The most heartening news about the Territorial Army since its inauguration in 1949 was the announcement in the first week of December that the first Territorial Army Brigade was under training. During the Territorial Army Week in November the problems and progress of this Citizen Army were reviewed in detail and the functions organised at various centres gave the people an opportunity to see the Territorial Army units at first hand. The impression created by the men of the Territorial Army throughout the country on this occasion was uniformly satisfactory and helped to confirm the view that the Territorial Army was shaping well as a second line of defence. Although the pace of recruitment had not come up to expectations and only 60 per cent of the strength intended to be attained by 1952 under the staggered scheme of formation of units had been reached, there were definite indications that this too would improve in the near future.The Deputy Defence Minister at his Press Conference in Delhi sounded a hopeful note in regard to the response from industrialists who can contribute the largest quota of men to the urban units of the Territorial Army.

But while the problem of recruitment is being tackled, the training of those units that have already been formed is going ahead unhampered. The formation of the Brigade is the biggest step in giving full and intensive training to the Territorial Army and will give to the units which form part of the Brigade an opportunity to do ‘exercise’ which do not normally come within the scope of their annual training. In addition, it will develop a spirit of camaraderie between men of different units so that, even though stationed at distant places they may feel themselves to be members of one organisation. In short, they will acquire the Territorial spirit.

During his visit of inspection to the Brigade on December 13, General Cariappa C.-in-C., Indian Army, had a word of praise for the Territorial Army men. But to outside observers too it was apparent that these were no mere "Week-end Soldiers" but men who could be depended upon in an emergency.

The Deputy Defence Minister, Shri Satish Chandra, and a party of Members of Parliament visited the Training Camp of the 1st Territorial Army Brigade, near Delhi Cantonment.

On arrival, the Deputy Defence Minister was presented a Guard of Honour by a Territorial Army contingent after which he and the Members of Parliament went round the Camp and visited all the units. They were particularly interested in the arrangements made for the Jawans’ food and their information rooms where facilities were provided for recreation and reading.

A demonstration was given on this occasion to show how the Territorial Army would render aid to the civil authorities in an emergency.

The Deputy Defence Minister was pleased with the keenness exhibited by the T.A. men in military training.

Addressing the Territorial Army men, the Deputy Defence Minister said that it was the duty of every citizen of India to defend the country, and it was a tribute to their sense of patriotism that they had joined the Territorial Army and were preparing themselves for the service of the country. He congratulated them on the standard of efficiency attained by them for, according to him, they could easily be compared to the troops of the regular Army.

Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Tata Sons Ltd., jointly contributed a sum of Rs. 2,500 to the Flag Day Fund for the benefit of ex-Servicemen and their families and of Serving Officers and men of the Armed Forces.

Air-Commodore A.M. Engineer, DFC, who has taken over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Headquarters, from Air Vice-Marshal S. Mukerjee during the latter’s absence out of India for attending a course at the Imperial Defence College in the United Kingdom, has been granted the acting rank of Air Vice Marshal with effect from December 17, 1952.

Air Vice-Marshal Aspy Merwan Engineer, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, is the second senior-most Officer, in the Indian Air Force. Prior to taking over his present direction of the District Planing Officer, Ghazipur, an Ex-Serviceman himself with rural outlook and bias - they built up a new road with their own efforts.