As a part of Sadbhavana activities, a medical camp was organised by 153 GH under AOR HQ 14 Corps, in collaboration with Society for Human Service, Leh at village Gya near Rumtse (Upshi-Manali axis). The camp was established in tents.

A total of 209 patients was attended to by five doctors. The patients included 124 females, 64 males and 21 children. Out of 209 patients, 98 were medical, 37 surgical, 26 gynaecological and 48 dental cases. Patients requiring special attention were referred to the hospital at Leh for investigation and further treatment.

A lecture-demo was organised to highlight the importance of health and dental hygiene. After the lecture, a gift of tooth-paste and tooth-brush was given to patients. The camp was visited by the Queen Mother of Ladakh to boost up the morale of the local population.

The Flight Training Device (FTD) was inaugurated at Air Force station, Yelahanka by Air Cmde D Kukreja, Air Officer Commanding.

The FTD was installed in an empty shell of an AN-32 aircraft positioned at AF station, Yelahanka. The FTD is a computer workstation based system, akin to a simulator. The system consists of 11 PCs arranged in three rack mounts networked using fast Ethernet hub with associate projection systems to stimulate the flight on ground.

The FTD serves to train aircrew in in-flight procedures. Apart from using it to train ab initio trainees on AN-32 aircraft, it may be used for simulating all types of emergencies for experienced aircrew and engine tradesmen to practise ground-run procedures.

With dwindling aircraft resources, low serviceability rate, non-availability of sectors due to ever-increasing traffic at Bangalore airfield and lack of flying time for practice and testing in emergency actions, the FTD is expected to play a major role in the training of aircrew of AN-32 in future.

The 15th battalion of Bihar Regiment, popularly known as Fighting Fifteen, celebrated its 23rd Raising Day in cantonment area, Mumbai. To mark the occasion, Col Tejinder Singh, Commanding Officer of the battalion, addressed a special sainik sammelan. He complimented all ranks for their dedication to duty and exhorted them to rise to the occasion whenever called upon. Col Daya Nand Malik who raised the battalion at Danapur in Bihar on September 1, 1980 was also present during the celebrations.

While addressing the jawans, Maj Gen Balbir Singh, Colonel of the regiment, put stress on achieving high standards during the training. A badakhana and Bihar Mela depicting cultural heritage of Bihar were also organised as part of the celebrations.

Thirty-nine candidates success-fully completed Computer Operator Course conducted by Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) in Lucknow Cantonment. Brig PS Bhatnagar, Brigadier (Education), Headquarters Central Command, awarded certificates to the candidates at a simple ceremony held at Command Library complex.

Speaking on the occasion, Brig Bhatnagar explained that HRDC conducts a number of activities for the welfare of serving and retired Army personnel as well as for their dependants. The six-week course was conducted with the aim to spread computer literacy among the families of defence persons. So far, 401 candidates from families of serving JCOs and ORs have been trained by HRDC since its inception on March 4 last year.

The Small Arms Range Trainer (SART) Drona simulator was inaugurated by Air Cmde MPS Gill, AOC, AF station, Tambaram. This has been developed by Indian Army with a view to give simulated range firing to ab initio trainees before they are exposed to actual range firing. It would also help in saving expensive small ammunition which is consumed during the process of learning. Drona provides real-time simulation of range firing practice and makes a firer aware of his deficiencies instantly.

Inaugurating the simulator, Air Cmde MPS Gill called upon the personnel to make effective use of the equipment which would enhance the competence and reduce the consumption of ammunition.

As many as 35 next of kins of martyrs who laid down their lives during operation Parakram and those who died at border areas while in active service were honoured at an impressive ceremony held at Basantar Auditorium of Madras Engineer Group and Centre in Bangalore.

Lt Gen NP Aul, Colonel Commandant of Madras Sappers who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed cheques among next of kins of martyrs. Thirtythree kins received Rs 30,000 each while Mrs Zaibunnisa Bibi, wife of late Naik Abdul Hamid and Mrs Nagammal, wife of late Sapper Subramanian, were given rupees one lakh each.

Later, talking to mediapersons, Let Gen Aul said that MEG & Centre has taken up several welfare measures in the interest of brave jawans. The function, which was a part of MEG’s biennial regimental commanders conference and reunion, was attended by many eminent citizens and serving and retired officers.

Armed Forces have begun a massive drive all over the country to identify the district-wise break-up of ex-servicemen to establish medical centres under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).

This was disclosed by Lt Gen VK Dua in a special lecture on ECHS at Madras Engineer Group & Centre (MEG), Bangalore. He said districts with over 2500 ex-servicemen would have an ECHS centre. Nine places in Karnataka namely Bangalore, Bangalore rural, Belgaum, Karwar, Medikeri, Bijapur, Dharwad, Mangalore and Mysore have already been identified for setting up such centres.

Lt Gen Dua said that ECHS provides a comprehensive medical cover to ex-serviceman and his family. While nearly 92 per cent of ex-servicemen would be treated at service hospitals and military medical centres, cases requiring further diagnosis would be referred to empanelled hospitals, the Lieutenant General said.

The scheme is now available at 104 military stations and 123 non-military stations in the country. While the government has given Armed Forces five years to implement the scheme, they are confident of completing it in three years only, said Lt Gen Dua.

Brig GD Tandon, Chief Air Formation Signal Officer, Air Headquarters, New Delhi visited the Air Formation Signal Regiment affiliated to Central Air Command at Bamrauli, Allahabad. He was received by the Commanding Officer, Col AV Talpallikar at the unit Quarter Guard where he inspected the ceremonial guard.

Commenting on the living conditions of the personnel, Brig Tandon stated that with the quantum jump in the quality of life of JCOs and ORs, the morale of the troops of the unit has soared very high. He later met Air Marshal BM Bali, AOC-in-C and Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command. He also visited Tiwari Talab where he was briefed on the intra-command communication network project which would enhance the communication network of the Air Force at the Central Air Command once made operational.

The 158 Base Hospital, the largest zonal hospital of the Eastern Command, added yet another feather to its cap with the inauguration of the Neonatal-intensive Care Unit (NICU) by President AWWA, Bengal Area, Mrs Sabiha Simi Shah. The project fulfills the long-felt need for a super-speciality care service in the sector.

This NICU incorporates the latest monitoring devices, incubators, neonatal phototherapy units and other essential equipment. Speaking on the occasion, Brig LS Rathore, Commandant of the hospital, said that the future members of the sainik parivar could now have a sound start to their life's journey at this NICU.

At a memorable function organised in the Jodhpur Industries Association Hall by the Lions Club, Jodhpur Marudhara, thirty-two gallantry award winners from Jodhpur district were honoured with a shawl and memento. The chief guest of the function was Air Cmde AR Nigam, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force station, Jodhpur. Brig KD Malhotra, Station Commander, Jodhpur delivered the keynote address.

In his valedictory address, Air Cmde Nigam lauded the efforts of Lions Club Marudhara for organising the function and expressed his happiness to meet so many veterans on one dias. Those who were honoured included Haifa Hero Maj Dalpat Singh, MC, Maj Shaitan Singh, PVC, AVM Chandan Singh, MVC, Rfn Bhagat Singh Bhati, Wg Cdr Anil Kumar Mathur, KC, Gp Capt AK Singh, VrC and Mention-in-Despatches, L/Nk Shobha Singh, VrC, Col Hari Singh, VSM and Mention-in-Despatches Commander SP Vyas, Mention-in-Despatches, Honorary Captain Sohan Singh, SM and Col Babu Khan, SM.

Air Cmde Tarun Sovakar, Director Standardisation, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi and his team visited Defence Standardisation Detachment Cell, Nagpur. He held discussions with Air Marshal PK Desai, Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Maintenance Command on various issues related to defence standardisation. Air Cmde Sovakar also visited Ordnance Factory, Ambajhari.

Defence Standardisation Detachment Cell at Nagpur is an inter-service organisation which supports various Ordnance Factories under its area of jurisdiction in maintaining prescribed defence standards.
Air Cmde Sovakar appreciated the facilities available at the cell.

Coast Guard ship Bhikhaiji Cama, based at Port Blair on its operational sortie to Campbell Bay, organised an awareness camp for tiny-tots during which ship was opened for school-children.

During the camp, the children were made aware of the basic duties of the Indian Coast Guard and its adventure activities. The children were also given demonstration on sea-power. The ship plans to organise similar awareness camps for fishing community of various islands at Andaman and Nicobar in future.

Air Marshal Ashok Goel, Inspector General (Flight Safety and Inspections) of the Indian Air Force accompanied by his wife, Mrs Sushma Goel, arrived at Nagpur on a three-day visit to Headquarters Maintenance Command.

Air Marshal Goel was received by Air Marshal DC Nigam, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command. A presentation on various issues related to flight safety was given by the visiting Air Marshal. The presentation and the following discussions were attended by all officers of Headquarters Maintenance Command. During his stay, Air Marshal Goel visited 44 Squadron also where he was honoured with a traditional guard of honour. He also flew IL-76 for more than an hour.

Lt Gen DS Chauhan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command and patron of Mahomed Bagh Club, inaugurated outdoor amenities at MB Club in Lucknow Cantonment.

Aimed at providing healthy environment, the amenities have a 1.2 km track in the club premises. On both sides of the track, herbal plants have been planted. Another addition made to the club is a golf driving range for beginners.

Mrs Rita Vij, President AWWA, New Delhi arrived on a two-day visit to Jodhpur along with the Army Chief Gen NC Vij. This was the first-ever visit by the President, AWWA to Jodhpur military station. She was all praise for the families of the station for making their surroundings green, eco-friendly and clean despite scanty supply of water.

A cultural programme was organised at the Konark Auditorium to mark the occasion. Mrs Vij also chaired a family welfare meeting at the Battle Axe Hall where she emphasised the need for a better education of the families. Mrs Meera Subramanyam, President, regional AWWA explained the details of various activities being carried out at the station.

Mrs Rita Vij also paid a visit to Asha School where the special children put up a cultural programme. She gave away prizes to children and contributed a sum of rupees fifty thousand from the Central AWWA Fund for the welfare of the school.

Nine war widows from Thiruvananthapuram and suburbs were honoured by Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) at its annual day function at Pangode Military Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. The chief guest, Mrs Ila Prasad, President, AWWA presented citation and mementoes to the war widows.

Sixty-six year old Mrs Santhakumariyamma of Peroorkada, wife of late Jemadar Maj K Sreedhan Nair, who laid down his life during the 1962 aggression, was the first to be honoured. The war widows honoured on the occasion included Mrs Sharada Amma, wife of late Sep Shashidaran Nair, Mrs Lalitha Amma, wife of late Sep Sivankutty Nair, Mrs Gertude Sunny, wife of late Nk KV Sunny, Mrs Santhamma T, wife of late Nk Achuthan Nair, Mrs Laila, wife of late Sub Abdul Hamid, Mrs Ramani Nair, wife of late Hav Vikraman Nair, Mrs Lalithamma, wife of late Nk Madhavan Nair and Mrs Mary Joseph, wife of late Hav VT Joseph.

A colourful cultural programme by the ladies of Central Command AWWA, Vocational Training Centre and AMC Centre and School marked the conclusion of AWWA Week celebrations at Lucknow Cantonment.

Addressing the guests on the occasion, Mrs Meera Chauhan, President, Central Command Army Wives Welfare Association highlighted some of the achievements of the association. She also called upon the members to work in unison to complete future welfare schemes in time.

The cultural programme commenced with a welcome song presented by the ladies of AMC Centre and School. Mrs Meera Chauhan distributed prizes among winners of various events conducted during the week. Ms Punam and Mrs Mukesh bagged first and second prize, respectively, in mehndi competition. In bridal dress competition, the first prize was pocketed by Ms Paramjit Kaur followed by the runners-up Ms Ranjana Sharma.

Commodore GN Sasidharan, the head of Indian Navy’s communication branch, retired from Navy after an illustrious career spanning over 33 years. A fellow of the Institution of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineers, Cmde Sasidharan has been a member of various study groups and Indian delegations to the International Telecommunication Union, Geneva.

During his career, he saw action during Indo-Pak war in 1971 and held a variety of command and staff appointments including those of Director, Naval Signals at NHQ Delhi, Naval Officer-in-Charge, Kerala and Lakshadweep, Chief Staff Officer (operations) at Kochi and command of Indian Naval Ships Jyoti, Anjadip, Sindhudurg Pralaya and Nirbhik.

For his distinguished service and devotion to duty, Cmde Sasidharan was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal on Republic Day this year.

The proceeds of this mela was contributed to Family Welfare Fund of Madras Sappers. Mrs Neena Aul visited various welfare institutes of MEG and Centre. She also paid visits to Madras Sappers KG School and Thangavelu Boys Hostel where she distributed gifts among children.

Prahar Samaj Jagriti Sanstha, Nagpur sent 13 young boys to visit Sikkim where they got acquainted with the Army equipment and lifestyle of soldiers. The aim was to motivate the youth to join the Armed Forces. The team also met the GOC of the Sikkim Division.

Lt Col Sunil Deshpande (Retd), who was associated with the film 'Prahar', took premature retirement from Army in 1993 after 29 years of service and started Prahar Sanstha in January 1994. The organisation has been carrying out many activities towards imbibing soldierly qualities in youth. More than 12000 boys and girls attended various camps conducted by the organisation. This year, the organisation collected 8000 rakhis to be handed over to Col Meena Datta, Commandant, Army Postal Service, Kamptee. These rakhis were despatched to soldiers posted in high altitude areas.

Army School, Gangtok celebrated its 5th Annual Day. Maj Gen Deepak Anand, GOC 17 Mountain Division and patron of the school, was the chief guest. The General was accompanied by Mrs Rita Anand who gave away prizes and trophies to the award winners.

The function was organised at the Defence Auditorium. Addressing the students and teachers on the occasion, Maj Gen Anand called upon them to make the school an ideal one in Gangtok.