The 119 Infantry Battalion, Territorial Army (Assam) also known as 'Assam Terriers' celebrated its 54th raising day at Shillong. The two-day celebrations included inauguration of Terriers' Institute by Lt Gen SK Pillai (Retd), ex-Colonel of Assam Regiment, mandir services, barakhana, mess functions and sainik sammelan.

Lt Gen JR Mukherjee, Colonel of Assam Regiment, presided over the celebrations. The celebrations were attended by a large number of serving and retired personnel of the battalion and their families.

The 119 Infantry Battalion with its soldiers drawn from all the North-Eastern states is highly regarded. The battalion has recently returned to Shillong from Srinagar where it carried out its tasks successfully.

The 181 Mountain Brigade conducted a lecture at Women's College, Tinsukia to motivate the girls to join the Armed Forces. Maj RK Jindal and Capt Smita Misra from Laipuli Camp spoke on the occasion. About 250 girls attended the lecture.

The lecture was aimed at generating awareness among girls about various aspects of Short Service Commission. The topics covered included eligibility criteria, vacancies, age limit, application formalities, preparation for the interview and pay and perks. The provision of continuing or quitting the service, as per the option of the officer, after five years was also explained to the participants.

After a four-year stint with 181 Mountain Brigade, 9 Grenadiers bade ‘adieu’ to this formation and left for its peace tenure.

During the tenure, 9 Grenadiers killed 54 hardcore militants, apprehended 147 and recovered a large number of arms and ammunition.

While bidding farewell to the troops at Railway Station, Tinsukia, Brig AK Gulati, Commander, 181 Mountain Brigade congratulated Col Jai Singh and his unit for their outstanding performance.

Lt Gen HS Kanwar, Director General, Assam Rifles visited 21 Sector Assam Rifles in Agartala. The General Officer visited the Assam Rifles battalions deployed in the south and west districts of Tripura and reviewed the counter-insurgency operations. The General called on the Governor of Tripura, Mr DN Sanaya.

Lt Gen Kanwar apprised the Governor of various civic action programmes like medical/veterinary camps, establishment of computer centres and vocational training centres and recruitment undertaken by Assam Rifles in the interior areas for the benefit of the local residents.

Twentyone Sector, Assam Rifles achieved a major breakthrough with the surrender of five hardcore militants. The militants handed over one 9mm revolver with six rounds, one Chinese grenade, two No 36 hand- grenade and one 7.62mm SLR magazine with 20 rounds to Brig V Nautiyal, Commander, 21 Sector, Assam Rifles.

The annual seminar on 'Air Defence' was held at Air Force station, Laitkor Peak. It was organised under the aegis of Air Marshal MB Madon, AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command and was inaugurated by Air Marshal SY Savur, Senior Air Staff Officer, EAC. The seminar was attended by Air Defence Commanders and other senior officers from Headquarters, EAC. The seminar discussed optimisation of air defence sources, communication and electronic warfare, among other issues.

Air Cmde Amul Kapoor, Air Defence Commander, HQ EAC, who delivered the closing address, stressed the need for better coordination among air defence units for optimum results.

Lt Gen JS Varma, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, was on a two-day visit to Shillong. During his stay, he visited HQ 101 Area, Headquarters Director General Assam Rifles and Headquarters, Eastern Air Command. He also called on Governor of Meghalaya, Mr MM Jacob.

On his arrival at HQ 101 Area, Lt Gen Varma was received and briefed by Maj Gen RR Goswami, GOC 101 Area. At HQ EAC, the General Officer had discussions with Air Marshal MB Madon, AOC-in-C, EAC on various operational matters.

Lt Gen Rajinder Singh, General Officer Commanding, 3 Corps paid a two-day visit to Mizoram. The General was briefed on the security situation by Brig JS Gosal, Commander, Mizoram Range, Assam Rifles. The General also called on the Governor of Mizoram, Mr Amolak Rattan Kohli and Chief Minister, Mr PU Zoramthanga.

Maj Gen Ravinder Singh, General Officer Commanding, 57 Mountain Division accompanied by Mrs Ranoo Singh, President, AWWA, 57 Mountain Division visited Imphal. The General paid visits to Assam Rifles battalions at Moreh, Kakching and Thoubal deployed along the National Highway 39. He also paid visits to Awang Kasom post of 20 Assam Rifles, two newly opened posts at Sorde and Kasong.

The GOC was briefed by Brig EJ Kochekkan, Commander, 9 Sector Assam Rifles, Brig RN Bhattacherji, Commander, 10 Sector, Assam Rifles and Brig VK Batura, Commander 59 Mountain Brigade on the prevailing operational situation of their areas of responsibility and on various projects. He also called on the Governor of Manipur, Mr Arvind Dave and Chief Minister of Manipur, Mr O Ibobi Singh.

A 20-day excursion was organised for the youth of Mizoram by Headquarters, Mizoram Range Assam Rifles. A group of 11 boys and 9 girls from South Mizoram visited Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The excursion was flaged off at Aizwal by Col AK Singh, officiating Commander, Mizoram Range Assam Rifles.

The participants visited Golden Temple, Dursyana Mandir, Wagha border and Jallianwala Bagh. They also visited tourist places in Ludhiana and Chandigarh. The group met the Governor of Punjab, Mr Om Prakash Varma. Later, they visited Shimla and Delhi.

The tour enabled the children to have an insight into the rich cultural heritage of the country. On their return to Aizwal, a reception was organised by the Headquarters Mizoram Range Assam Rifles. Brig JS Gosal, Commander Mizoram Range Assam Rifles interacted with the students. The students apprised him of their experiences and thanked him for making the tour possible.

As a part of community development programme, NCC Group Headquarters, Imphal organised a blood donation camp in collaboration with State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC), Imphal. The camp, conducted at No 1 Air Squadron, NCC was inaugurated by
Dr Charlto Amo, Minister of Health, Manipur. Dr Charlto Amo, in his address, urged the cadets to donate blood regularly.

Led by Wg Cdr JS Rana, officiating Group Commander, about 100 NCC Cadets, PI staff, ANOs of No 1 Air Squadron and students of Manipur donated blood with great enthusiasm.

The Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Gajraj Corps celebrated its raising day with traditional gusto and enthusiasm. The day was marked by a cultural show at the Gajraj Sainik Institute (South), Tezpur. Mrs Kirti Kapoor, Vice President, Gajraj AWWA was the chief guest on the occasion.

The function commenced with the lighting of the traditional lamp. Mrs Rachna Dixit, a senior AWWA member highlighted the activites of Gajraj AWWA during last year and also outlined the future projects. This was followed by a colourful cultural programme that was appreciated by all.

(inputs : Sqn Ldr Binoy Chongtham,