"The shortage of officers and men in the Corps of Signals will be made up in three to four years", said Lt Gen DP Sehgal, Signal Officer-in-Chief, Army Headquarters. Addressing Signallers at Island Grounds in Chennai, he said that the shortage of officers in the Corps was about 29 per cent and of soldiers about 7000.

Lt Gen Sehgal added that the Signal Corps has been ensuring a good communication network for operation parakram which was commended by all Army Commanders.

There is a good job potential for the retiring or retired Signal personnel as the private basic telecom operators like Bharti Telenet Ltd are enthusiastic about recruiting them, he added.

Brig BK Unnikrishnan, Chief Signal Officer, HQs Atnkk & G Area, in his address, appealed to the retired soldiers not to hesitate to seek help from the Army, as there are many schemes to solve their grievances. Ex-servicemen from the Corps of Signals also attended the meet along with the serving personnel.

As a part of operation Sadbhavana, a school was built at Trehgam. The school named as Hajipir Goodwill School was inaugurated by Commander HQ 68 Mountain Brigade. Presently, the school has a strength of 60. There is a proposal to expand the school every year by adding additional classrooms under the same project.

On the occasion, a colourful march- past was held in the school premises. Fourteen schools from surrounding areas participated in the programme and various cultural activities were also held. Approximately, five thousand people witnessed the inaugural ceremony. The Zonal Education Officer of Kupwara and other dignitaries were present on the occasion and they all appreciated the role of Army for taking steps for socio-economic development of the region.

The closing ceremony was marked by distribution of prizes to the participants and refreshments were served among school-children.

Two week-long courses in energy management and new trends in production technology were conducted at the Ordnance Factories Staff College (ofsc), Ambazari. These courses focussed on the possibilities of inducting more cost-effective and energy-efficient technologies and practices into the production units.

Eminent speakers from the National Productivity Council, VNIT and Indian Machine Tools Manufacturers Association discussed various aspects of energy conservation and management and induction of new manufacturing technologies. They also brought out recent developments in the field of welding and metal cutting machine tools. The Controller of Quality Assurance (Metals) of the Directorate General, Quality Assurance, Mr SK Neogi spoke on the advances in the metals technologies.

In his presidential address, the Principal Director, OFSC, Mr AO Abraham stressed the necessity of harmonising advanced production technologies and higher productivity with a concern for saving in energy consumption.

Mr Priya Ranjan, Additional Principal Director and Mr P Mishra, Director read out the course reports while Mr B Hariharan proposed a vote of thanks.

A two-day seminar was organised on 'Networking Technologies for the Army' by Corps of Signals. Lt Gen DP Sehgal, Signal-Officer-in-Chief, Army Headquarters chaired the seminar. The aim of the seminar was to evaluate various technological options available today for networking in the Army.

A large number of senior officers from the Army Headquarters, eminent engineers from industry and public sector units actively participated in this seminar. Lt Gen Ashok Chaki, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Planning and Systems) and Lt Gen JBS Yadav, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Training and Coordination) also attended the seminar.

A medical camp-cum-equipment display was organised under the aegis of an Artillery Brigade at Sadhuwali in Rajasthan. The camp was inaugurated by Brig SG Chatterji, Officiating Commander, 10 Corps, Artillery Brigade. The camp received an overwhelming response in which more than 6000 patients were treated.

The medical team included a child specialist, gynaecologist and medical officers from Army and Civil Hospitals, Ganganagar. The combined effort of Army and civil doctors in attending to the villagers won accolades from one and all. Local public expressed their gratitude to Col SS Mamak, Commanding Officer, 1871 Medium Regiment for organising the event.

A 'Book Fair' was organised in the premises of the School of Artillery, Deolali. Books on a variety of subjects like defence, science and technology, arts and crafts, history, geography and computers were on display during the fair. The latest CDs on various disciplines attracted special attention of the visiting public.

Altogether, ten dealers from Mumbai, Pune, Nasik and Deolali took part in the book fair. Organised by the Education Branch of the School of Artillery, the fair attracted a large number of people from the military cantonments of Nasik Road and Deolali. Teachers and students of various schools of the station also attended the fair.

The Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) (Local) celebrated its 37th raising day at Headquarters, Northern Command. The celebrations were inaugurated by Mrs Suniti Nanavaty, President (Local), Northern Command at Chinar Auditorium in Udhampur Garrison. On the occasion, a variety entertainment programme was organised by a cultural troupe from the Song and Drama Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

As a part of the celebrations, President and senior members of AWWA paid homage at War Memorial— Dhruva—to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the country. A conference was also organised by AWWA on the occasion.

The President AWWA, Northern Command highlighted the origin and objectives of AWWA. She hoped that the ladies would continue their voluntary service with renewed vigour and would also motivate others to work with them. The conference marked the end of week-long celebrations.

A state-of-the-art library christened ‘Konark Library’ was inaugurated by Lt Gen Hari Prasad, General Officer Commanding of Desert Corps.

After the inauguration of the library which is one of the important projects of this corps, the GOC was briefed on the facilities of the library. The library is provided with air-conditioned chambers, audio-visual room and eight computers with internet. Facilities to access books on the Local Area Network (LAN) at the station have been incorporated in order to enable members to choose books directly.

Military Hospital (Cardio Thoracic Centre), Pune organised a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme titled "Cardio Pulmonary Update-2002". This update was inaugurated by Lt Gen RK Jetley, DGAFMS and Senior Colonel Commandant of AMC. The focus of the update was on the developments in the field of pulmonology, cardio-thoracic surgery and interventional cardiology.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Jetley said that the fields of respiratory medicine, cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery have been undergoing constant changes with an array of new concepts and techniques. The CME provided an opportunity to focus on the development in the field. It was an enriching experience both for speakers and delegates.

Brig (Mrs) Vimla Mehta, Commandant, MH welcomed the speakers and participants. Renowned specialists both from Army and civil hospitals attended the CME programme.

Prof Rupa Shah, Vice Chancellor of SNDT University was conferred honorary rank of Colonel Commandant of National Cadet Corps, SNDT University, Mumbai by Brig CM Nimbalkar, Deputy Director General, NCC Maharashtra at Patkar Hall in Mumbai.

A day-long workshop on "Role of NCC in the development of Youth" was also organised on the occasion by the NCC unit of SNDT University. Over 200 speakers and NCC cadets representing many colleges under SNDT University and Gujarat took part in the workshop. The aim of the workshop was to make students aware of the importance of NCC in nation-building.

Lt Gen MA Gurubaxani, Chief of Staff, Headquarters (Southern Command), Pune released a comprehensive information brochure on Command Hospital (Southern Command).

Command Hospital, Pune is the largest hospital of the Armed Forces catering to service personnel, their dependents, ex-servicemen and civilians. The hospital is the teaching hospital of Armed Forces Medical College. The hospital, under the able command of Maj Gen Triyugi Rai, has embarked on a major campaign to promote awareness on the facilities available at the hospital.

Recently, Air Marshal AK Goel, Senior Air Staff Officer, Eastern Air Command (EAC) inaugurated the "Hindi Fortnight" at HQ EAC complex in Upper-Shillong. Various competitions in essay writing for both Hindi and non-Hindi speaking personnel, recitation, extempore speech, typing, translation and slogan writing in Hindi were organised during the celebrations.

Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Goel underlined the constitutional value of observing the Hindi Fortnight. He called upon all personnel and civilians of Eastern Air Command to use Hindi in their day-to-day works.

Wg Cdr S Ahuja, Commanding Officer, HQ EAC (U) also spoke on the occasion.

A veterinary-cum-medical camp was held at Kot Batian (Awra) in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. The camp provided the services of a gynaecologist, ENT specialist and a dentist from the Army. Civil administration provided doctors and nursing staff from New Primary Health Centre, Awra.

Approximately, 805 patients and 795 animals were treated during the camp. Free medicines were distributed for patients and livestock. Immunisation/vaccination for children was also carried out on the occasion.

An 'Eye Camp' was conducted in Gurez Tilel Valley in Kashmir by the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir State Health Department.

The local public attended in large numbers and the medical team examined 181 cases in five days. The Army medical officers helped the surgical teams from the Health Department in screening the patients and providing pre and post operative care. It was for the first time that a camp was conducted for the general public in Gurez Tilel Valley.

The Assam Regimental Centre (ARC), Shillong won the 47th Sohanlal Dugar Shield Championship. In the finals conducted at Polo Ground, the ARC defeated Oil India Limited (OIL), Duliajan by a solitary goal. Dugar Shield championship is one of the most prestigious football competitions conducted in Assam.

It was a well-contested and fast-paced match, with both the teams failing to score in easy chances. The solitary goal was scored by the ARC Captain, Lalh Machouana in the 46th minute taking advantage of a lapse in defence of the OIL team.

The chief guest, Justice DD Gogoi, District and Sessions Judge, Sonitpur, presented the coveted shield to the winning team.

At a ceremony held at Raipur, Lt Gen BK Bopanna felicitated NCC Senior Under Officer Heena Shreshta who won two gold, one silver and one bronze at the Mavlankar Open Shooting Championship. The championship was held at Coimbatore in which SUO Heena Shreshta represented Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh NCC Directorate.

The Government of Chattisgarh and DDG, MP&C announced a cash prize of Rs 25,000 separately to SUO Shreshta. Sgt Deepak Kumar Pawar also bagged a gold medal among NCC boys. Both shooters have been selected to represent the national team.

Commissioned on June 9, 1968 into the Brigade of Guards, Brig Ranawat has held various instructional and staff appointments during his last 32 years of service. He commanded an elite Guards Mechanised Battalion and a RR Sector in Jammu and Kashmir. He also commanded an Infantry Brigade in Rajasthan.

Before taking up the present appointment, he was the Deputy DG NCC at the NCC Directorate of West Bengal and Sikkim in Kolkata. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Brig Ranawat served in the eastern sector where he was awarded Kirti Chakra as well as Sena Medal for bravery.

The General Officer has held various regimental and command assignments in eastern and northern sectors. As Commandant, 509 Army Base Workshop, he encouraged professionalism and innovation. He has also held staff appointments at DSSC, NDC, MCEME and Army Headquarters.

A keen sportsman, Maj Gen Dhir has excelled in sailing, squash and hockey.

Mr Bhandari earlier served in different ministries under the Government of India. He was Assistant Financial Adviser in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Deputy Secretary and Director, Ministry of Commerce and Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Urban Development and Department of Supply, Ministry of Commerce.

Lt Gen Narayan Chatterjee took over as the new Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Artillery in place of Lt Gen AS Khanna who proceeded on retirement.

Lt Gen Narayan Chatterjee was commissioned in the Regiment of Artillery in June 1963. The General Officer who is an ace aviator had a very distinguished career. He took part in the 1965 and 1971 wars. The General Officer held appointments including Additional Director General, Army Aviation Corps, Major General-in- Charge (Administration), Southern Command and Director General Resettlement. On promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General in September last year, he was appointed Director General, Manpower Planning and Personnel Services at the Army Headquarters.

The General Officer is a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Mention-in-Despatches, Chief of Army Staff commendation and Chief of Air Staff commendation.

Lt Gen Ashok Chaki is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla. He was commissioned in the Third battalion of the Fourth Gorkha Rifles (Chindits) on February 9, 1964 and served with the battalion in Ladakh, Nefa, Sikkim, Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir. Later, he commanded the same battalion with distinction.

The General Officer is a graduate of Defence Services Staff Committee, Wellington and the National Defence College, Delhi. He has held various important staff and instructional appointments including the Defence Attache in Bangladesh. He commanded an infantry brigade during operation Rakshak (Punjab) and a mountain division in a sensitive insurgency-ridden area in the North-East.

Besides other assignments at command and Army Headquarters, he has also been Military Attache to Malaysia and Brunei. He is an alumnus of National Defence College.

Mr Arun Sedwal joined Indian Defence Accounts Service in 1967. Before taking up the present posting, he has held various important posts/assignments in Defence Accounts Department under Ministry of Defence, including the post of Principal Controller of Defence Accounts, New Delhi from which he was promoted to Additional CGDA (Audit). He has held important posts in the Ministry of Defence (Finance). He has been FA & CAO in Delhi Milk Scheme and Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking (DESU) and Director (Finance), National Textile Corporation Limited.

A graduate from National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla (Pune), Col Shahi was commissioned in the Ordnance Corps of Indian Army in December 1980. He started his Army career from COD, Chheokki which was his first posting and he now has the distinction of commanding the same depot. He has wide range of experience in staff, instructional and regimental appointments while serving in different formations of Indian Army all over the country.