The clock has taken a complete turn. Days are gone when Army wanted to recruit three young boys and only two would turn up. The enthusiasm displayed now by the Naga boys is a very welcome sign in this part of the nation. Now they are keen to join the mainstream. In the three recruitment rallies held in Nagaland in April-May this year, ten per cent of the total recruitable male population (RMP) showed up at the rally venues. This figure did not include those already eliminated during preliminary screening by the unit located in various districts. Two of the rallies at Kohima and Mokochung were flagged off by the Chief Minister Mr S C Jamir, who motivated the candidates with his inspiring speech and told them to join this profession for the sake of the motherland. A total of 325 candidates were selected for various arms and services during these rallies.

Under the aegis of Headquarters Recruiting Zone, Shillong, the Branch Recruiting Office, Rangapahar conducted a recruitment drive in the state of Manipur covering all the districts. The recruitment was carried out at Imphal, Litan and Tengnoupal under the supervision of Col Balbir Singh, Branch Recruiting Officer, Rangapahar. A total number of 145 vacancies in general duty category, 11 Nursing Assistants, five technical and seven clerical posts have been filled. The venue of the rally was selected in such a manner that the rural masses and candidates from the remote areas of the state could also participate.

The recruitment is organised in six-monthly cycle beginning from April to September and October to March. Bonus marks are given to the candidates who have passed NCC 'A' and 'B' certificates and also to the son of ex-servicemen for which a relationship certificate has to be produced.

Prominent village councils, clubs, associations and the people of Manipur expressed their appreciation for organising the rally in the remote areas. The second cycle of the recruitment from October to March has been planned to be conducted at Tamenglong, Senapati and Imphal and a wide publicity for the rally is being given. The dates will be announced at appropriate time.

On the direction of Maj Gen Iqbal Singh, GOC 57 Mountain Division, a medical camp was organised at Singhjamei and Wankhei under the aegis of 17 Assam Rifles. A team comprising five well-qualified specialists especially deputed for the purpose by the Army and the Assam Rifles treated more than 1000 patients. Free medicines were distributed among the patients. In an awareness programme conducted at these locations, people were educated about preventive measures to be adopted against minor ailments as well as terminal diseases like AIDS, cancer and viral-hepatitis. During the camp, numerous requests were received from other areas for medical aid programmes.

On the request of the people, 17 Assam Rifles organised another camp at Youth Club, Pisumthong and Youth Club, Nongmeibung. A team of five doctors treated 500 patients at Pisumthong and 400 patients at Nongmeibung. Free medicines were also distributed. One such programme was conducted at Canchipur also. The medical aid programmes were also supplemented by emergency evacuation and ambulance services. Two water tankers were also pressed into service to provide water to the scarcity hit areas of Greater Imphal. People from these areas expressed their gratitude for the timely help provided by the Assam Rifles.

A sum of rupees seventy thousands was presented by Col A K Sharma, Group Commander, NCC Group Headquarters, Imphal to the father of ex-cadet Sgt Oinam Pravin Kumar Meetei of No. 1 Manipur Air Squadron (Flying) NCC, Imphal who died in October last year at Bongaigoan in a train accident.

The sum was released by NCC Cadet Welfare Society, Directorate General NCC, New Delhi. Wing Commander P Ranbir Singh, Commanding Officer of No. 1, Manipur Air Squadron (Flying) NCC was also present on the occasion.

The Red Shield Division conducted medical camps during curfew hours in Manipur to provide medical assistance to the needy people. One camp was conducted for the residents of Singhjimei, Vankhul, Lanthungching and Mekola areas. Another camp was also conducted for the residents of Pissum, Namaipung, Laipham, Khurdu and Kawakethal areas.

The medical team under Lt Col A K Singh was drawn mainly from 357 Field Ambulance. A team of four doctors consisting of Lady Medical Officers and Medical Officers along with para medical staff and four ambulances participated in the camps. One officer from Military Hospital, Leimakhong also formed part of the team.

The team treated 1220 civilian patients including 312 children and 468 women. Free medicines were distributed to all the patients. The response to this medical camp conducted by 357 Field Ambulance under the aegis of Headquarters 57 Mountain Division was excellent. Medical camps are being organised from time to time under the aegis of Headquarters 3 Corps to give medical assistance in far-flung areas of Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram and South Assam.

All the personnel of 3 Corps feel committed towards the development of the areas under their zone. So much so that under the aegis of Headquarters 3 Corps several civic action projects have been undertaken and many others are in progress. In one such development programme at Ukhrul in Manipur, Brig V Suresh Nair, Commander 10 Sector inaugurated a computer lab. The function started with welcome speech by Mr Angustin Tebaraj, Secretary General of Principals Forum (PREFAL) who on behalf of students and public of Ukhrul expressed gratitude to Lt Gen TS Shergil, GOC 3 Corps whose initiative was instrumental in providing computer lab at Ukhrul.

The computer lab has been set up at a cost of rupees five lakh and is equipped with eight computers, latest software and accessories which would provide the residents of Ukhrul an opportunity to get educated and trained in the latest information technology. While addressing the gathering on the occasion, Brig Nair stressed that 21st century should be devoted to peace, prosperity and information technology development. He urged the youth to avail this opportunity to get acquainted with the world of competition, reminding them that their future lies there. He also appealed to all sections of the community to maintain peace and communal harmony in their respective districts and assured fullest co-operation from the Army and Assam Rifles in this endeavour.

The Army has also been undertaking military civic action projects in insurgency affected areas of North-East region so as to bring the local youth into the national mainstream. 57 Mountain Division has provided computers, its peripherals and other infrastructure worth rupees five lakh to establish a computer Lab at ITI, Srikona, Silchar. This lab will conduct DOEACC approved twelve months 'O' level course and a one-month course on computer concepts. These courses, accredited by the Ministry of Information Technology, will enhance the employment opportunities and prospects for further training. The lab inaugurated was at Srikona by Mr Joyanto Choudhary, Additional DC, Cachar.

Col P Mishra was the guest of honour on the occasion when the lab was handed over on behalf of Maj Gen Iqbal Singh, GOC 57 Mountain Division to Mr P Barua, Director Employment and Craftsman Training, Assam. The lab has been established by 657 EME Battalion and commissioned under the supervision of Lt Col AK Caplash, officiating Commanding Officer of the EME battalion. This project has been launched by the Army for imparting computer training to the rural youth of the area and this will be a self-sustaining kind of project in imparting quality computer education to the less privileged population of the area.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, Lt Gen HRS Kalkat accompanied by Mrs Mona Kalkat, visited formations of 3 Corps to assess and review the internal security situation and operational preparedness of the formations deployed in the area. Lt Gen TS Shergill, GOC 3 Corps received the Army Commander at Imphal airport. On arrival at Kangla, Maj Gen Iqbal Singh, Brig AS Lamba, Commander 44 Mountain Brigade, Brig Mukesh Sabherwal, Commander 9 Sector Assam Rifles and Brig V Suresh Nair, Commander 10 Sector Assam Rifles briefed the Army Commander on the internal security situation in Manipur. The Army Commander accompanied by Corps Commander, 3 Corps and GOC 57 Mountain Division called on Mr Ved Marwah, the Governor of Manipur and they reviewed the law and order situation in the state.

Lt Gen HRS Kalkat and Mrs Mona Kalkat, President of AWWA Eastern Command left for Aizwal after concluding the visit. The Indian Army has been contributing towards the all round development of North-East through various initiatives.

The 9th raising day of Chief Engineer Air Force, Shillong Zone was celebrated at the Zone Headquarters near Elephant Falls in Upper Shillong. Social functions and sports competitions were organised to mark the celebration. Brig H K Dadhich, Chief Engineer greeted all ranks and civilians on the occasion. He appreciated the role of participants in keeping the high standard of the zone and called upon the personnel to continue the hard work and achieve utmost user's satisfaction by way of personal involvement.

The zone is responsible for providing engineer service and support to the Air Force base under Eastern Air Command.