Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the premier Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has bagged the coveted national R&D Award for its successful development of Radar Video Generator (RVG) and Scenario Simulation Generator (SSG) used for important Tactical Control Radar. Col HS Shankar, Director (R&D) BEL received the award from Mr Bachchi Singh Rawat, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology. This award has been instituted by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology for outstanding R&D achievements.

Due to US sanctions, BEL was unable to source RVG and SSG from international market. With its strong R&D base and commitment for indigenisation, the company was able to develop and supply the same to the Indian defence forces in the shortest possible time.

BEL is one of the few manufacturing companies, both in private and public sector, spending more than 5% of its turnover on R&D. The strong R&D base of the company pays dividend in terms of indigenisation and development of critical component and equipment to meet with the demands of civilian and defence markets. During 2000-01, out of a turnover of Rs. 1715 crores, products worth about Rs. 900 crore were based on the in-house R&D designs.

In the past, BEL has won the DSIR National R&D awards in 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1998.

As part of the 53rd anniversary of NCC at NCC Group Headquarters, Pondicherry, Dr (Mrs) Rajani Rai, Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry inspected a guard of honour presented by the three wings of NCC under the supervision of Col PB Joneja, Group Commander.

The major attraction of the function was inauguration of an exclusive NCC Air Squadron Hangar which has been constructed by the Government of Pondicherry at the cost of Rs 96 lakh. The flight complex hangar is 34 metre long, 25 metre wide and can accommodate three gliders and two microlight aircraft or two gliders and four microlight aircraft. The hangar is well lit and has an integral wellequipped air-conditioned classroom-cum-pre flight briefing room, instrument labs, engine workshop, airframe workshop and
rest room for the cadets and technicians.

The hangar was handed over to Col PB Joneja by the Lieutenant Governor. She also inaugurated the flying activities for 1(Pondicherry) Air Squadron. The first flight by microlight aircraft was flown by Wg Cdr K Parthiban which was followed by a yet another glider and microlight flight by Gp Capt G S Baweja. The Pondicherry Air Squadron is now provided with two zenair microlight aircrafts and one glider.

input : Col PB Joneja

Army rushed to provide relief and succour to the civilian brethren in a sleepy village of Lophakpu near Kalaktang in Arunachal Pradesh. This time it was to save the precious lives of people who were the victims of food poisoning.

In the tragedy, sixtyeight villagers were affected out of whom three children died. On realising the grave situation, people approached the Army for help. The Army quickly organised its resources and despatched a medical team of twentythree persons including doctors and para medical staff with first aid kits and life saving drugs.

All possible medical care was provided at the sleepy village. A total of sixtyfive affected people were treated at primary health centre with the assistance of the Army and thirtyone were discharged after the treatment. Thirtyfour serious victims were evacuated to Military Hospital, Tenga which is approximately 80 kms from the village.

The victims — from one year old child to eighty year old-were also taken care of by the doctors of Army.