The civilian employees of the Armed Forces Headquarters have donated over rupees seventeen lakh to the Prime Minister relief fund for the welfare of quake affected people of Gujarat. A cheque for rupees 17.05 lakh was presented to former Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes by the representatives of the employees . The former Defence Minister appreciated the efforts made by the civilian employees. Additional Secretary Mr Ajay Prasad and Joint Secretary (Training) and Chief Administrative Officer (Defence) were also present on the occasion.

Gen S Padmanabhan, COAS accompanied by Mrs Roopa Padmanabhan visited the fifth Battalion of eleventh Gorkha Rifles guarding the LAC in the Eastern Sector . The COAS was briefed by the Brigade Commander.

The 5/11 GR has rendered commendable service for the upliftment of the local population residing in these remote areas. The local school has been adopted by the Battalion . The instructors posted are on the strength of this Battalion. Meals are also provided to the students who attend school from the nearby villages.

A medical officer of this Battalion has been providing medical cover to the population .

The villagers who are mainly tribals are also being taught the method of growing vegetables.This is being done to supplement their diet which otherwise consists mainly of boiled meat and rice. An experimental garden has also been created where a variety of fruit trees , strawberries and grapes have been planted. The civilian administration has carried out soil testing to study the feasibility of growing fruits in the area.

Raised in the year 1948 , this Battalion has the distinction of earning 1 Ashoka Chakra, 1 Maha Vir Chakra, 3 Vir Chakra , 2 Shaurya Chakra and a large number of other gallantry awards.

The Brigade of the Guards Regimental Centre, Kamptee honoured 43 war widows recently.

Presenting the cheques, the Commandant GRC, Brig Tejinder Singh recalled the valiant deeds of those martyrs who had laid down their lives in the 1962, 1965,1971 and Kargil wars and in operations against insurgents and militants.

Prominent amongst the recipients was Mrs Balam Dina Ekka , widow of L/Nk Albert Ekka who was awarded Param Vir Chakra. He was awarded for his role in Gangasagar
(Bangladesh ) during the 1971 Indo- Pak war.

Mrs Shyama Devi, widow of L/Nk Ram Ugrah Pandey recalled her husband‘s heroic role in the famous Battle of Hilli in Bangladesh during the 1971 war for which he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

Addressing a group of 318 peacekeepers for UN Mission in Ethiopia -Eritrea drawn from 12 Maratha Light Infantry and 61 Engineer Regiment, the Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi stressed upon the need to be impartial and sensitive to the needs of local population. Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi , who is also the Colonel of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, called upon all ranks to spread the message of peace .

Consequent to signing of cessation of hostilities agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea , UN had agreed to send peacekeepers. The 3000 plus peacekeepers includes troops drawn from Kenya, Jordan, Netherlands and Canada.

This mission is unique for Indian troops. During second World War, battalions of Indian Army including 2 Maratha Light Infantry (Kali Panchwin) took part in the battle against Italians on the soil of Eritrea. The ash of Sep Piru Singh of 6 Raj Rif Battalion, who had won the Victoria Cross for his valour, is preserved at the War Memorial in Keran.

Gen S Padmanabhan, Chief of the Army Staff flagged off a 24-member Army Expedition to Mount Everest at South Block, New Delhi.

The expedition is led by Col K Kumar.Attempt to scale this 29028 ft summit will be made during the second week of May from the traditional South - East ridge route.

The expedition is organised by the Army Adventure Wing of the Directorate General of Military Training at Army Headquarters.

Lt Gen Surendra Kumar Jain, Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) at Army Headquarters was awarded the Eminent Engineers award at the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Institution of Engineers ( India) , New Delhi.

Lt Gen S K Jain was commissioned in the Corps of EME on December 11, 1962 and is a winner of DGEME gold medal for standing first in the Degree Engineer Course.

The General Officer has held a number of prestigious commands, General Staff and EME staff appointments at various levels.

The General Officer is a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation.

The Army has constructed a Sadbhavana School at Karu in Ladakh sector to impart primary education to the local children.

The school forms part of welfare activities being undertaken by the Army for the betterment of the life of locals . It will impart education based on the principle of "learning while playing". It aims at an allround development of children by paying a special attention to the co- curriculum activities. It is the only institution of its type in whole of the region having recognition of the J&K Government.

Equipped with all teaching aids, the school has six lady teachers including three from the local area.

Mr Mohd Ayub, Urdu lecturer at GLA College, Daltonganj ( Bihar) and Mr Raja Ram Sharma, Mathematics teacher at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Basohli (J&K) have been adjudged as the best in the senior and junior division NCC Associate Officers Training Course respectively. They were awarded the Director General’s Baton by the Additional Director General NCC, Rear Admiral B K Ray at an impressive passing out parade at the NCC Officers Training School, Kamptee.

Mr Kamal Kumar Sharma commerce lecturer at AS College, Ludhiana and Mr Naveen Kumar Lavaniya, senior science teacher at Goverment Senior Secondary School, Bharatpur were awarded the commandant silver medal in the senior and junior division respectively.

Sixtyfour senior division and 100 junior division cadets participated in the impressive passing-out parade. Having completed a rigorous military training schedule, these college and school teachers will now function as Associate NCC Officers.

Addressing the combined passing out parade, Rear Admiral B K Ray exhorted the Associate NCC Officers to guide the young, exuberant youth to build a better nation. He asked them to set high standards of honour, integrity, loyalty and discipline for the youth to emulate.

He also added that NCC is the largest organised body of youth in the country and is eminently suited to foster the ideals of national integration and develop leadership qualities. "To discipline and motivate the youth is as good as preparing them to face all the challenges in life", he said.

A free medical camp was conducted by the Baval Hospital, INHS Kalyani at Government Junior College, Bheemunipatnam located about 50 kms from the main naval base at Visakhapatnam. The medical camp evoked a good response. The people, who were from a fishing community or ex-servicemen residing in and around Bheemunipatnam, were medically examined by Medical Officers drawn form INHS Kalyani, Eastern Fleet ships and major naval establishments including INS Circar, Satavahana, Virbahu and Kalinga.

The Naval doctors, specialised in various fields including surgery, ophthalmology, ENT, skin , obstetrics and gynaecology provided out-patient service at the camp. After undergoing medical checkups at the camp, the patients were given medicines. The patients who required further investigation were referred to the nearest government hospital. Station Health Organisation of the Eastern Naval Command provided immunisation and health education services.

The camp was organised in association with the Lions Club of Bheemili Greater. Rear Admiral S Mohapatra, the Director , Naval Science and Technological Laboratory(NSTL) inaugurated the camp.

In the continuing efforts by the Army for welfare of the people especially rural population, 86 Armoured Regiment adopted Naran village located five km away from Pathankot. Its economy is largely based on agriculture. Due to scanty rains this time, the village’s economy had been badly affected. To bring some succour to the people, 86 Armoured Regiment organised a medical camp.Free medicines were distributed. An awareness programme was organised advocating benefits of adult literacy ad family planning. On Sarpanch’s request, the ‘Chhiassi’ repaired and increased the dimensions of the village pond. All stagnant water and drains in the village were sprayed with chemicals to make the village malaria-free.

Recently a fire broke out in Premnagar in Pokaran city. Distt- Seventeen Grenadiers (Motorised) Desert Hawks immediately acted and controlled the situation which would otherwise have resulted in damage to property and lives. In doing so the Desert Hawks won the confidence of all the local people of Pokaran city. The SDM, Pokaran appreciated the unit for the timely and much needed assistance.

Gen S Padmanabhan, COAS inaugurated the Army Group Insurance Fund Investment Advisory Commitee (IAC) meet held at Kashmir House. The IAC comprises 10 persons from the field of economics, industry, finance and management. They include Mr S M Datta, Mr Ajit Narain Haksar, Mr Charan Das Khanna, Mr O V Kuruvilla, Dr F A Mehta, Mr SS Marathe, Mr Deepak S Parekh, Mr JS Salunkhe, Mr MS Verma and Mr N A Soonawala. The meeting was attended by the Army Commanders, Principal Staff Officers and senior officers at the Army Headquarters.

The meeting reviewed the present economic scenario in the country, the ongoing economic reforms and the implicataions and impact on AGIF investments.

The Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) was established in January 1976 as a Group Insurance Society. Shortly it will be completing 25 years of its dedicated service. Starting with two schemes in 1976, it has about 15 schemes covering 22 lakh members and equal numbers of dependents. The scheme is managed entirely out of the monthly premium paid by the Army personnel and is essentially a self-help venture. The IAC was instituted in 1981 with the aim of obtaining expert advice on AGIF investments.The members render their valuable advice in an honorary capacity for investments and fund managemet.

The main schemes of AGIF include insurance cover and disability benefits, extended insurance cover and medical benefit scheme (after retirement) medical benefit scheme, house building and conveyance advance, HBA linked group life insurance and personal computer advance schemes.

The AGIF also provides some financial assistance to selected welfare projects of the Army which benefits the serving personnel, widows, disabled personnel, handicapped children, ex- servicemen and their dependents. So far 21 projects have been provided financial assistance .

Vice Admiral PJ Jacob retired from service after a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades. He is a graduate of National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Navy on July 1, 1962. He is a specialist in navigation and direction besides holding a Masters degree in Defence Studies from Madras University. He is also an alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi.

The Flag Officer commanded the Eastern Fleet in 1992-1993 and was subsequently Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command. He has also been the Director General of Indian Coast Guard and the Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters before taking over as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff in March 1998.

He is also a recipient of PVSM, AVSM and VSM for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

An exhibition was organised by Lt Col Atul Kotwal, Commanding Officer of the Field Health Organisation and his staff under the aegis of Sub Area. The exhibition was continued for four days. About 5000 personnel and 3000 families were the target audience. A video-show on topics like childcare, HIV/AIDS, and malaria were organised as part of the health exhibition. Pamphlets on important topics were also distributed to visitors.

Brig TS Chauhan said that "Health education is the best vaccine. People need to adopt and maintain healthy practices and lifestyle which may be totally new to them. Health education is a major means today for achieving change in health practices and recognition of health needs. The results although slow are permanent and enduring".

Lt Col Atul Kotwal informed that the medical services of the Armed Forces believed in providing a comprehensive health care. Health education exhibitions using audio-visual aids are organised for preventive and promotive care.

The Garuda Public School, Kamptee organised a PT display and sports meet at the Albert Ekka Sports Stadium of the Brigade of the Guards Regimental Centre.

All the 300 students of the school participated in a variety of drill displays. Events included a march- past by children, ball drill, boogie woogie drill, butterfly drill, rainbow drill, gypsy drill and short races.

Earlier, Mrs Ritu Brijkrishan, Principal of the school welcomed Brig Tejinder Singh, Commandant Guards Regimental Centre and all parents and children. The Chairman of the school, in his address, exhorted the tiny-tots to learn new things in life. He also complimented the principal, staff and members of the school committe for putting up a very laudable show to make the occasion a grand success.

The annual Army- Air Force Liaison Conference was held under the aegis of Headquarters Western Command in Chandimandir. The conference was jointly presided over by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Surjit Singh and the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy. Senior staff officers also attended the conference.

The conference aimed at promoting jointmanship between the Army and Air Force besides building a high degree of synergy between the two services. A number of important issues pertaining to operations and logistics were discussed during this conference.

The Western Command of the Army and Western Air Command of the Air Force enjoy excellent rapport resulting in complete co-ordination not only during active operations but also while fighting natural calamities and disasters.

The Golden Arrow Division has established a second Sainik Institute at Ferozepur for jawans and their families. Lt Gen Kamal Davar, GOC Vajra Corps inaugurated the institute. He lauded the efforts of the Golden Arrow Artillery Brigade in the institute in a short span of less than two months. It is a significant step in improving the quality of life of jawans who after strenuous tenures in difficult areas look for some relaxation in peace stations.

A number of facilities including open air cinema,snack bar, library, children’s park and a TV room have been provided in the Sainik Institute. The institute is likely to benefit about 4000 soldiers and their families.

The main objectives of the institute are to provide club facilities to jawans at nominal rates, a place for social interaction and entertainment for the jawans and their families.

More facilities would be added to the Sainik Institute in due course of time, said Maj Gen LM Tewari, General Officer Commanding Goldern Arrow Division.

Brig TPS Bakshi, Commander 99 Mountain Brigade inaugurated the Army Recruitment Rally at Sports Stadium Almora. The rally was organised by Recruiting Office Almora. The opening ceremony was attended by the retired and serving officers.

About 10,399 candidates from UP and Uttaranchal participated in the screening process. Of these, 709 candidates appeared in the written exam.

On this occasion, Brig Jagdish Singh, DDG Recruiting (UP, Uttaranchal) said that HQ Rtg Zone Lucknow is making deliberate efforts to hold recruitment rallies in remote areas to be candidate friendly.

Brig Jagdish Singh further said that the rally system has been found to be effective in eliminating touts and agents. The rally was held to recruit Soldier GD, Soldier Clerk/SKT and Soldier Technical.

The 1101 Railway Engineer Regiment (TA) has been presented with the Chairman Railway Board Trophy for being adjudged as the best Railway Territorial Army unit for the year 1998-1999. The General Manager, Northern Railway, Mr SP Mehta made this presentation at a function held at the unit location in Chandigarh

With this, the unit has bagged the prestigious trophy for the fourth time since its raising in 1975. The trophy is awarded on the basis of the performance of a unit in terms of training, inspections and other tasks handled during the year.

The Commanding Officer of the unit, Col P K Gupta and Senior Deputy General Manager, Northern Railway, Mr I P S Anand were also present on the occasion.

The 1101 Railway Engineer Regiment (TA) is deployed in the event of a natural calamity, war and strike by railway employees. The Regiment is capable of running 6 up and 6 down trains in a section of 320 km with the help of 2 operating companies which have drivers, guards and ASMs.