Only a highly knowledgeable and experienced person can venture a book on a specialised subject like Army law. The book "Legislative Safeguards and Immunities to the Military Personnel in India", authored by Mr Surinder Paul Shori, ex-Army Advocate, covers diverse aspects of legislative safeguards and immunities to the Armed Forces personnel in India. It is a rare book on the subject. The book deals with the immunities to the personnel of Armed Forces from the law point of view under Civil and Criminal Procedures. This helps the families, dependants of the Armed Forces personnel and also guides them on issues like the welfare, amenities, retirement and resettlement benefits. A wider scope of constitutional provisions has been exhibited.

The book comprising seven chapters and a foreword by Lt Gen J F R Jacob (Retd), the Governor of Punjab, deals with more than two hundred cases decided by the honourable Supreme Court and other courts of India. The book also includes sixteen appendices mainly, the Indian Soldiers Litigation Act 1925, the Army Act 1950, the Army Rules, 1954, Criminal Courts and Court Martial (Adjustment) Rules, 1978 and other valuable appendices for ready reference. The book will give proper guidance and assistance to the serving as well as ex-servicemen, their dependants and families regarding their rights and benefits for which they are otherwise entitled under the rules and regulations of the present Military Law.

The book will make a distinctive contribution to our knowledge of the law relating to the Armed Forces. It shall prove useful not only to the Bench, the Bar, the legal profession, law students and students of military studies, but also to all the members of the Armed Forces, ex-servicemen, their families, dependants and the general public.

* Legislative Safeguards and Immunities to the Military Personnel in India by SP Shori, Pages : 336, Price : Rs 550

- Sainik Samachar

INS Kora, an indigenously built corvette class ship of the Eastern Fleet, undertook a goodwill visit to Singapore recently. The Indian Naval ship participated in Republic of Singapore Navy Day celebrations followed by International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2001. The ship was open to visitors during the stay and had evoked vast public response. Over 6500 local population, a large number of international delegates and personnel of the participating ships from various countries visited the Indian warship and appreciated the weaponry and equipment onboard. The goodwill visit was aimed at fostering and strengthening the bonds of friendship with the foreign navies which converged in Singapore for the IMDEX.

The participation of INS Kora in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition was a showcase of the Indian shipbuilding industry and its indigenous efforts. This was the first time that so many warships and delegations from various countries including USA, Russia, UK, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan and Bangladesh congregated at Singapore. The ships were berthed in the new and partially commissioned Changi naval base of Republic of Singapore Navy, situated near Changi international airport.

INS Kora took part in Western Pacific nations multilateral harbour exercises conducted by Republic of Singapore Navy, involving tactical manoeuvres and search-and-rescue operations so as to promote mutual confidence and better understanding of procedures of the participating ships. Vice Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff led the Indian delegation at IMDEX. As a part of the exhibition, various seminars, symposia and workshops on current geopolitical, naval technology and regional maritime issues were conducted. A sports Olympiad for the visiting warships was also conducted and INS Kora’s tug-of-war team won the International Tug of War Trophy beating all other visiting ships. The ship was commanded by Commander Sudharshan Shrikhande.

from Visakhapatnam

Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy is the new Vice Chief of Air Staff. Air Marshal Krishnaswamy who is presently AOC-in-C, Western Air Command will succeed Air Marshal Vinod Pateny as the VCAS when he proceeds on superannuation on July 31.

Air Marshal Krishnaswamy has the rare distinction of commanding three operational commands - Western Air Command, South Western Air Command and the Central Air Command. A recipient of the prestigious "Agni Award" for self-reliance in 1999, Air Marshal is a fighter combat leader and a qualified test pilot. A specialist in electronic warfare, he had the distinction of commanding the first electronic warfare squadron of the IAF. Other important assignments held by him include a diplomatic assignment in UK, AOC Air Force Station Pune, Director of Air Staff Requirements, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) and Deputy Chief of Air Staff. An alumnus of DSSC and NDC and a fellow of Aeronautical Society of India, the Air Marshal has been decorated with Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal and a Bar to the medal for his outstanding services.

The tenure of 48 Air Defence Regiment (Sky Shooters) in Jammu and Kashmir valley was extremely challenging. Total dedication, hard work, deep sense of responsibility and commitment enabled the regiment earn a good reputation. Having gloriously completed two years in the active counter insurgency operations, the unit descended from the Himalayan Hills to the picturesque location of Deolali in the Sahyadri hills in December 1997, where it got the unique opportunity to show its prowess in training and sports events.

The Sky Shooters ushered the training year 2000-2001 with winning 769 (I) Air Defence Brigade Football Championship. Not content with this, the unit won the Brigade volleyball, basketball, cross country and wrestling championships in a row. The volleyabll team of the officers of the unit also stood first in the 769 (I) Air Defence Brigade Inter Unit Officers Volleyball Championship.

The Sky Shooters continued their domination in the station sports events as well by winning the School of Artillery championship in hockey, volleyball and kabaddi. The Sky Shooters have created a virtual history by holding twelve championship trophies

The proficiency is not limited to the sports field alone. The regiment, in the professional arena too, stood first in 769(I) Air Defence Brigade Inter Unit Trade Test Competition in gunner and operator trades.

input : Lt Col Anil Sofat

Lt Gen Mohinder Singh Wadalia passed away on May 20. He was 93 years old. Draped in the Tricolour, he was cremated with full military honours at the Cantonment Cremation Ground, Delhi. The Last Post was also sounded. Those who turned up to give him a touching farewell and place wreaths included many of his colleagues, friends and old soldiers.

Born in 1908, Lt Gen Wadalia belonged to Sialkot district and came from a land-owning family. Commissioned in 1929 from Royal Military College, Sandhurst as a KCIO, he was initially posted to 4/19 Hyderabad Infantry (later 4 Kumaon). Some years later, he got himself transferred to the 16th Light Cavalry.

He was appointed Adjutant of the regiment at Peshawar during 1940-41 when the regiment was still having a few British officers who held mostly war time/temporary commissions. The regiment, then being a horsed cavalry regiment, helped him excel in equestrian sports and to become an excellent polo player. His love for horses saw him setting up his own stud farm after his retirement.

His first wife, Martha came from a well known Belgian industrialist family, while he was from an affluent Sikh family. He was a man of exceptional patience and ability whose wonderful character aroused affection and esteem in all who knew him. After Partition in 1947, he got rapid promotions and became Indian Army's Chief of General Staff and later Deputy Chief (known today as Vice Chief of Army Staff) under Gen J N Chaudhuri, another officer from 16th Light Cavalry.

Amongst important appointments held by him were Adjutant and Second-in-Command of the 16th Light Cavalry, Military Adviser to the Indian High Commissioner in UK, BGS at HQ Eastern Command (then located at Ranchi), Commander 1 Armoured Brigade, Commandant of Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun, GOC 1 Armoured Division and Deputy Chief of Army Staff before he finally retired. Though he never commanded 16th Light Cavalry or Deccan Horse, he loved both regiments equally and endeared himself to the men of both units. He donated money equally to both regiments and will be remembered fondly by all those who knew him. He was Colonel of Deccan Horse from 1949 to 1964 till his retirement.

After the death of his first wife, he married for the second time. He is survived by his wife, Aruna and his daughter, Tara. With his passing away, an era has passed into history.

An All India National Cadet Corps Boys Mountaineering Expedition to Manali Peak (5, 669 M) in the Western Himalayas was flagged off in New Delhi by Lt Gen A S Rao, Director General NCC. The expedition team consisted of twenty NCC boy cadets who had qualified basic courses in mountaineering.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Rao said that participation in the expedition enables the cadets to foster a sense of fraternity, brotherhood and adventure.

Scaling the peak requires expertise in both ice-craft and rock-craft because the team would have to negotiate a number of creasses and water channels enroute. The scaling of the peak requires meticulous technical planning and excellent climbing skills. The expedition will also carry out a study of flora and fauna of the terrain.

The participating cadets were drawn from the UP, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, North Eastern Region, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar NCC Directorates. Lt Col JS Dhillon, a veteran mountaineer, is the leader of the expedition.

PIB (DW)

The people of Nagaland have realised that they cannot grow and progress as long as violence dominates their society. This was amply demonstrated when over 15000 people congregated to witness the two-day Nagaland cultural festival organised at Zakhama Military Station. The festival was organised by the Army and Assam Rifles.

The celebration was inaugurated by the Governor of Nagaland, Mr OP Sharma. It included a guard of honour to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Mr SC Jamir by the village guards of Mon and Tuensang district. The cultural troupes of AO, Chang, Timchunger, Pochury and Lotha tribes performed various dances. The security forces presented Nepali dance, lezium and malkan.

The aim of organising such a cultural festival, according to Maj Gen RN Kapur, was to give a filip to the present peace process in the state and to strengthen the bond of unity amongst different tribes.

Maj Gen RN Kapur, IGAR (North) gave away cash awards and gifts to troupes and other participants.