A Civil-Military Liaison Conference was organised by the Army in State Guest House at Ahmedabad recently. The conference was attended by senior officers of Army, Navy, Air Force as well as senior civil, police and para military officers of Gujarat.

While inaugurating the conference, Mr Sundar Singh Bhandari, the Governor of Gujarat called for co-ordination between the civil administration and Armed Forces to combat anti-national elements. He complimented the Armed Forces officers for their ready assistance and support provided whenever called upon by civil administration.

Welcoming the chief guest and other participants, Air Marshal VK Bhatia, AOC-in-C, South Western Air Command expressed gratitude on behalf of defence services for all the assistance rendered by the State Government during operation Vijay. He said that interaction with civil administration especially at district and grassroot level has always been a fruitful and mutually beneficial process for the defence services.

The conference discussed various issues such as security, sharing of intelligence, aid to civil authorities, welfare of troops, acquisition of land, financial aid to Sainik Schools, setting up of joint intelligence cell, grant of ex-gratia payment and housing scheme.

The Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), Lt Gen Chandra Shekhar, visited Jodhpur recently before his retirement. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Aruna Chandra Shekhar, Vice President of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) and Col Narula. The Vice Chief was received at the Airforce base by the Desert Corps Commander, Lt Gen MA Gurbaxani, and Dr (Mrs) Rosy Gurbaxani.

During his visit, the VCOAS met the Army personnel serving in the station. He held discussions with Lt Gen MA Gurbaxani and Maj Gen RK Kaushal, Desert Divisional Commander. He said that the standard of training and morale of the troops are high and they are well-motivated to fight against the anti-national elements.

Later, Lt Gen Chandra Shekhar left for Jodhpur for visiting another Infantry Division in the Western Sector.

A Hindi bilingual software, Vijay was launched by Director General Military Intelligence, Lt Gen OS Lohchab at Army Software Development Centre, New Delhi. This software will facilitate Army in the day-to-day functioning in Hindi. Vijay allows writing letters, preparing slides, sending e-mail and creating data bases simultaneously both in English and Hindi. This software is customised for use in the Army providing impetus to popularisation of Hindi as the language of official correspondence.

The software was formally handed over to Maj Gen MPS Tyagi, ADG Army Education Corps. This project was undertaken by the Directorate of Information Technology at the Army HQ in conjunction with the Military Training Directorate. The software has been developed by M/s V-Soft Pvt Ltd, Mumbai.

The current year being designated as golden jubilee year for Raj Bhasha Hindi by the Government of India, various initiatives are being undertaken to popularise Hindi as the official language in government organisations. The idea of the bilingual software, Vijay, was originally conceived by Lt Gen SS Mehta DCOAS (P&S).

Initially 1000 copies of the CD containing Vijay have been issued to the troops. After a feedback and appraisal, an improved version will be issued with each computer in use in the Army. This will make Indian Army the first organisation to implement the Government’s directive for popularisation of Hindi.

To familiarise the members of Kargil School Houses of BPM Model School, Perettil to the Army life and introduce them to the infantry weapons, a programme was arranged at Pangode Military Centre recently. The main aim of the programme was to enthuse the students to join the defence forces and promote the spirit of adventure and national pride in them.

An exhibition of infantry weapons including recoilless gun, 81 MM mortar, light machine gun, medium machine gun, various types of pistols and electronic equipment and night vision devices were exhibited for the benefit of the students.

The other programmes included a lecture-cum-demonstration on Kargil operation and visit to various Army establishments. Station Commander, Brig DP Singh addressed the students. Earlier, Col OS Yadav, Commanding Officer, 17 Madras welcomed the gathering.

The Army Supply Corps honoured five of its war martyrs by presenting a cheque for Rs 50,000 to their next of kin at a function held at Other Rank Institute in the Pangode Military Centre. Brig J Nair, DDST, Headquarters ATNKK & G Area, Chennai, presented the cheques.

Those who received the financial assistance were Mrs Janaki R Kunjamma, wife of Sep Balakrishnan Nair (1971 Indo-Pak war), Mrs Bhavani Amma, mother of Nk KN Ravendran, Mrs Amminikutty, wife of Sep KV Sasidharan Nair and D Lalitha, mother of Sep R Rajasekharan (operation Rakshak).

The cheque for Mrs Kochuthresiamma Thomas, mother of Sep VT James (1962 Indo-Pak war) was received by the sister of the martyr.

Maj KJK Choudhary, Officer Commanding of the ASC Unit Pangode and Maj (Retd) MRK Nair, Vice President of the District Sainik Board addressed the function.

Brig SN Handa has taken charge as Station Commander, Trivandrum Army Station from Brig DP Singh.

Brig Handa was commissioned in November 1971 in 5/3 Goorkha Rifles and has served in National Security Guard, Army Headquarters, Intelligence School and Defence Service Staff College. He is a war veteran of Indo-Pak war 1971 and has varied experience of counter-insurgency operations in Mizoram and Punjab.

The Pioneer Corps Training Centre (PCTC) in Bangalore honoured eight widows and next of kin of eight of its soldiers who laid down their lives in various wars since Independence. Col NS Nagi, Commandant, PCTC presented a cheque for Rs 50,000 each to them. A large number of Army officers, jawans and civilians were present on the occasion.

The Controller of Defence Accounts (CDA) Chennai recently completed 250 years of its existence. On the occasion a souvenir "Sankalp" and a special postal cover was released at a colourful function held at the Rani Seethai Hall, Chennai.

Mr N Gopalan, Controller General of Defence Accounts, New Delhi formally released the souvenir. Maj Gen SP Kapoor, GOC, ATNKK & G Area, Chennai received the souvenir. Mr PK Das, Controller of Defence Accounts, Chennai welcomed the gathering.

Mr Sekhar, Joint Controller of Defence Accounts, Chennai read out a report about CDA, Chennai. The function was graced by dignitaries from the Central and State Governments besides the Armed Forces.

As may as 150 soldiers from Kerala who laid down their lives in various wars and military operations since independence including the Kargil war were honoured by conferring badges of sacrifice and certificates of honour to their next of kin at a function held at Cariappa Auditorium.

Brig DP Singh, Station Commander, Pangode Military Centre conferred the badges.

Of the 150 soldiers honoured, three have laid down their lives in Kargil war, seven in the 1948 operations, 26 in 1962 war, 37 in 1965 war, 26 in 1971 war and remaining in various other operations.

Senior officers including Col AJ George, Col Muralidharan, Col OP Yadav, Col BLP Joseph and Col Sasidharan attended the function.

- P Rajendran

The 198 Field Regiment celebrated its 33rd raising day recently. A large number of serving and retired Gunners attended the celebrations. Mandir function followed by a special Sainik Sammelan was held. The Commanding Officer, Col JS Gill conveyed the best wishes of Lt Gen Vinay Shanker, DG Artillery, Maj Gen RS Nagra, Col Comdt and other senior officers to all ranks and their families. Prizes were distributed to the participants who had excelled in the field of games and other activities. Promotions were announced and the Commanding Officer Championship Banner was also presented on the occasion.

A Pagal Gymkhana followed by a barakhana was organised for all ranks and their families which included games for children of all age groups.

A social evening in the officers mess was organised in which ex-Officers of the Regiment and other guests participated.

The Directorate General Quality Assurance (DGQA) celebrated its raising day recently. At a function organised in New Delhi, the Director, DGQA Lt Gen Amarjeet Singh gave away awards to the personnel of his department who excelled in their fields in the performance of duties. A total number of 37 awards, including 28 commendation certificates and 9 cash awards were presented.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Amarjeet Singh emphasised the need for building a good image of the department by providing maximum satisfaction to the Armed Forces.

A cultural programme depicting the culture of different states including their folk dances and songs was put up by the staff of DGQA.

The 475 Engineer Brigade, located at Nasirabad Cantt organised a cultural festival. The festival was inaugurated by Mrs YR Maindiratta. Brig YR Maindiratta, Commander, 475 Engineer Brigade was the guest of honour.

The two day festival commenced with lightning of Jyoti Calas followed by group dances. A short play based on literacy was presented by children. Ladies also presented different types of skits depicting soldier’s life style.

Bihu dance from Assam, UP Group dance and Dandiya from Gujarat were the centre of attraction and well received by spectators.

Later Mrs YR Maindiratta distributed prizes to the participants. Brig YR Maindiratta congratulated Col MH Buch and all ranks for organising the cultural festival.

The Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs Sheila Dikshit hosted a reception recently at her residence in New Delhi to the members of the NCC Girls’ Mountaineering Expedition who successfully scaled the Ladakhi Peak (5,342 M) in the Western Himalayas. 19 NCC cadets from different parts of the country were selected for the expedition. Finally at the Camp II, eight cadets were chosen to scale the Peak. Withstanding the adverse and hostile conditions, the team members successfully scaled the peak and hoisted the national Tricolour and the NCC flag on the summit.

On the occasion, the NCC girls presented the Chief Minister with the ‘Ice Axe’ mounted with the national Tricolour and the NCC Flag that was actually fixed atop the Peak. The Chief Minister said "It’s a great honour to me and I will keep this for the rest of my life". She also lauded the spirit of adventure and determination exhibited by the girl cadets.

Lt Gen AS Rao, DG, NCC said on the occasion that the NCC cadets have successfully undertaken 46 mountaineering expeditions till date among which 21 were by girl cadets. During his tenure the total number of the NCC Girl Cadets has increased from 10 percent to 14 percent and his aim was to make it 30 percent, he added.

Lt Gen Surjit Singh, General Commanding Officer-in-Chief, Central Command has said that Army Wives have to empower themselves to face any future challenges.

He was speaking at a function after releasing Jagriti magazine of CCAWWA at Surya Auditorium in Lucknow Cantonment. He called upon the Army personnel to upgrade the standard of education of their children. Earlier, certificates to the students of the AWWA Vocational Training Complex (AVTC) were distributed by Mrs Deep Surjit Singh, President, AWWA. The children of AWWA Nursery School, Asha School and students of AVTC presented an attractive cultural show to mark the AWWA raising day. A number of Army personnel, their families and parents of children were present on the occasion.

An exhibition was also put up on the occasion in which hand made cards, block printing, stuffed toys and paintings were displayed by the children of Asha School and students of AVTC.

Mr Arun Sedwal has taken over as the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts, Central Command, Lucknow. The post of the CDA, Central Command, has been upgraded to that of the Principal CDA recently. Earlier, Mr Arun Sedwal had been the Director (Finance) in National Textile Corporation Ltd in the Ministry of Textiles, New Delhi. A native of Rajasthan, Mr Arun Sedwal joined the Indian Defence Accounts Service on October 23, 1967. During his 33 years of service, he has held a number of important posts including that of CDA, Eastern Command, Finance Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer in DESU and CDA Ordnance Factory, Bolangir (Orissa).

Mrs Deep Surjit Singh, President, Central Command Army Wives’ Welfare Association (CCAWWA), inaugurated the new complex of the AWWA Vocational Training Centre (AVTC) in Lucknow Cantonment. The AVTC is aimed at imparting vocational training to the families of JCOs and ORs in order to enhance their theoretical and practical knowledge on various professional jobs.

Inaugurating the complex, Mrs Deep Surjit Singh said that the AVTC runs a number of courses including machine embroidery, cutting and tailoring, typing, fabric oil painting, beauty and hair care, computer training as also hand block printing. On the occasion a computer centre and a beauty parlour were also inaugurated by the CCAWWA President.

Earlier on arrival, the CCAWWA President was received by the Secretary of the AVTC, Mrs Rashma Sahni, wife of Maj Gen SK Sahni, MG ASC, HQ Central Command. Lt Gen RM Chadha, Chief of Staff, HQ Central Command and a large number of Army personnel and members of the AVTC were present on the occasion.

The 27 Rashtriya Rifles located at Chandimar identified Behramgalla as the village requiring urgent attention. The remoteness of the village, its scanty medical facilities, its inadequately equipped primary school and its inaccessibility due to its location across Chattapani Nala prompted the battalion to adopt Behramgalla.

Army officials enthused by their rapport with civil administration introduced several developmental projects aimed at improving the living conditions of the people of Behramgalla. Qualified educational instructors of the Army were provided as teachers for the primary school. Medical facilities were expanded to cater to the civilians especially the old, women and children. The drinking water supply scheme was vigorously followed up and extended from Manai Nala across mountainous terrain.

The approach to the village was through a narrow seasonal wooden bridge across Chattapani Nala. The villagers and their cattle were facing extreme hardship in moving across the Chattapani Nala and there was a need to construct a steel bridge. Sensing the need for a steel bridge and with liberal assistance of Army’s manpower and engineering resources the construction of the bridge was carried out on war-footing.

The bridge was inaugurated by Brig Tara Singh, Commander, 6 Sector Rashtriya Rifles. The locals lauded the efforts of Army and civil administration in meeting their aspirations.

Admiral Dennis Cutler Blair, Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Command accompanied by his wife Mrs Diane Blair and a ten member high level delegation visited Mumbai recently.

Soon after arrival, the delegation visited HQ, Western Naval Command where they were briefed on the various aspects of Western Naval Command. Admiral Blair and Vice Admiral Madhvendra Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command discussed matters of mutual maritime interest.

The delegation visited the indigenously built modern warship INS Mysore and also the Mazagaon Docks Ltd. Admiral Blair, as the senior most military commander of United States in the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas, leads the largest of the unified commands and he directs army, navy, marine corps and airforce operations across 169 million square kilometers from the west coast of US to the east coast of Africa.