Minister of State for Defence, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta visited Janglot Military Station recently. During his visit, he was briefed by Maj Gen Vikram Madan, GOC, 29 Infantry Division in 167 Field Regiment location on operation Sadbhavana, border area development and civic action projects, demining and rear area security.

Lt Gen JJ Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, paid one-day technical inspection visit to Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre and School in Lucknow Cantonment. Lt Gen SP Kalra, Commandant, AMC Centre and School, received Lt Gen JJ Singh on his arrival at the Centre Headquarters.

Lt Gen Singh evinced keen interest in the Model Ward of No 2 Technical Training Battalion where he saw training in nursing being imparted to recruits. During inspection, Lt Gen Singh watched recruits undergoing combined agility test, obstacle course and drill square. At the Officers' Training School, he met the officers and discussed with them various training-related matters.

A three-day workshop on 'Cattle Management and Fertility' was held at Military Farm, Bengdubi. The workshop was inaugurated by Maj Gen Z U Shah, GOC Bengal Area and coordinated by Director, Remount and Veterinary Services and Director, Military Farm, HQ, Eastern Command.

The objective of the workshop was to emphasise adoption of means and managerial practices to increase milk production. It was the first workshop held in Eastern Command which brought veterinarians and Farm Officers on one forum to discuss increased productivity from farm animals. The workshop brought in focus the latest scientific and management techniques adopted and practised world-wide for dairy improvement.

Lt Gen RK Mehta, Senior Colonel Commandant and Commandant, Military College of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) inaugurated the newly-built accommodation for Cadets Training Wing at MCEME, Secunderabad. Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Mehta appealed to the Gentleman Cadets to be technically proficient to face the challenges of the 21st century. The General Officer also presented sports merit cards to the cadets and the Inter-Platoon Championship Commandant's Banner to Arjun Platoon.

The Cadets Training Wing has been established to impart engineering training leading to BE degree for the Gentleman Cadets who join under the 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme. This Wing has been functioning since July 1999.

A workshop on cost saving measures and proper budget management was conducted at Headquarters Central Air Command, Bamrauli. Officers and Airmen from this command participated in this two-day workshop which was declared open by Air Vice Marshal BU Chengappa, Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Central Air Command.

Gp Capt S Samaddar, Command Accounts Officer at Central Air Command, coordinated the workshop.

Maj Gen Paramjit Singh, GOC, ATNKK & G Area called on the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J Jayalalitha at the Secretariat in Chennai. He thanked the Chief Minister for the measures taken by the State Government for the welfare of the service personnel and ex-servicemen.

Ms Jayalalitha said that she felt happy to render services to the jawans who have been protecting the frontiers of the country with dedication. She also expressed her wish for more recruitments of youth from Tamil Nadu into the Army.

Lt Gen Anup Singh Jamwal, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Central Command inaugurated a state-of-the-art fully air-conditioned thin client laboratory at Army Public School (APS) in Lucknow Cantonment. Col Dinesh Sinha, Principal of APS, received Lt Gen Jamwal on arrival.

Briefing the Chief of Staff, Col Dinesh Sinha said that the laboratory would provide a place to the staff and children to work on computers independently. This laboratory would be kept open even after school hours. This was an addition to the existing computer laboratories with independent nodes, he added.

Earlier, Brig Sanjeev Madan, Commander, Lucknow Sub-area, in his welcome address, explained features of some of the schemes under Project Sahyog. In his vote of thanks,
Lt Gen Sami Khan (Retd) said that the schemes being introduced would improve the quality of life of ex-servicemen and their dependants.

Lt Gen SS Mehta, GOC-in-C, Western Command visited 85 Armoured Regiment.

On the occasion, the General addressed a special sainik sammelan in which he complimented the troops for maintaining a high standard of professionalism and training. He exhorted the troops to strive hard for further improvement. He also informed the troops about post-retirement schemes and efforts being made for the welfare of retired personnel.

Lt Gen Mehta also addressed the officers and JCOs separately to apprise them of the security environment. He highlighted the issues related to the organisation and welfare of the personnel. The General also called on Brig Deepinder Singh, Commander, Independent Armoured Brigade.

Yet another step has been taken by the Central Air Command, Air Force towards providing single living-in accommodation to all personnel. Air Marshal BM Bali, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Bamrauli, laid the foundation stone for additional accommodation at Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) Mess, Bamrauli.

Earlier, Air Marshal Bali was received by Mr Mathew M Kalathil, Chief Engineer (Air Force). Maj RO Parmar, Garrison Engineer (Air Force), Bamrauli briefed him on the project of 80 additional single accommodation for SNCOs out of which 66 single accommodation would be meant for Sergeants and 14 for Warrant ranks.The project would be completed by March next year.

Sgt Nandi BK, ADSO, Headquarters, South-West Air Command secured 97 per cent marks in the Junior Warrant Officers Promotion Examination (written) held in February this year. Air Marshal SP Tyagi, AOC-in-C, SWAC personally appreciated the performance of
Sgt Nandi and presented a cash award to the senior non-commissioned officer. Felicitating Sgt Nandi, the AOC-in-C stressed that persistent hard work and devotion to studies are the key factors which should be emulated by all air warriors.

A CSD outlet polyclinic has been inaugurated by Brig Ranjit Prasad, Station Commander, Trivandrum at the Station Canteen Extension Counter, Pathanamthitta. Brig Varghese
Jacob (Retd), President, Kerala State Ex-servicemen League, Col BLT Joseph, Commanding Officer, Military Hospital, Pangode and several civil and defence officers, ex-servicemen and their families attended the inaugural function.

This outlet would be controlled by Military Hospital, Pangode. The Medical Inspection Room with clinical side laboratory is the first of its kind, functioning outside the premises of Military Hospital, Trivandrum. There are 8,000 ex-servicemen dependent on this CSD Extension Counter. They would be covered by this clinic now. This clinic would also benefit ex-servicemen and their families in the neighbouring districts.

Lt Gen DS Chauhan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, inaugurated a cell for "Assured Decent Last Rites" scheme for ex-servicemen and widows of ex-servicemen under Project Sahyog in Lucknow Cantonment. The cell consisting of a JCO and an NCO as Welfare Officers has been created at the Command Canteen. The cell is dedicated to providing on-the-spot assistance to bereaved families. Similar cells are being opened across the Central Command area.

Speaking on the occasion,
Lt Gen A S Jamwal, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Central Command, said that cases for evolution of a uniform national policy on grant of aid to martyrs and reservation of job in various government departments for ex-servicemen of Group 'C' and 'D' are being actively pursued.

Nursery School, Rupa functions under the aegis of HQ 5 Mountain Division and is being run by HQ 311 Mountain Brigade. The school celebrated its annual day recently at the Rupa Auditorium. Brig KK Bhattacharya, Commander, 311 Mountain Brigade was the chief guest on the occasion.

In the annual report, the principal of the school highlighted various activities of the school during the past year. Later, the school-children entertained the audience with patriotic songs, rhymes, poems and a musical skit depicting importance of preserving the environment. The entertainment programme culminated with a beach party.

Speaking on the occasion, Brig Bhattacharya appreciated the children for putting up an excellent show and complimented the staff for their efforts in training the innocent minds.

Mrs Kanak Nigam, President, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional), Maintenance Command, IAF recently visited RST Cancer Hospital, Nagpur and released the cancer relief fund. Mrs Nigam handed over a cheque for Rs 10,000 to the Hospital Director, Dr Santanu Chaudhary towards AFWWA Cancer Relief Fund.

On the occasion, Mrs Nigam said that the fund would assit poor and needy patients to meet the urgent requirements of medicines, food and clothing while undergoing treatment. Wg Cdr Sanjay Kumar, Honorary Joint Secretary, AFWWA was also present on the occasion.

A blood donation camp was organised under the aegis of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) Regional in association with Lions’ Club, Kankaria chapter of Ahmedabad at Headquarters South-West Air Command. The camp was inaugurated by Mrs Vandana Tyagi, President, AFWWA (Regional).

A team of doctors and supporting staff under the command of Dr N Choudhury from Prathama Blood Centre of Jeevraj Mehta Hospital, Ahmedabad conducted the collection of blood. About 86 units of blood was collected. The dignitaries who donated blood included Air Marshal SP Tyagi, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, HQ, SWAC.

Physically challenged children were felicitated at a function at Asha School, Pathankot when a team from the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, led by Mr Jagdish Lakhera, visited the school. Mrs Uma Sharma, President, AWWA presided over the function and expressed her happiness over the support extended by NIVH.

Mr Jagdish Lakhera distributed seven wheel chairs, two tricycles, thirty hearing aids and other essential items among the children. During her interaction with media, Mrs Uma Sharma highlighted the functioning of Asha School and assured that there would be no stone left unturned in fulfilling the objectives of the school.

Army School, Rangapahar celebrated its Annual Day with great enthusiasm. Lt Gen Rajinder Singh, GOC, Spear Corps was the chief guest on the occasion. Mrs Vijay Laxmi, wife of Lt Gen Rajinder Singh, distributed prizes among children who excelled in academics, sports and curricular activities.

Principal of the school, Ms Sasmita Satpathy presented the annual report of the school highlighting the activities and the achievements in the last year. This was followed by a colourful cultural programme.

Air Force Station, Tambaram conducted a seven-day cycle expedition as a part of IAF's awareness campaign.

The team members interacted with the students of about 30 schools. They explained to them about the role of the Indian Air Force in national security and exhorted them to join the force for a challenging career. The expedition was flagged off at Tambaram by Air Cmde MPS Gill, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Tambaram.

The Olympic Day Run-2003 was conducted by Assam Olympic Association alongwith NCC Group, Guwahati. Thousands of youth including NCC cadets, school students, scouts and guides participated in the run. Mr Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The Chief Minister flagged off the run at Ganeshguri Flyover. The run was led by 6 horses of 47 Remount and Veterinary Squadron of NCC followed by participants from 1 Assam,
7 Assam, 60(G) Battalion, 48 Naval Unit, 50 Air Assam Unit, 30 Engineers Company, 47 Remount and Veterinary Squadron of NCC and NCC Group HQ, Guwahati. At the end of the run, a cultural programme and award distribution ceremony were held. Twenty NCC volunteers also donated blood and 25 cadets took eye-donation pledge on the occasion.

The General Officer is a graduate of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and was commissioned in the Indian Army from the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun in 1966. He has attended Defence Services Staff Course, Wellington, Senior and Higher Command Courses at College of Combat (now Army War College), Mhow.

A Colonel of Para and Special Forces Regiment, the Lieutenant General has a vast operational experience. Starting with an airborne operation in Indo-Pak war in 1971, he has held a series of command assignments both in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East.

For his distinguished services,
Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma has been awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

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Born in Calcutta, the Colonel was educated at St Josephs and KV Manauri, Allahabad. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla. The officer has a rich and varied experience in the Corps of Ordnance serving in various regimental staff and instructional appointments.

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Rear Adm BS Randhawa held various operational and staff appointments, both afloat and ashore, including those of Fleet Engineer Officer Western Fleet, Mumbai, Director of Systems (Engineering) and Director of Ship Production at the Naval Headquarters, New Delhi. The Flag Officer is a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.