As part of its drive to work for the welfare of the people of Assam, Army commenced a Computer Cadre for 100 candidates of the Government Higher Secondary School, Rangiya. The cadre was inaugurated by Maj Gen as Jamwal, General Officer Commanding 21 Mountain Division.

The three-week cadre run by 21 Mountain Divisional Signal Regiment was aimed at promoting the computer insight amongst the school-going children so as to launch them into the information technology (IT) careers subsequently.

The curriculum was in conformation to the syllabus laid down by APTECH Computers and, on completion of the cadre, successful candidates were issued a joint certificate by Army and APTECH Computers which would help students to pursue higher studies in information technology and assist them in seeking suitable jobs outside. Similar cadres have been planned for students in other districts of Lower Assam.

It was evident from the response of the students and teachers that the two pronged policy of the Red Horns Division of the Army to eliminate insurgency and, at the same time, work for the social and economic development of the people was bearing fruit.

It was a moment of excitement for the people of Nagaland when a team comprising 27 male and 13 female members were flagged off for Shillong by Brig AS Lamba, Commander 44 Mountain Brigade at Kohima. The IGAR(N) Maj Gen R N Kapur, during his visit to Ruzazo, a remote and backward village in Chakhabama Brigade area, assured them all help towards their progress, development and prosperity. One of the major necessities identified was an exposure to development in other states of the country. This tour was the result of this realisation.

Dressed in their tribal best, the group expressed an excitement and aspiration unseen before. Except for two members, no participant had ever been to Dimapur. The pastor said the prayers followed by a song of farewell by the members of the excursion team.

The itinerary included visits to Dimapur, Kaziranga Sanctuary, tea factory/estates, Kamakhya Temple and other places. Shillong was added to the excursion schedule on request of the members, as they felt that this has been the centre of education.

Lt Gen Gopal Krishan Duggal is the new Director General of Assam Rifles. He took over as the head of the Assam Rifles from the outgoing Director General, Lt Gen Gurpreet Singh.

Commissioned into the Maratha Light Infantry in June 1963, Lt Gen Duggal has had a long and illustrious career spanning 37 years. A war veteran of the 1965 Indo-Pak war wherein he was conferred with Vir Chakra for gallantry, he established his credentials and expertise in counter-insurgency operations while commanding a Mountain Brigade in Sri Lanka (Op Pawan) and Assam (Op Bajrang) and later an Infantry Division in Jammu and Kashmir (Op Rakshak). A graduate of Defence Service Staff College (DSSC), he has held many prestigious command, staff and instructional appointments. He has also served as Defence Advisor to the Indian High Commissioner at Islamabad, Pakistan from May 1991 to January 1995. Prior to assuming the appointment of DGAR, he was General Officer Commanding of a prestigious corps of the Indian Army in the Western Sector.

A keen sportsman and a die-hard environmentalist, Lt Gen Duggal has varied interests like polo, mountaineering, skiing, sailing and golfing. The rich traditions of the Services which the General Officer emulates have also been inherited by his children. His son is a commissioned officer in the Indian Army who has made his mark in the Indian equestrian scene while his daughter is married to a Naval officer. On relinquishing the command of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen Gurpreet Singh has proceeded on an important assignment in the Northern Frontiers.

About hundred children from various schools in Kohima and Chozuba town undertook a five-day excursion to Kaziranga, Shillong and Guwahati. The excursion, the first of its kind, was fully sponsored/funded by the Army and Assam Rifles. The excursion was organised as part of a military-civil programme. Except for six children, no one had ever been to Dimapur.

The aim of the excursion was to make children aware of the development and progress elsewhere in the country and to spread the message of peace throughout Nagaland.