Thanks to better information, education and communication (IEC) programme and effective surveillance, the number of HIV / AIDS cases has stabilised in the Armed Forces. To tackle the problem, the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services initiated effective policy measures, said Maj Gen (Mrs) P Arora, Additional Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (Medical Research) while delivering the keynote address at the two-day National IEC Workshop on HIV/AIDS. It was organised jointly by AIDS Control Organisation of the Armed Forces and the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.

The first case of AIDS in Armed Forces was detected in 1990. Since then, every year 500 to 600 cases are added. During the last couple of years the number of cases has been stabilised. To counter the menace the Directorate General established 72 IEC Nodes throughout the country. Through a comprehensive education programme, the directorate was able to generate awareness among the members of the Armed Forces and their families about HIV/AIDS. Training and distribution of IEC materials helped a lot in making this effort a success.

To prevent HIV through blood transfusion, 78 hospitals were notified as Blood Testing Centres and 52 blood banks were licensed. Moreover, the authorities are administering antiretroviral therapy to patients as per the WHO norm. After complete recovery patients are taken back to the Armed Forces. Only those who do not respond to therapy are boarded out. Armed Forces do not conduct pre-recruitment medical test in respect of HIV/AIDS, said Maj Gen Arora.

The Corps of Electronic and Mechanical Engineers (EME) celebrated its diamond jubilee.

Under the guidance of Maj Gen TK Kaul, General Officer Commanding, Maharashtra and Gujarat Area, EME at Mumbai celebrated the Corps Day paying homage to its martyrs and organising various functions for their serving and retired soldiers and their families.

The corps provides engineering support to Army equipment ranging from a rifle to tanks, guns, helicopters, computers and telecommunication apparatus during war and peace.

The Central Command Communica-tion Conference was held at Headquarters Central Command in Lucknow Cantonment.

Inaugurating the conference,
Lt Gen AS Jamwal, Chief of Staff, commended the excellent job done by Corps of Signals and expressed happiness at the pace of modernisa-tion of Army communication system in Central Command.

Senior Signals Officers of various formations of Central Command deliberated on the issues relating to communication and information technology.

The Western Command Provost Unit celebrated 64th anniversary of the Corps of Military Police (CMP) in Chandimandir Cantonment.

Addressing a special sainik sammelan on the occasion, Col AR Sinha, Officer Commanding of the unit, lauded the hard work and dedication of the personnel in multifarious tasks assigned to them.

All officers of the HQ Western Command and senior officers of the station along with the retired CMP officers got together at a tea hosted in the Command HQ complex. SS Mehta, GOC-in-C, Western Command also graced the occasion.

Air Marshal N Menon, Air Officer-in-Charge of Personnel, Air Headquarters, New Delhi visited Air Force station, Avadi.

Air Marshal Menon was received by Air Cmde Sudip Mondal, Air Officer Commanding of the station. The Air Marshal visited various units and Mechanical Transport Training Institute. He also addressed the officers and airmen of the station.

A two-day joint seminar on health Management System in Armed Forces was organised at the Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre and School in Lucknow Cantonment.

The seminar was conducted in five sessions wherein experts from diverse fields of health services and management deliberated upon related issues. Experiences in operations Vijay and Parakram were discussed with focus on lessons in functioning of medical units by Brig VK Singh. Brig M Srivastava and Lt Col KM Rai elaborated innovative approach adopted in handling mass casualties. Whereas Lt Col AK Mehta spoke at length on health care challenges at training establishment, Brig. MSVK Raju highlighted combat related stress and measures to overcome it. Maj Gen RC Dhir deliberated upon issues of emerging challenges in dental health care. Apart from quality management in services hospitals, tele-medicine and experience in developing hospital information system were other subjects discussed during the seminar.

Delivering the valedictory address, Lt Gen SP Kalra, Commandant, AMC Centre and School, said that the deliberations were useful and educating serving the purpose for which the seminar was organised.

Lt Gen SP Kalra, Commandant, AMC Centre and School Lucknow visited Northern Command Hospital and addressed the officers and personnel below officers rank (PBOR).

In his address, Lt Gen Kalra spoke about various steps undertaken by AMC Centre and School and AMC Records to improve the systems of posting, promotion, cadre, classes, training emplacement of specially trained staff on the basis of super speciality, documentation, publication of Part II Order, non adjustment of pay and allowances, debit balance cases and sequence of action for timely preparation and submission of pension documents. He also discussed encashment of leave and other proposals being considered for X, Y and Z groups.

Armed Forces Medical College, Pune is fast becoming the hub of teaching and training activities. Keeping up with its tradition to provide the best to the medical fraternity, Department of Biochemistry conducted ‘National Workshop on Newer Analytical Techniques in Clinical Chemistry’. The workshop was inaugurated by Lt Gen AK Lahiri, President Honorary Surgeon and Director General of Medical Services (Army).

Highlighting the importance of laboratory in medical care Lt Gen Lahiri suggested that a laboratory test should only be asked for when it contributes to clinical decision making. He complimented the organisers for setting a precedence by bringing university Department of Chemistry, AFMC and private hospitals at one platform.

The week-long workshop provided hands-on experience in diverse laboratory techniques to 25 participants selected from medical colleges and military hospitals of India.

Lucknow Public Relations Office bagged the Rajbhasha running shield for the third year in succession at the conclusion of the Hindi Fortnight organised by Headquarters, Central Command at Lucknow Cantonment.

Maj Gen MC Bhandari MG GS, Headquarters Central Command, presented the coveted shield to Mr B Satheesh Kumar, the officiating public relations officer, at an impressive ceremony held in the Command Library premises. Encouraging the recipients, Maj Gen Bhandari said that use of simple Hindi would accelerate the development of the language.

Besides the prizes for the first three positions, consolation prizes in various competitions conducted during the Fortnight were also distributed.

Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Southern Command, Pune conducted a debate on "Changing Environment : Conducive or not to Marital Life" as a part of the Know Your Army programme.

Moderating the debate, Mrs Mohini Daljeet Singh, President, Marital Discord Cell observed that the cell was receiving cases of marital discord almost every day. In most of the cases, by the time the assistance is sought, the chances of healing the rift become dim. She urged the members of the Association to keep open the channels of communication when the relationship is strained. She informed that Marital Discord Cells are functioning at unit level to offer counselling and sort out any problem that may arise. She stressed that the Commanding Officers and their spouses should take the responsibility of ironing out the differences between couples before it is too late.

Mrs Chib of Military Intelligence School was adjudged the best speaker for the motion and Mrs Ranjana Guleraia of Military Hospital, Khadki against the motion. Mrs Shivjot Sihota, President, AWWA presided over the function and distributed the prizes.

A two-day Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on pathology was held at Command Hospital, Chandimandir. It was organised by the Command Hospital under the aegis of Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists (Northwest Chapter). About 250 delegates from various medical colleges of the region and faculty from other parts of the country attended the CME.

Inaugurating the CME, Lt Gen PK Grover Chief of Staff, Western Command, highlighted the importance of such programme for medical experts in keeping themsleves abreast of the latest developments in their discipline.

Delivering the keynote address, Lt Gen JR Bhardwaj, Director General Health Services (Armed Forces) and Colonel Commandant, Army Medical Corps urged the participants to promote research in the speciality and produce pathologists of high calibre.

Maj Gen B Sadananda Commandant of the Hospital, in his welcome address, stressed the need to bring down the cost of medicare in pathology so as to make it affordable for the poor. An exhibition of pathological equipment was also put up on the occasion.

Army Public School, Lucknow organised its 17th Founders’ Day Art and Craft Exhibition at the School Auditorium.

Lt Gen DS Chauhan, GOC-in-C, Central Command, inaugurated the exhibition. Earlier on arrival,
Lt Gen Chauhan was received and conducted around the exhibition by Col (Retd) Dinesh Sinha, Principal of the school.

The exhibition aimed at showcasing the talent of a large number of students with their projects and models on display.

The first Inter-Formation Band Competition concluded at Pune. It was organised by Southern Command at the Pune Sub area Grounds. Lt Gen Satish Satpute, Chief of Staff, Southern Command was the chief guest.

The first prize in military band category was bagged by Guards Regimental Centre, Kamptee, scoring 459.2 points while 22 Maratha Light Infantry stood first in the pipes and drums band category with 480.4 points.

In military band category, first runners-up was Artillery Centre, Hyderabad and second runners-up was Officers Training Academy, Chennai. 1st Three Gorkha Rifles and 27 Madras were adjudged the first and second runners-up respectively in the pipes and drums band category.

Six military bands and 12 pipes and drum bands participated in the competition. The winners were selected on the basis of dress, instrument maintenance, standard of band, drill movements, display and marching tunes.

Air Vice Marshal HV Hariharan, Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration, Headquarters Central Air Command, inaugurated a seminar on sports at Central Air Command, Bamrauli.

Addressing sportsmen and sports officers from various Air Force stations under Central Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Hariharan emphasised on the role of sports in the nation’s well-being. He said that games and sports require the highest co-ordination of the mental and physical faculties. He also stressed the importance of coaches in producing sportsmen of high quality and urged them to adopt modern and scientific approach towards training of various teams. The seminar was conducted by Wg Cdr BS Sharma, Secretary, Command Sports Control Board, Central Air Command.

Army Open Squash Championship was conducted at Squash Court Complex at Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad. Thirtytwo players took part in the championship.

GC Shakti Singh using a wide variety of shots defeated Capt T Nauni. Lt Gen JBS Yadava, DCOAS (T&C) who was the chief guest, gave away medals and certificates to the winners.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Leimakhong Kho Kho team of boys and girls have participated in the Regional Sports meet 2003 and won gold. The meet was held at KV Duliajan (Assam) and at KV Panchgram (Silchar). The Kho Kho boys and girls team have been champions for the last five years.

An alumnus of NDA, Pune, Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh attended the staff course at Wellington. He is a graduate of National Defence College, New Delhi. During 1980-83, the officer was on deputation to the Nigerian Navy for setting up an officers’ training academy. He also headed the Implemen-tation Cell in Ministry of Defence. Prior to this appointment, he was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Sourthern Naval Command, Kochi.

An alumnus of National Defence Academy, the General Officer was commissioned in AOC in June 1967. He has a distinguished record of service, both in field and peace. He has attended Defence Service Staff College, Higher Command Course and National Defence College. He has held a number of prestigious staff, instructional and command appointments.

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Maj Gen GK Nischol is an alumnus of National Defence College and attended the Senior International Defence Management Course in USA. The General Officer has held various key command and staff appointments during his illustrious career of 35 years.

For his meritorious and distingui-shed service rendered during operation Parakram, Maj Gen Nischol has been awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

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Lt Gen DP Singh has held various prestigious command and staff appointments in India and overseas. The General Officer’s command assignments include the command of an infantry battalion of Rajput Regiment in Jammu and Kashmir and a mountain brigade in active counter insurgency operation also in Jammu and Kashmir. He has been the Commandant of Rajput Regimental Centre, General Officer Commanding of an infantry division and Commandant of Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan. His staff appointments include Brigade Major in the western theatre, and Brigadier (Operations and Logistics) at Headquarters Southern Command.

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A fellow of the Institution of Engineers and fellow of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, he has held many prestigious appointments. He has commanded an EME battalion in the northern theatre and was also an Instructor at Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad. Brig OA James has undergone technical training in Sweden and Norway. He has also been a member of the Service Selection Board at Bhopal.