The Meghalaya State Ex-servicemen rally was held at 58 Gorkha Training Centre, Shillong. The aim of the Rally was to generate awareness among ex- servicemen about the various welfare schemes being implemented by state and central governments. A large number of retired soldiers from Army, Navy and Air Force, their families and war widows attended the rally. Mr MM Jacob, Governor of Meghalaya, was the chief guest on the occasion. The rally included hearing on the grievances of ex-servicemen and war widows. A cultural programme and barakhana were the other highlights of the meet.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jacob outlined the various schemes being implemented by the government for the welfare of the ex-servicemen. The state government has been complementing the efforts of the centre in this respect, he added. He presented gifts to 21 ex-servicemen and 29 war widows on the occasion.

Maj Gen RR Goswami, GOC, 101 Area, in his address, highlighted the features of the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) launched on April 1, last year.

Earlier, Brig WJB Sturgeon, Commandant, 58 GTC welcomed the chief guest and ex-servicemen, their families and war widows.

Maj Gen MS Rathore, GOC, Ball of Fire Division launched a campaign urging the militants to give up violence. He exhorted the militants to shun the path of violence and to join the mainstream.

Responding to the campaign launched by the GOC, 33 hardcore militants formally surrendered at an impressive ceremony organised at Udalguri. The militants handed over a large quantity of arms and ammunition. Earlier, 10 hardcore militants had surrendered at Borrangajuli in Darrang district.

Militants disclosed that many more cadres were contemplating to give up arms. They said that they were finding it very difficult to sustain themselves due to the intensive operations launched by security forces.

Army School, Basistha held annual sports meet. The meet commenced with a marchpast by the students of the school. Brig SC Uppal, Commander, 51 Sub Area was the chief guest on the occasion. The school was established in 1992 and has approximately 300 students on its roll.

The children presented yoga, PT drill, classical dance and various sports events. The main attraction of the programme was yogasanas enthusiastically performed by the students. The audience were spellbound by Jyoti dance in satriya style. The Chairman of the School, Brig Pradeep Kumar released the first edition of the school magazine, Sangam.

A national integration camp was held at Harchura. Altogether, 668 cadets participated in the camp including 197 girls, of both the senior and the junior divisions of NCC. The camp was inaugurated by Brig RR Nautiyal, Deputy Director General, NCC North Eastern Region Directorate, Shillong. The children participated in various activities like debates, quiz competitions, presentations on cultural heritage and guest lectures. Visits were also conducted to tea gardens, Assam Valley School, Counter-Insurgency Training School (CITS), Kaziranga National Park and Air Force Station, Tezpur.

The camp culminated with a colourful cultural show where the cadets displayed amazing talents in music and performing arts. The chief guest on the occasion, Brig DVS Rathi, DDMEM, Gajraj Corps, complemented the cadets on their stellar performance. Later, he distributed prizes to winners of various competitions.

On the occasion of Bihu, a festival widely celebrated in the North-East, Mrs Jasbir Mohinder Singh, President, AWWA visited Appu School, Army School and Little Flower School at Tezpur. Mrs Singh distributed sweets and snacks among the children on the occasion. The children greeted the President with flowers and cards.

A presentation was organised on taking up a career in Army by a team of officers of 5 Assam Rifles Harchura.

Altogether, 650 NCC cadets including 250 girls cadets attended the programme which commenced with the screening of a film by the recruiting directorate titled ‘Do you have it in you?’. The film received an overwhelming response from the cadets and the efforts were lauded by all. Many an aspiring cadet came forward at the end of the programme to satisfy their queries. The NCC authorities requested that more such workshops should be organised to provide right guidance to the aspirants.

Lt Gen Anup S Jamwal assumed the command of the Gajraj Corps. He succeeded Lt Gen Mohinder Singh, who has been appointed Adjutant General of the Indian Army. Lt Gen Jamwal headed the Red Horn Division in Assam during 1999-2001 and also served as GOC, ATNKK & G Area.

The Lieutenant General has had a distinguished career holding various prestigious command, staff and instructional appointments in India and abroad (Iraq). He commanded a regiment in Siachen Glacier.

Assam Rifles, affectionately called the "Friends of the Hill People", recently conducted operation Sampark. Operation Sampark was an excursion programme conducted for children drawn from all over the nation. These children assembled in Delhi and later commenced their memorable journey to the North-East. The group comprised over 200 participants.

Lt Gen HS Kanwar, Director General, Assam Rifles, during his interaction with media, highlighted that all the participants were selected from remote areas so that they could be given an opportunity to explore the rich culture and heritage of their motherland. The itinerary was meticulously planned so as to expose these children to the mystique scenic beauty, flora and fauna, cultural heritage and places of historical value in the North-East. In Delhi, the children met President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Chief of the Army Staff, Gen NC Vij and senior officials.

Two-hundred-and-seven recruits from the 268th batch of Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong were attested as soldiers at a colourful attestation parade held at the Parsons parade Ground of Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) at Happy Valley, Shillong. Col JS Bawa, Commandant of ARC, reviewed the parade and took the general salute. Also present on the occasion was the Deputy Commandant of the Centre, Col D Binda.

In his address, Col Bawa lauded the young soldiers for their smart turnout and high standard of drill. He congratulated them for successfully completing the training to become proud soldiers of the regiment and also exhorted them to meet every challenge ahead. He also gave away Captain Mohan Singh Trohpy to Sep Jalem Wanjem who was adjudged the best recruit during the training.