The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes visited Guwahati. He addressed the troops at Narangi Cantonment, called on the Governor of Assam, Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and delivered the Lachit Barphukan Memorial Lecture 2000 at the Guwahati University.

Station Commander of the Adhoc Station Headquarter, Changsari, inaugurated a civic action project under operation Samaritan at village Balahatti near Changsari in district Kamrup. The work executed at Balahatti involved renovation of the existing school building, construction of black topped road for one-and-a-half km connecting the village to NH-31 at an estimated cost of Rs 4.31 lakh. The Engineer Regiment assisted the locals in construction of two bus shelters which was a long felt requirement of the locals. The work was completed in a record time of two weeks.

A Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programme was held at the base hospital in Guwahati. It was inaugurated by Maj Gen I J S Bora, GOC 101 Area.

The inauguration was followed by lectures by eminent doctors from civil and Army. The deliberations covered coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, malaria, missile injuries and osteoarthrities.

About 250 NCC cadets took part in pulse polio immunisation programme in Guwahati. Girl cadets including those trained in hospital duties administered polio doses to the children. Col P C Bundhela, Commander NCC, Guwahati inaugurated the programme at the Chandmari Health Centre. He said that such activities would foster the spirit of service among youth and provide impetus to the NCC activities in the state.

The CSD Depot, Narangi organised a two-day sale-cum- after-sales service mela. Col Vijay Saxena, officiating Commander, HQ 51 Sub Area inaugurated the mela. A number of leading suppliers of electrical, electronic and house-hold goods participated in the mela. The opportunity was availed of by a large number of consumers to familiarise themselves with the latest products in CSD range.

The millennium musical concert was organised by 29 Assam Rifles recently. The concert was organised to usher in the joyous-spirit of christmas and new year. True to its motto "Friends of Hill People" organised this event to project the friendly image of Assam Rifles and to bring more understanding between security forces and the people.

The audience was treated to Methaneilie solo, Linda solo, vizo, S brothers, aliens and 4 NAP band. Lt Gen TS Shergill, GOC 3 Corps, Maj Gen R N Kapur, GOC Nagaland, Mr Imkong, Minister for Industry and Commerce, Mr Raghu Menon, Mr MN Walling and others participated in the musical concert.