Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, Chief of Air Staff visited Air Force Station, Tezpur. He was accompanied by Mrs Harveen Krishnaswamy, President, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA). On their arrival, they were received by Air Cmde PK Barbora, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Tezpur, Mrs Arundhati Barbora, President, AFWWA (local) and other senior officers of the station.

During his stay, the Air Chief visited various units and operational squadrons. He also attended various social functions. Mrs Harveen Krishnaswamy visited the AFWWA complex and was immensely pleased with welfare and educational activities being carried out at the station.

Mrs Jasbir Mohinder Singh, President, AWWA inaugurated a Sainik Institute at Corps Operating Signal Regiment, Gajraj Corps. The institute has a wide variety of indoor and outdoor games, a library and a well-equipped gymnasium. Centrally located, with a seating capacity of approximately 450, the institute has been set up under the guidance of the Station Commander, Brig Brajesh Kumar.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Mohinder Singh, GOC, Gajraj Corps said that the institute was set up to provide better facilities to the jawans and their families and also to provide a platform for healthy interaction amongst them. He said that this was an effort to nurture creativity of the children of the jawans. This was the second such establishment in the chain of Sainik Institutes in 4 Corps Zone Military Stations. The first institute was established at Misamari Cantt. Interacting with the families, the President, Gajraj AWWA emphasised the need for optimal utilisation of the facilities at the institute.

A strategic and operations group meeting was held at the HQ Gajraj Corps, Tezpur. The meeting was chaired by Mr PK Datta, Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, and attended by heads of Intelligence agencies operating in Assam. The operations group meeting was presided over by Lt Gen Mohinder Singh, GOC, Gajraj Corps.

The meeting reviewed the security situation in the state, especially the security cover extended to oil installations, railway tracks and other vital points. It stressed the importance of civil-defence cooperation and measures required to rejuvenate it. It was decided in the meeting that wearing of Army uniforms by unauthorised agencies and civilians should be dealt with severely.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Mohinder Singh highlighted the changing trends of insurgency in North-East and the stellar achievements of security forces. He thanked the government functionaries for their constant support in curbing insurgency and hoped that peace would prevail in Assam soon.

Mr PK Dutta thanked the GOC, Gajraj Corps for hosting the meet. He complimented the security forces for their achievements and assured them of all help and cooperation from the government.

Lt Gen GS Sihota, GOC-in-C, Southern Command made a two-day visit to Gajraj Corps. He was received at the airport by Lt Gen Mohinder Singh, GOC, Gajraj Corps and Air Cmde PK Barbora, AOC, Air Force Station, Tezpur.

Lt Gen Sihota, who is the Senior Colonel Commandant of Regiment of Artillery and Colonel Commandant of Army Aviation, visited some Artillery and Army Aviation units deployed in Gajraj Corps during his visit.

Mrs Yasmin Madon, President of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional), accompanied by local President, Mrs Sangeeta Ahuja, officials and other AFWWA members and a team of medical officers visited the Destitute Home run by the Missionaries of Charity in Shillong.

During the visit, Wg Cdr Girish Chandra, SMO and Sqn Ldr Y Rizvi, MO 509 SU examined the inmates and provided treatment to the patients.

Mrs Madon stressed the need for regular counselling by social workers to the inmates for overcoming their depression. She assured them of regular medical help. She distributed clothes and sweets to the inmates on the occasion.

The Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional), Eastern Air Command conducted a workshop for pre-primary teachers in Shillong. The aim was to highlight the role of teachers in moulding children. Mrs Yasmin Madon, President, AFWWA (R) inaugurated the workshop which saw a participation of twenty teachers. Addressing the participants, Mrs Madon spoke on the role of a teacher in the growth and development of a child. She hoped that the workshop would help to widen the knowledge of the teachers. Mrs Sangeeta Ahuja, President, AFWWA (local), highlighted the benefits of the workshop.

The workshop demonstrated the use of various teaching aids. The code of conduct for teachers, importance of parent-teacher association and inculcation of good habits in children were also discussed during the workshop. A psychologist, senior medical officer and specialist teachers delivered lectures on the occasion.

A certificate of merit was given for the best presentation and best demonstration at the workshop. Mrs Shashi Agnihotri was awarded for the best presentation.

A recruitment rally was organised at Ukhrul in Manipur under the aegis of HQ, 10 Sector, Assam Rifles at the behest of local youths who were keen to join Assam Rifles. It was also a part of the series of rallies which had been organised in the remote hilly districts in the past two years. The earlier rallies organised at Kamjong, Litan, Chazad, Ukhrul and Somsai provided employment to 265 youths.

Flagging off the rally, Col GPS Sawhney, officiating Commander 10 Sector, said that the aspirants should avail this opportunity to make a career in the Armed Forces. Unemployment of educated youth has been the root cause of insurgency in the area and Assam Rifles has been helping to eradicate this malaise by providing recruitment opportunities.