Earlier, a barakhana organised at HRDC was attended by all serving and retired personnel of the AEC at Station. Messages of greetings received from dignitaries were also read out to all ranks including their civilian counterparts. In his message, Lt Gen Surjit Singh, GOC-in-C, Central Command, said that the AEC had made itself compatible to the growing needs of education in the fast- changing environment. "I commend the Corps for its meaningful contribution to the cause of education of the children and wards of the Army personnel", Lt Gen Singh added in his message.

Besides the AEC officers, distinguished guests attended the social evening held at Surya Officers Institute. A variety entertainment in which the AEC personnel and their families participated also marked the occasion.

The Army Education Corps came into being on June 1, 1947 with 40 regular officers, 40 short service commissioned officers, 120 JCOs and 400 other ranks. At present, it has an active strength of about 500 officers, 6000 JCOs and NCOs as well as 100 odd civilians scattered across the country. With its training centre at Pachmarhi, the Corps has been playing the key-role in enhancing the educational standard of troops.