The Colonel of the Brigade of the Guards, Maj Gen Rajinder Bir Singh visited the Guards Regimental Centre (GRC), Kamptee. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Kusum Singh.

Maj Gen RB Singh was received by the Commandant of GRC, Brig Tejinder Singh and presented a guard of honour. He visited the training facilities at the Centre and held detailed discussions on training matters.

Commissioned into the Brigade of the Guards in December 1965, Maj Gen RB Singh has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Yudh Seva Medal. He was also part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka.

Mrs Kusum Singh visited the Garuda Public School and the Family Welfare Centre. She appreciated the work being done for the welfare of the soldiers.

from Nagpur

The Eastern Naval Command dispatched a contingent of 70 sailors for manning various operations in Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) following a strike call given by the Port employees. The Naval contingent played a significant role in enabling the VPT to achieve a record turnover even during the strike period.

The Naval personnel drawn from the ships of Eastern Fleet, local flotilla and shore establishments assisted the Port authorities for manning the operations round-the-clock.

NCC cadets of 1 Karnataka Engineer Company have adopted Shettanayakanahalli village in Mysore Taluk. The cadets of NIE and SJ College of Engineering carried out social service activities and educated the villagers on environment. The villagers also joined the cadets in removing the parthaneum weeds around the village and helped in providing drainage facilities to the village. The programme was attended by Mr AS Gurumurthy, local MLA and other village leaders. The social service activities were led by Dr P Mallu, NCC Officer of SJ College of Engineering, Manasagangothri.

The cadets also observed Vigilance Awareness Week by taking out a rally at Mysore. They conducted street plays highlighting the evils of corruption in the society. Seminars and lectures were also conducted on the necessity of eradicating corruption.

Ms M Pallavi, Mr Shaik Ahmed Basha and Mr Mahaboob Subhani Shaik who represented the Dockyard Apprentice School in the competition were declared the winners in the electronic, mechanic, electrician and fitter trades respectively. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command complimented the apprentices and the naval unit for bringing laurels to the Navy.

As a part of Computer Literacy Day celebrations, a signature campaign was organised at the Jodhpur Cantonment by NIIT. Under this programme, signatures from all senior officers and jawans were obtained for motivating them to become computer literates at a very nominal cost.

The signature campaign was inaugurated by the Desert Corps Commander, Lt Gen Hari Prasad by endorsing his signature. Speaking on the occasion, he said that in view of the complete automation being pursued in the Army, it was a good step by NIIT to provide computer education to all ranks and families at a subsidised cost. He hoped that maximum troops and their families staying at the cantonment would benefit from the programme. All officers and men present on the occasion participated in the signature campaign.

Nearly four thousand people including officers, jawans and their families were vaccinated against Hepatitis-B at Shillong at a special vaccination camp held in the premises of the Field Composite Signal Regiment under HQ 101 Area, 58 Gorkha Training Centre and Assam Regimental Centre. The day-long camp, organised by Lt Col Alok Kulshrestha, Deputy Assistant Director, Health under the aegis of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Shillong was a great success as parents and children thronged to the venue for vaccination against Hepatitis-B.

Earlier, the camp was inaugurated by Mrs SB Atri, wife of Brig SB Atri, Station Commander, Shillong. Several Army officials and their families were present on the occasion.

Rich tributes were paid to the brave son of Marwar, (late) Maj Shaitan Singh of 13 Kumaon who laid down his life on November 18, 1962 while defending the famous Razagnla Pass in Sikkim against the Chinese aggression. He was awarded Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his valour and supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy. He defended the Pass till he breathed his last and did not allow the enemy to capture it. He was from Banasar village (now known as Shaitan Singh Nagar) near Jodhpur.

At a wreath-laying ceremony, civil and military dignitaries followed by ex-servicemen and school-children of the martyr’s school paid homage to the departed soldier.

Mr Rajendra Kumar Syal, Sc "G" took over the reins of Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur as Director. Mr RK Syal graduated in chemical engineering from Punjab University, Chandigarh in 1969. He joined DRDO at DMSRDE, Kanpur in 1969 and subsequently joined HEMRL, Pune in 1975. Prior to his present appointment, he was director HEMRL, Pune.

Mr RK Syal is recipient of many awards and prominent among them was the DRDO Technology Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards "design and development of combustible cartridge case and semi combustible primer for MBT Arjun ammunition" in 1995. He also received the NRDC Invention Award for his meritorious invention of ‘combustible cartridge cases for tank gun ammunition’ in 1999 and the NOCIL Award for ‘excellence in design/development of process plant and equipment’ at Chemcon-1999.

The 33 Corps Operating Signal Regiment was a part of 14 Army during World War-II. The regiment moved to its present location alongwith the Corps HQ in 1962. It participated in the 1962 India-China war and captured some Chinese communication equipment. These equipment are kept in Corps of Signals Museum at Jabalpur to enable the future generations of soldiers know about the bravery and dedication shown by their predecessors.

Mrs Meera Varma, President (Regional) AWWA, 4 Corps visited 155 Base Hospital, Tezpur to meet the disabled children of serving soldiers. There are 17 such children at the hospital.

Initially, Mrs Varma interacted with the children and their parents and assured them of all help and encouragement. She highlighted the benefits and privileges being provided by the Government and Army for physically challenged children. The parents were enlightened on various travelling concessions, income tax reliefs, education, job reservations and business prospects for the disabled children. The parents were also briefed on provisions of Person with Disabilities Act passed in 1995. Mrs Meera Varma encouraged the parents to come forward and highlight their grievances. She suggested that progress of each child be recorded and monitored at regular intervals.

A Communal Harmony Week was observed by Military Hospital, Allahabad under the aegis of Col RK Thaker, Commanding Officer, Military Hospital, Allahabad. On this occasion, a painting competition was organised for children. Maj KM Hassan, Medical Specialist of Military Hospital, Allahabad conducted the competition. The theme for the painting competition was "friendship". The children displayed admirable talents and described the theme in many fashions befitting their age groups.

Speaking on this occasion, Col RK Thaker exhorted the children to foster love and affection among one and all without any communal bias. He gave away the prizes to the winners of the competition. In the age group of 5-8 years, Master Neeraj Kumar won the first prize while Miss Kamalia and Miss Anamika won second and third prize respectively. In the age group of 9-12 years, Miss Preeti Upadhayay stood in the first position.

Brig R Sangam took over the command of 508 Army Base Workshop as the Commandant and Managing Director in place of Brig Ravi Khullar who proceeded on permanent posting as Commandant, 1 EME Centre, Secunderabad. Brig Sangam is an alumnus of National Defence Academy. He has a rich experience of both staff and regimental assignments.

Brig Ravi Khullar, during his farewell speech at a joint sammelan of all combatants and civilians of the workshop, conveyed his best wishes to the staff and their families. He exhorted the combatants to dedicate themselves towards duty in the interest of the country.

A colourful attestation parade of the 255th batch of young recruits of Assam Regiment was held at the Parade Ground of Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong. Col JS Bawa, Commandant, ARC took the salute and reviewed the parade.

In his address, Col Bawa lauded the young soldiers for the smart turnout and high standard of drill. He congratulated them for successfully completing the training and also exhorted them to meet every challenge ahead. He gave away the awards to the recruits who achieved excellence in various aspects of training. Sep B Michael bagged the overall Best Recruit award while the awards for the best in drill and firing were awarded to Sep Habung Bagang and Sep Mankhanthang Paite respectively.

Besides officers and jawans of the regiment, the parade was also witnessed by the parents and relatives of the young soldiers.

Lt Gen BK Bopanna, Director General, NCC was recently on his maiden visit to North-East. He reviewed the NCC activities in Shillong and appreciated the support of the Meghalaya Government in promoting youth development through NCC in the state. Talking to mediapersons at the Garrison Ground, Lt Gen Bopanna felt that the need of the hour was to take up many youth activities in order to groom the youth into responsible citizens of the nation.

Earlier, the cadets of the Meghalaya NCC battalions under the auspices of the NCC Directorate, North Region, presented a parade at Garrison Ground in which the Army and Naval Wings of NCC participated. Later, a battlefield scenario was enacted by the cadets in the battle fatigues. The boys and girls of the NCC Directorate also presented a colourful cultural programme at the venue.

The mortal remains of Gunner Nk Santosh Kumar of 19 Infantry Artillery Brigade who laid down his life in Jammu and Kashmir on January 13, this year were brought to Thiruvananthapuram. The body was received with full military honours at Shanghumugham Airbase. Mr NK Premachandran, MP laid a wreath on behalf of the Chief Minister of Kerala.

Gunner Santosh Kumar’s uncle Mr Raghunathan Nair, other relatives and a large number of people from his native village were present at the Airbase to receive the body.

Later, the mortal remains were taken to Karuvatta in Alleppey district. The body was placed at the Karuvatta NSS Higher Secondary School for paying homage before cremation. Gunner Santosh Kumar is survived by his parents, Mr Nanu Nair and Mrs Sarasamma and three brothers.

Mrs Shivjot Sihota, President, AWWA, Southern Command visited Military Hospital at
Bhuj. During her visit, Mrs Sihota met the patients undergoing treatment at the hospital. She boosted their morale and wished speedy recovery. She also distributed sweets to them.

Mrs Sihota inspected the buildings of Military Hospital which were devasted during last year’s earthquake and commended the works done by the hospital authorities in restoring the damaged buildings. She also commended the staff for taking care of the patients.

A group of 55 students from various schools in Jammu and Kashmir visited Mumbai as part of Watan Ki Sair-2002.

Watan Ki Sair is an annual national integration programme undertaken by the Indian Army in which Kashmiri children are brought to various parts of the country to give them a glimpse of various regional activities and enable them to interact with the people of these places, said Brig PK Rampal, Commander, Mumbai Sub Area.

During their four-day stay in Mumbai, the children visited Gateway of India, Fantasy Land, INS Viraat, INS Mumbai, Prince of Wales Museum, Aarey Milk Colony, Essel World and Nehru Science Centre. The children led by Maj Rommel Rajain met Mr Hareshwar Patil, Mayor of Mumbai and had lunch with Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr Chhagan Bhujbal.

Military School, Ajmer celebrated its 71st annual day recently. The school cadets put up a variety entertainment programme which included a one-act play in English apart from performance of the school pop band and tabla by cadet Manoranjan. The skits and other items were widely appreciated by the galaxy of audience which included parents, ex-Georgians, retired and service officers and staff of the school.

Maj Gen KN Bhatt, ADG AE and Colonel Commandant of the AEC gave away the prizes and trophies to the winners of various events.
Pratap House won the champions trophy for being the all-round Best House.

The NCC Inter-Group Sailing Expedition-cum-Competition in the backwaters of Kerala was flagged off by Rear Admiral RP Suthan, Chief of Staff, HQSNC from the Naval Base, Kochi. All naval NCC units under the Kerala and Lakshadweep Directorate participated in the event. The expedition comprising 50 cadets, two officers and ten sailors sailed out in five whalers, two kayaks and three power boats to the venue of the competition at Vembanad Lake. It was a ten-day event. A Dolphin Rolling Trophy was awarded to the winning team.

Indian Navy in association with Hero Honda undertook a cross-country motorcycle expedition. The expedition, led by Lt Cdr Abraham Sobers, was flagged off from Marine Drive helipad by Rear Admiral R Chopra, Flag Officer, Sea Training.

A total of 16 naval personnel on Hero Honda CBZ bikes participated in this expedition. They drove through the uncharted terrains of three states, with a message : Concern for the Aged. The team equipped with safety helmets from Vega, sunglasses from Polaroid and fuelled by Indian Oil Corporation visited various Old-age Homes, interacted with the inmates and provided medical assistance. The aim of this expedition was to imbibe a spirit of adventure, courage and endurance amongst the young officers and sailors and educate the younger generation in rural areas about the Armed Forces.

With the motto of ‘Tough men, Tough bikes’, the team passed through forest ranges, tribal lands, wild-life sanctuary and high ranges in the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu covering a distance of 3500 kms in 15 days. The motorcycle expedition returned to the Naval Base, Kochi and was received by Rear Admiral RP Suthan, Chief of Staff, HQSNC. A motorcycle demonstration on safe driving by Hero Honda was a special highlight on the occasion.