Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sushil Kumar visited the Naval Aircraft Yard at Kochi. This yard is the premier industrial establishment of the Indian Navy that undertakes major repairs and overhaul of western and indigenous aircraft, aircraft engines and other equipment.

The Naval Chief visited the newly established state-of-the-art facilities in the yard-Pegasus Engine Overhaul facility, Engine Test Bed and the Centre for Avionics Repair and Software Development (CARES). The Admiral was apprised of the expertise available in these facilities.Vice Admiral Harinder Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command and Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Personnel, Naval Headquarters accompanied the Naval Chief.

from Kochi

Air Marshal VK Bhatia, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command inaugurated a new Air Force Station at Phalodi in Jodhpur district.A care and maintenance unit was also constructed along with the new Air Force Station. Col S Vasisht, Commander Works Engineer received Air Marshal VK Bhatia who was accompanied by Air Commodore CS Gill, Air Officer Commanding, 32 Wing, Air Force.

Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Bhatia said that Air Force Station Phalodi is strategically and operationally very important for Indian Air Force. It is closer to western border and hence it would become a very important air base in the Western Sector, he added. He said that the cost of the project is Rs 300 crore. The new Air Force Station situated closer to Phalodi town comprises an area of about 4000 acres.

The new Air Force Station will have a runway for the aircraft, aircraft maintenance area, administrative complex, living accommodation for officers as well as other ranks, and all other essential parameters and modern facilities required for an air base station.

Air Marshal VK Bhatia addressed a special gathering of Air Force officers and other ranks at Air Force Station, Scanners, Jodhpur during his visit to the station.

Air Marshal Bhatia accompanied by Mrs Sunita Bhatia, President, AFWWA (Regional) was received by Gp Capt Jinendra Kumbhat, Station Commander, Air Force Station Scanners, Jodhpur and Mrs Sunita Kumbhat, President, AFWWA (Scanners). Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Bhatia said that 33 Signal Unit (Scanners) has made commendable achievements in training activities and administration. He appreciated the modernisation and automation efforts of Scanners in day-to-day activities.

Gp Capt Jinendra Kumbhat, Station Commander, Air Force Station, Scanners, Jodhpur bagged the trophy for being the best Air Force Station, last year.

Sep Yashwant Arjun Dhakne of 15 Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) died while fighting Pakistan based terrorists in Uri Sector in J&K.

Sep Yashwant encountered several militants who were attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control from POK.

He acted swiftly, alerted the patrol and opened fire on the intruders. In the ensuing gun battle, he was hit by a volley of bullets from the terrorists. He, however, continued to fight back daringly and was able to foil the infiltration attempt.

Sep Yashwant was enrolled from Talegaon village of Nasik district only two years ago. He was cremated with full military honours in his native village, Talegaon.

Brig NS Chaudhary, Station Commander, Devlali and the Commandant, officers, JCOs and men of Air Defence Artillery Centre and civil dignitaries paid tributes to the martyr.

The 51st Senior Defence Management Course was recently conducted at the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. This was a six-week residential course. The participants of the course included 30 selected officers of the rank of Brigadier, Commodore,Air Commodore and one participant from the Bangladesh Army. The course aimed at enhancement of leadership potential at the conceptual level through application of modern management concepts and techniques. Besides, the participants also got an in-depth knowledge of national issues affecting Defence Services. The course offered an excellent forum to the participants to exchange views on various subjects.

In the inaugural address, the Commandant, Maj Gen KC Padha highlighted the importance of greater inter-Services cohesion and the need to master the nuances of cost-effective management of resources.

A two-day tri-Services seminar on Information Warfare (IW) and Technology(IT) was held at the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology in the Naval Base, Kochi, under the aegis of the Southern Naval Command. Vice Admiral Harinder Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command inaugurated the seminar and an exhibition organised in this connection. Senior officers and delegates from the three Services and the IT industry participated in the deliberations.

Officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, DRDO and industry presented papers on various topics of interest related to the Defence Services and the industry. Most of these were related to management of software requirements, design of military systems, applicability of COTS (commercially-off-the-shelf) hardware and software with relevance to virtual private networks for the Services.

Rear Admiral K Narayanan, Director General, Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment, New Delhi delivered the keynote address. Air Cmde PS Alhuwalia, Director, DICOST, Air Headquarters, summed up the proceedings on the first day. Rear Admiral RP Suthan, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command delivered the closing address. Rear Admiral R Chopra, Flag Officer, Sea Training, Maj Gen NP Kumar, ADG (Telecom) from Army Headquarters and Air Vice Marshal Hari Mohan from the Southern Air Command, Thiruvananthapuram were also present.

The Coast Guard Director General Rameshwar Singh said that the Coast Guard was increasing its presence all along the east coast. It planned to have more stations along the coast, including one in Pondicherry and another in Nagapattinam. He also said that another six hovercraft would be added. Two of them had already been stationed at Mandapam, he added.

Referring to the Coast Guard Developmental Plan for 1997-2002, he said that two interceptors would be added shortly and one advanced off shore patrol vessel in about two years. The Coast Guard would be acquiring seven more Dornier aircraft. Two advanced light helicopters would be acquired by the end of 2002, he said.

Ten war widows of the martyrs of the 8th battalion of Madras Regiment were the guests of honour during the unit's 53rd raising day celebrations held at the Army Camp, Pallavaram. The women along with their kith and kin participated in the memorial service at the Army Camp, all-religion prayer and sainik sammelan. The war widows were presented with house hold utility items. Many veterans including the former Commanding Officer, Lt Col L J Celestine attended the celebrations. The Colonel of the Regiment, Lt Gen A S Rao, presently the Director General of NCC, was the chief guest.

At the sainik sammelan, the Commanding Officer, Col Sunil Bali, recalling the sacrifices made by the martyrs of 8 Madras, exhorted the jawans to put in their best.

The 8 Madras known as "Gallant Guerillas"was raised in 1948. The unit had seen action in the 1971 war. The battalion was also actively involved in the counter-insurgency operations in the Kashmir Valley.

-V Sankaran,
from Chennai

The second annual Provost conference was held at the Naval Base, Kochi under the aegis of the Southern Naval Command. Vice Admiral Harinder Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command delivered the inaugural address.

Twentysix Provost officers representing the Naval Headquarters, Western, Eastern and Southern Naval Commands attended the conference which was chaired by Cmde Rajan Seth, Provost Marshall (Navy). The conference deliberated upon issues pertaining to the functioning of the Provost branch, administrative, professional matters and training methods. Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Personnel at the Naval Headquarters delivered the valedictory address.

- Cdr M Nambiar,
from Kochi

Air Vice Marshal DE Jonas, Commandant, College of Air Warfare gave away the prizes to the winners of the 51st Air Force Aquatic Championship-2001 held at Air Force Academy, Dindigul.

The best swimmer trophy was won by Sgt Anil Kumar of Western Air Command (WAC) with 3 gold medals. He also created one new record. The best waterpolo player award was bagged by Sgt Sree Kumar of Training Command (TC) and the best diving award went to JWO John Siddique of Central Air Command (CAC). He also broke the 3 metre spring board diving record.

The winners in swimming competition were from the Eastern Air Command and runners-up were the Training Command. The overall winners in waterpolo were the Training Command while the Eastern Air Command was the runner-up. The Central Command bagged the award in diving competition.

The Canadian Naval Ship HMCS Winnipeg visited Mumbai recently. This is the first time in the recent past that a Canadian naval ship had visited Mumbai.

Cdr KE Williams, Commanding Officer of the visiting ship called on Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

The officers and sailors of the Canadian ship visited the Naval Dockyard and INS Brahmaputra. A football match was also held between the sailors of the Western Naval Command and the visiting ship.

Winnipeg is a halifax class frigate and was commissioned into Canadian Navy in January 1995. The ship has complex command and control system (CCS) interfaced with an impressive array of sensors, weapons and a computer driven integrated machinery control system (IMCS). The halifax class frigates are considered to be one of the most advanced frigates in the world. The ship has 225 personnel on board.

A two-day health check up camp was held at Central MI Room of Red Eagle Divison. This camp was organised by the Field Ambulance of Red Eagle Division for the families and dependants of all officers and jawans residing in the old and new cantonment. The camp was inaugurated by Mrs Saroj Singh, President, Red Eagle Army Wives Welfare Association. Speaking on the occasion, she said that such camps would be helpful in early detection of diseases.

The camp was organised under the supervision of Col SC Seth, ADMS of Red Eagle Division. A team of four medical officers, including a lady medical officer educated the gathering about obesity, hypertension, diabetes, anaemia, eye and dental diseases.

The families and dependants of officers and jawans availed the benefit of the services of specialists.

The Indian Navy in association with the Institution of Engineers (India), conducted a seminar on "Corrosion and Marine Coatings" at the Avenue Centre, Kochi. Delegates from the Navy, R & D organisations, shipyards and industries related with corrosion protection participated in the deliberations.

The seminar was aimed at providing a platform for interaction among the Navy, shipyards and firms involved in the field of corrosion protection. The seminar also helped to evolve a better understanding of the perennial problem of corrosion protection of hull structure of naval ships and submarines. Developments made in the field were also highlighted. Various case studies on the subject were discussed at the seminar. The forum was intended to tap and utilise the expertise and resources held by the industries involved in this field.

The seminar was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Harinder Singh,Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. Mr MP Sukumaran Nair, Chairman, Institution of Engineers, Kochi delivered the welcome address while Vice Admiral AS Krishnan, Chief of Material, Naval Headquarters delivered the keynote address. Cmde KVR Varier, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Southern Naval Command proposed a vote of thanks.

The NIIT AWWA Centre, Jodhpur under the aegis of Desert Corps Signal Regiment (AREN) was inaugurated by Mrs Lakshmi Hari Prasad, President, Konark AWWA. In a revolutionary move, AWWA took a lead in bringing NIIT to Jodhpur cantonment by setting up its first computer education centre with the latest state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities.

Inaugurating the centre, Mrs Lakshmi Hari Prasad said that with NIIT centre in the AWWA complex, the Army personnel and their family members would be able to get quality computer education.Army at various places has set up NIIT centres in cantonment areas.The Army Headquarters recognises NIIT courses of 2 years duration for the Army officers.

In his welcome speech, Mr Mukesh Bansal, Centre Director, NIIT told that this is first centre of NIIT in Rajasthan in Army AWWA complex. Lt Gen Hari Prasad, Desert Corps Commander, Maj Gen VS Budhwar, Chief of Staff, Desert Corps, Maj Gen KS Jamwal, General Officer Commanding,Battle Axe Division, Mr Sunil Dahiya, Area Head North, NIIT, New Delhi, Brig RR Bali, Station Commander, Brig OP Beniwal, Chief Signal Officer, Desert Corps, Brig PK Tiwari, Brig HR Sharma, Brig HS Sahi and many other senior Army officers were present at the inauguration.

The ‘Monsoon Queen and Princess Contest’ for the year 2001 was conducted under the aegis of Jodhpur Officers Institute (JOI) at Konark Auditorium. The contest was conducted for two categories, Monsoon Queen for married ladies and Monsoon Princess for girls aged 15 years and above. The contest was open to ladies and children of serving and retired Army, Air Force and DRDO officers. The contest had a preliminary round, traditional dress round and a final round. The event was sponsored by Mc Dowelles, Bombay Motors, Hindustan Times, Taj Hari Mahal, Satyam Online, Aptech, Videocon and Quality in Chandra.

Mrs Archana Mangrulkar (28 yrs), wife of Capt Ashish Mangrulkar, 237 Engineer Regiment was crowned the Monsoon Queen. The Monsoon Princess and best hair style award were bagged by Miss Divya Shekhawat, daughter of Lt Col RS Shekhawat. The best couple award was won by Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs Azimuddin of Battle Axe Division. A special quiz programme was also conducted.

The Cockerel AWWA, Ranchi in liasion with Deepshikha, the Institute for Child Development and Mental Health run by an NGO started Ashadeep in the Cockerel Nursery School. Ashadeep is a special section for the mentally challenged children who would get the required special care within an environment of a normal school.

Several activities were planned and executed at Dipatoli and Ranchi with the help of experts from Deepshikha. As a first step, all physically and mentally challenged children of Army personnel were evaluated at Deepshikha. An orientation programme was organised at Dipatoli Cantonment wherein parents of all the challenged children were counselled by a team of experts from Deepshikha. A special educator, trained by Deepshikha, has been employed by AWWA, to work in Ashadeep. The Asha part of Ashadeep has been taken from the name of similar schools run by the Army all over the country while Deep represents Deepshikha, Ranchi.

Ashadeep was dedicated to the welfare of challenged children of Dipatoli Cantonment by Mrs Prabha Joshi, President, AWWA Central Command.

The heavy downpour in Idukki district in Kerala resulted in loss of human lives including that of the chief photographer of Malayala Manorama. The Southern Naval Command on being requested for assistance dispatched a Quick Reaction Group from INS Dronacharya and INS Venduruthy. The group consisted of three officers and 24 sailors headed by Lt Cdr RK Sharma. It established a camp site at Venniyani to carry out relief operations. An Army team from Thiruvananthapuram also joined the Navy. The Naval and Army teams together extricated the body of the photographer from the debris and handed over the same to the civil administration.

The Southern Naval Command carried out rescue operations when six bogies of the Chennai bound Mangalore-Chennai Express plunged into the Kadalundi river, 20 kms from Calicut. A team of 12 divers led by Lt Cdr Sai Kumar, Officer-in-Charge, CCDT (K) rendered assistance to the victims of rail accident. They helped to remove the trapped dead bodies from the mangled bogies of the train.

The divers of the Southern Command also assisted the railway authorities in ascertaining the cause of the accident. They dived along the fractured piers continously for six hours using underwater communication and under water videography equipment. After getting the complete picture of the damaged piers, the divers handed over the details to the railway authorities to facilitate further investigation.