Officer also visited all faculties of the MCEME and the Simulator Development Division which develops and inducts state-of-the-art simulators.

Keeping pace with the advances in the frontline technologies, MCEME is now equipped with modern laboratories like CAD/CAM laboratory, Multimedia Laboratory and CBT classrooms to ensure quality training.

-K Asaiah

from Hyderabad

Mount Leo Pargial (22, 222ft) is a formidable massif which overlooks the Western valley of Tibet. One of the three highest peak of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh, this peak has for several years seen many teams attempt to fly their flags aloft its raging icy summit.

Recently, the flags of the Army, Western Command and Dogra Scouts flew resilient atop its zenith, as motivated members of the Dogra Scouts team stood atop its snow-covered pinnacle.

This expedition was conceptualised by Brig Rajinder Singh, Commander 36 Sector and planned and executed by Maj Sanjay Agarwal and his intrepid team of three officers, two JCOs and 22 jawans of the Dogra Scouts.

The team was given a festive welcome at Sumdo on its return and the members flagged in by Lt Gen HS Kanwar, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Western Command.

All earlier expeditions to this peak were attempted during summer months while Dogra Scouts assaulted the summit in late September when the winter had already set in. This battalion has the singular feat of having had five soldiers summit the Mount Everest and Annapurna in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

input: Capt Manish Asthana

A cross country run for youth of remote hamlet of Maram in Manipur was organised by 15 Assam Rifles. Despite foggy weather about 300 boys and girl participated. The theme of the run was "Drug-Free World".

The run was flagged off by Col HS Ratnaparkhi, Commandant, 15 Assam Rifles. While flagging off the run, the Commandant urged the youth to do regular physical exercise as this would keep them away from the vices like drugs and alcohol. Nipuni Kayina, a class XII student from Rikhumai Taphou village stood first among boys and Ms Athili Komuhra a class XI student from New Makhan village came first among girls.

input: Maj SD Goswami

Mrs Meera Subramaniyam, President Regional AWWA Jodhpur, on assumption of the new appointment, set out to improve the living condition for families and children of the troops who are away at the borders. Towards this end, she visited each of married accommodation at the station including Banar, Shikargarh, Hamid Bagh, Ajmer Lines, Lancer Lines and JSI Lines and interacted with the families. She promised to increase the number of water trucks supplying water to the family quarters and the number of STD -PCO booths. She also promised to introduce mobile vegetable vans.

She visited the Aasha AWWA School which was inaugurated during her tenure as the local AWWA President in 1998. She was greatly impressed with the vast strides it has made to bring about quality changes in the lives of mentally challenged children of the defence services personnel.

-Maj Xavier M Thomas

from Jodhpur

The Maintenance Command, Nagpur has won the Air Force Table Tennis Championship 2002-2003 which concluded at Southern Air Command Headquarters. Western Command, New Delhi was the runners up. LAC N Yagnic of Air HQ, Sports Command bagged gold medal for the singles. Sgt A Deshmukh of South Western Air Command got the silver.

-P Rajendran