Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy visited Air Force station, Udhampur. He reviewed the progress of construction of accommodation for hostile climatic conditions at Nathatop and various other projects at Udhampur base. The visit boosted the morale of the personnel deployed at this high altitude operational area where temperature dips below freezing point.

Lt Gen Lionel Piyananda Balagalle, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of Sri Lankan Army accompanied by his wife Mrs Gnaha Balagalle arrived in Chennai on the last leg of his four- day visit to India. They were received at the airport by Maj Gen Paramjit Singh, GOC, ATNKK & G Area and his wife. This was the first visit of Lt Gen Balagalle after becoming Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka.

Gen Balagalle's visit assume significance in the backdrop of agreement in principle for a joint defence cooperation mechanism.

The Intelligence Corps of the Army celebrated its 61st anniversary with usual pomp and gaiety in Chandimandir cantonment.

The occasion was marked by a high-tea which was attended by Lt Gen PK Grover, Chief of Staff, HQ Western Command. A large number of officers of Chandimandir Military Station, Intelligence Corps veterans and officers from Police and civil intelligence agencies were present. A barakhana was hosted for all ranks and their families.

Brig VK Bhutani, Brigadier General Staff (Intelligence) at the Command HQ, exhorted men to continue to work with dedication, zeal and alacrity. Gen NC Vij, Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen SS Mehta, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Richard Khare, Director General of Military Intelligence and Brig Dalip Kapur, Colonel Commandant, Intelligence Corps lauded the services of the corps and extended their compliments to all ranks and their families.

The week-long celebrations of Navy Week at Kochi came to a close with the most sought-after Navy Ball. The highlight of the Navy Ball was the Navy Queen contest. Of the 14 participants who registered for the contest, 10 made it for the finals. The traditional Silver Ball was set rolling by Vice Admiral Yashwant Prasad, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. While Ms Nidhi Iyer was adjudged the Navy Queen, Ms Elizabeth and Ms Abhilasha Thakur won the first and second runners-up positions.

A combined valedictory function was held at Basic Flying Training School (BFTS), Bamrauli, on passing out of 173 Pilots Course consisting of Indian Army and Navy officers. Air Marshal BK Pandey, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, Air Force was the chief guest on the occasion.

The valedictory function was held to mark the successful completion of the 32nd batch of trainees. All the successful officers would proceed to next stage for further training.

Air Marshal BK Pandey distributed certificates to passed out officers and also presented trophies to those who excelled in the course. Sub Lt Vikram Kattoju of Indian Navy stood first in overall merit in the Pilots Course and Capt Tanuj Seth achieved honours in the Army Pilots Course.

Lt Gen DS Chauhan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, visited various Army establishments at Allahabad.

The General was briefed on operational readiness of the Red Eagle Division. He also visited HQ Allahabad Sub Area and Selection Centre East and was briefed on the activities of these establishments.

Mrs Meera Chauhan, President of Central Command Army Wives Welfare Association, visited Asha School. She was briefed on various welfare projects being undertaken for troops and their families.

Maj Gen Paramjit Singh, GOC ATNKK & G Area, Chennai met Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms J Jayalalitha. He thanked the Chief Minister for the measures taken by the state government for the welfare of serving personnel and ex-servicemen.

Ms Jayalalitha gave directions to make available government land at nominal rates for the establishment of ECHS polyclinics in non-military stations of Vellore, Tirunelveli and Coimbatore.

Twenty-five children from Kashmir visited Mumbai, Agra and Delhi on an education tour. The tour was sponsored by Army under the project Sangam. The children met the Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen Hari Prasad and President, AWWA, Northern Command, Mrs Lakshmi Hari Prasad at Udhampur.

The tour that started from Uri included a visit to Mumbai where the children were guests of Western Naval Command. They experienced a day at sea and made a trip to Essel World. The next stop was Agra where they visited Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort and other places of historical importance. The halt in Delhi saw the children interacting with the President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Chief of the Army Staff, Gen NC Vij and President AWWA, Mrs Rita Vij. The children also visited Red Fort, Raj Ghat and Qutab Minar.

Maj Gen TK Kaul, GOC Maharashtra and Gujarat Area, visited Guards Regimental Centre (GRC), Kamptee.

During his visit, the General inaugurated Institute for Other Ranks at GRC. The institute would provide recreational facilities for jawans and their families. Housed in the institute are an anteroom equipped with a large screen television and music system, cafeteria, tuck shop, gymnasium and a cyber cafe.

A Health Camp was organised by Navy at village Akhepura near Jaipur. The camp was inaugurated by Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Chief of Naval Staff, in the presence of Lt Gen BN Shahi, DGAFMS and Surg Vice Admiral VK Singh, DGMS (Navy).

Specialists in medicine, surgery, eye, ENT, gynaecology, dermatology, dentistry, paediatrics and radiology from Navy participated in the camp. Laboratory services, field sonography, minor OT and pharmacy were extended to almost 3500 local people. Besides medical aid, household gifts were also distributed at the camp.

Indian Naval Hospital Ship (INHS) Sanjivani organised a blood donation camp. The hospital has a district level blood bank equipped with latest instruments and technology. Rear Admiral Pradeep Kaushiva, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, inaugurated the camp by donating the first unit of blood. INHS Sanjivani collected 50 units of whole blood from voluntary donors comprising officers, sailors, and civilians.

Mr Rumandla Ramchandriah, Convener, First Sub-Committee of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language (CPOL), accompanied by Mrs Gurcharan Kaur, MP, visited HQ, 17 Mountain Division to inspect the promotion of Hindi in official work.

During the inspection, the Headquarters was represented by Maj Gen KN Bhatt, and Ms Madhuresh Mathur, Director Official Language (OL). Mr Ashok Kumar, Director (OL) respresented the Ministry of Defence.

The Committee expressed its satisfaction over the progress made in the use of Hindi in various offices of the Divisional Headquarters.

Mrs Lakshmi Hari Prasad, President, AWWA, Northern Command visited Asha School, Pathankot and spent time with the children.

Asha School, Pathankot has been taking care of special children of service personnel, ex-servicemen and civilians. At present, there are 67 children with different disabilities. Mrs Lakshmi Hari Prasad appreciated the Chairperson and the staff of the school for their efforts. She was happy to see the progress being made by children and assured full support to the school.

Air Force Station, Avadi will have a swimming pool soon. The foundation stone has been laid recently. Air Marshal RC Mahadik, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration, Air Headquarters and Air Cmde Sudip Mondal, Air Officer Commanding, Avadi were present at the ceremony.

Air Marshal Mahadik went round various units and interacted with the personnel of the station. Mrs Tilottama Mahadik visited Air Force School and Medicare Centre and also interacted with senior members of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association.

The 323 Air Defence Regiment established a Gurukul Boys Hostel in the regiment premises. It was inaugurated by Brig Kuldip Singh, Commander, 785 (I) AD Brigade.

The hostel has been established to facilitate the reach of quality education to the needy and deserving children of other ranks who make efforts for admission to Military/Sainik Schools, NDA and other vocational colleges. The hostel also helps to develop high moral values, discipline, physical fitness, a positive outlook towards life, self-dependence and a sense of responsibility among the inmates.

A toy train for children was commissioned at Vatika, an eco-friendly park located at Chandimandir Cantonment, by Mrs Madhu Mehta, President, Army Wives Welfare Association (Western Command).

The children were delighted to have an inaugural joy-ride in the toy train. Christened as Shivalik Express, the train has lots of item of fun for the children. Vatika Park already has a variety of entertainment facilities like musical fountain, bouncy Mickey, walkway, cascade and gazebo.

Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) Valsura conducted a visit of the inmates of MP Shah Vridha Ashram to INS Valsura as part of their Sparsh programme. Sixtyfive inmates participated in this programme.

On arrival at Valsura, the senior citizens of the Ashram were given a warm reception by Cmde NN Kumar, Commanding Officer, INS Valsura and Mrs Uma Kumar, President, NWWA Valsura. The ladies presented a variety entertainment programme. NWWA also distributed blankets to all the inmates.

Corps of Air Defence Artillery celebrated its second Reunion recently. To mark this occasion, an offshore sailing-cum-windsurfing expedition from Paradeep to Gopalpur was organised. The expedition was flagged off by Maj Gen RK Sudan, Commandant, Army Air Defence College.

The Inter-unit Cricket Tournament 2003-04 under Maintenance Command for Kanpur Area was inaugurated by Gp Capt RS Sharawat, Commander, Air Force Station, Manauri. The tournament was played between Chakeri team from Kanpur led by Flt Lt Anand Surti Bhavi and the Manauri team led by Flg Offr BD Choudhary.

Air Force Station, Kanpur team won the toss and elected to bat and scored 150 runs losing five wickets in 25 overs. Cpl Fenu was the highest scorer with 48 runs in 38 balls.

In reply, Air Force Station, Manauri successfully chased the target of 151 runs in 22 overs and won the match by eight wickets. Sgt Upadhaya KK notched 82 runs in 71 balls. The other star performer for the Manauri team was medium-pacer Cpl Mishra RS, who made a hat-trick.

Commissioned into 102 Engineer Regiment in December 1966, Lt Gen SP Raman, has had the distinction of commanding this Regiment as well as 411 (Independent) Parachute Field Company.

The General Officer has held a variety of command, instructional and staff appointments which include the position of Defence Attache in the Embassy of India, Ankara (Turkey).

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Serving as Commander, HQ Technical Group EME, the General Officer envisioned and guided efforts to make the Technical Group a "think tank" of the Corps of EME.