Minister of State for Defence Production and Supplies and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr O Rajagopal visited Ordnance Factory at Ambajhari.

During his stay, he visited four production sections to get a first-hand information about activities in the factory. His visit boosted the morale of the workmen of the factory.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister asked the wokers' representatives to place their problems directly before him. He appreciated the work done by the factory during Kargil conflict and the efforts taken by the management and the workers' representatives for maintaining good industrial relations in the factory. He also stressed the need to utilise the facilities to the maximum and tap the export potential of the products.

A spectacular graduation parade of 127th Fighter Controllers' course was conducted at Air Force Station, Memaura.

Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani, Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command, was the chief guest on the occasion. He pinned the badges on the uniform of the officers who passed out. He reviewed the parade and took salute at the march-past. Sqn Ldr VKS Yadav commanded the smartly turned-up parade.

Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Bhavnani commended officers for their achievements and said that they were required to shoulder higher responsibilities. He also gave away trophies to those who distinguished themselves in various fields. Flying Officer P Gokhle bagged the prestigious trophy for overall best in merit as well as a trophy for being best in academics. The trophy for being best in practical was awarded to Flying Officer Suhaib Ahmed.

Earlier on arrival at the station, Air Marshal Bhavnani was received by
Gp Capt GS Rathore, Station Commander.

The passing-out parade of 60 cadets of the Sainik School, Kazhakootam was held at the school parade ground. Governor of Kerala
Mr Sikander Bakht was the chief guest on the occasion. Keeping the best traditions of the defence forces, the cadets marched past the saluting dais while the school band played the slow march tune.

The Governor, while addressing the guests, lauded the cadets for their immaculate turn-out and perfect marching. He also called upon them to prepare themselves to take on bigger challenges in life. Cadet Capt Kapil Kareem led the passing-out parade.

Cmde APA Robin, Command Education Officer, Cdr Paul Abraham, Principal, Sainik School, Maj Rishi Raj Singh, Headmaster, senior officers, staff and parents of cadets attended the function.

The troops of 5/11 Gorkha Rifles were deployed in a field area since April 1999 and moved to a peace station after completing its tenure. On the occasion, a special sainik sammelan was organised and addressed by Brig Ashok Pillai, Commander, 82 Mountain Brigade. Bidding farewell, the Commander in his address acknowledged the difficult and challenging tenure the unit underwent. He specially mentioned long-range patrolling, construction and maintenance of defences, establishment of new surveillance and domination post, crossing of mules across a fast flowing river, establishment of formation rock-craft training area, patrol obstacle course, construction of aerial ropeway and operational track and improvised log bridges.

The Commander also complimented the unit for maintaining utmost security. He was confident that the unit would excel in the peace tenure also. The healthy and friendly interaction with local public was also praised by the Commander. Reciprocating with vote of thanks, Col Surendra Mehta, Commanding Officer, 5/11 Gorkha Rifles presented the unit memento to Brig Ashok Pillai. The sainik sammelan ended with the battalion song.

A full-fledged Sainik Institute with all modern facilities for recreation and social gathering of jawans, Junior Commissioned Officers and their families was inaugurated at Pangode Military Centre by Maj Gen Anup Singh Jamwal, General Officer Commanding Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa Area.

The institute, planned by Brig Ranjit Prasad, Station Commander, Pangode has been started with the aim of providing wholesome and quality facilites under one roof to the troops and their families. The institute, named Nirvana, provides a green and natural environment, creating a serene and peaceful ambience. The facilities provided include a well-stocked air-conditioned library, modern gymnasium for men and women, home theatre system, conference hall, launderette with four fully automatic washing machines, STD booth and cafeteria. For games and sports, a mini basket-ball court, badminton court and a skating rink are available. Apart from these, play equipment for children like swings, slides and tree house have also been made available. A nature park with a walking track is also coming up.

Brig MP Singh, Sub Area Commander and Col BP Ramesh, Deputy Commander were present at the function. Senior Army officers, jawans, Junior Commissioned Officers and their families attended the inaugural function.

Of the three Armed Forces Medical Stores Depots (AFMSDs) in the country, the one in Lucknow cantonment bagged the Best Depot award for the year 2002-2003.

Lt Gen BN Shahi, DGAFMS and Senior Colonel Commandant of Army Medical Corps presented the Best Depot Rolling Trophy to Brig GLN Swamy, Commandant of the AFMSD, Lucknow during the 61st annual Depot Commanders' Conference.

Earlier in 1983, this depot was adjudged a Model Depot. It celebrated its diamond jubilee on March 1, this year.

Albert Ekka Institute for troops and families of Cockerel Division was inaugurated by Lt Gen DS Chauhan, Army Commander, Central Command at Dipatoli cantonment.

The institute has been named in the memory of late L/Nk Albert Ekka, PVC, the great son of Jharkhand who laid down his life during Indo-Pak war in 1971. The institute has a cinema hall, cafeteria, gymnasium, two badmintion courts, library, internet cafe and video game facilities.

Lt Gen DS Chauhan also presented a cheque for Rs 10,000 to Mrs Albert Ekka who was present on the occasion with her son.

A special function to honour gardeners was organised at Headquarters Central Command in Lucknow cantonment.

The Central Command Headquarters lawn was adjudged the best among major units in the recently concluded Lucknow cantonment garden competition and flower show.

At the function, Lt Gen DS Chauhan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, honoured the gardeners, Ram Sunder (Head Mali), Shiv Ram, Budha Das, Manoj, Ramesh, Suresh, Thannanatham and Ganga Ram with trophies and cash wards.

A workshop on English language teaching was held at Army School Narangi, Guwahati in collaboration with Oxford University Press. The Chairman of the school, Brig SC Uppal lit a lamp on the occasion and spoke on the need of English language for children. He stressed the role of the workshop as a platform for learning new and effective communication skills and interaction with experts.

Ten schools under HQ Eastern Command participated in the workshop. The two - day workshop covered communicative skills, grammar and vocabulary, poetry teaching, reading and demonstration lessons.

Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1 Colaba won the 15th Youth Parliament Competition 2002-2003 conducted by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Ms Bhavanaben Chikhalia, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture and Parliamentary Affairs presided over the function and distributed prizes to the winners in New Delhi. The contingent consisting of 38 students of KV 1 under the leadership of its Principal, Mr T Punna Rao received the coveted Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Running Shield and trophy from Ms Chikhalia.

The performance of the young Parliamentarians was highly appreciated by the dignitaries present on the occasion. The first five position-holders of Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1 were Pranab Kulkarni, Hersha Bajaj, Neha Singh, Ruchika Sharma and Raksha Verma.

The purpose of the competition is to train young generation for the efficient leadership which may lead the country in the fast-changing socio-economic and geo-political situation around the globe.

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Madhvendra Singh awarded the prestigious Admiral Kohli Trophy for the year 2002 to Lt Gen RK Mehta, Commodore EME Sailing Association, President Laser Class Association of India (LCAI) and Commandant, Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering. The Admiral Kohli Trophy is presented to a personality who has made the most significant contribution towards promoting the sport of yachting in India. This honour was conferred on Lt Gen RK Mehta at the annual General Meet of the Yachting Association of India in Mumbai.

The EME Sailing Association was formed in 1964 at Secunderabad. This institution has earned an enviable reputation in the country with its team of sailors successfully participating in the Olympics, Asian Games, world championships and various ocean expeditions. In the year 2000, three medals in international sailing events were won under the stewardship of
Lt Gen RK Mehta including gold medal at ‘Sail the Gulf’ Championship at Doha, Qatar, in the radial laser event and a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2002 at Busan, South Korea.

Sainik School, Nagrota, Jammu celebrated its annual day. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was the chief guest on the occasion. An impressive guard of honour marked the curtain raiser followed by the inauguration of art and craft, science and computer exhibitions. Cdr SB Ray, Principal, read out the annual report. A colourful and enthralling cultural programme was also presented by students.

The President of Central Command Army Wives' Welfare Association (CCAWWA),
Mrs Meera Chauhan visited Asha School for handicapped and mentally challenged children in Lucknow cantonment.

During the visit, Mrs Chauhan evinced keen interest in the facilities available. She interacted with the school staff and enquired about the welfare of children.

Asha School provides facilities like vocal training, physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy to children of service personnel. The school also makes an effort to train children to become independent.

In the annual inter-battalion hockey championship of Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre and School in Lucknow cantonment, No. 2 Technical Training Battalion (2TT) defeated No. 1 Technical Training Battalion convincingly by a margin of 3-0 and lifted the prestigious championship trophy for the fourth year in succession.

Dominating throughout the final match, No.2 TT got its first goal through Recruit HS Dubey in the 14th minute. The tally at half time was 1-0. The second goal was scored in the 21st minute of the second half by Recruit AR Methi. Four minutes later, Sep Pradeep scored the third goal in a penalty stroke. In all, five teams contested for the championship.

Col AK Nayak, Commanding Officer of the winning team received the glittering trophy from Col PC Sharma.

Guards won the Army handball championship. The final played at the MEG Centre, Bangalore was a thriller to watch in which Guards team trounced MEG Centre by 33-29 goals.

Brig JJ Manavalen, Commandant, MEG Centre was the chief guest and presented the trophy to the winning team and medals to individuals.

Eight teams namely MEG, AOC, Artillery, Dogra, EME, Guards, MRC and Signals participated in the six-day championship. Hav RB Mishra scored 7 goals for Guards while
Hav Sushil scored 15 goals for MEG & Centre.

Born at Varanasi, the General had his education from Colvin Taluqudars' College, Lucknow before joining the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun. He was commissioned in the Twentyfirst Battalion of the Rajput Regiment on December 21, 1969. An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Maj Gen Parmar is a post-graduate in Military Science and has an M.Phil degree.

Maj Gen Parmar has a rich operational experience. For his devotion and dedication to service, he has been awarded Vishisht Seva Medal. During his services, he has had the distinction of commanding one of the finest infantry brigades in the Western Sector. He also held prestigious appointments at Command Headquarters.