Following his recent visit to the ships of the Indian Navy in Bombay the President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, in a letter addressed to the Defence Minister said :

"I write to say how very pleased I was to visit the INSs " Delhi" and "Rana" during my brief visit to Bombay. I was much impressed with all that I saw on board these ships, and particularly with the smart turnout and bearing of the Officers and men of our Navy who greeted me and whom I addressed on the occasion.

My visit has further strengthened my belief in the great future of the Indian Navy and I wish the Officers and men of the Navy, serving on land and sea, all success in their future endeavour.

I shall be glad, if you will kindly convey my thanks and appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy, and the Officers and men under his command, for the opportunity which they provided me to visit the ships and for the excellent arrangement that was made in connection with my visit."

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The Punjab Government is offering a number of scholarships, of the value of Rs. 600 per annum, each tenable for a period not exceeding eight years, for Punjabi Cadets at the Prince of Wales’s Military College, Dehra Dun. The value of each of these scholarships, it is officially stated, could be raised upto Rs 1,500 per annum in the case of boys of military stock, should the financial circumstances of the family justify such a concession.

The scholarships are open to all Cadets who are residents of the Punjab State, including the sons of serving personnel and ex-Soldiers.

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That India’s soldiers now serving in the Army are utilising their spare time in the pursuit of arts was demonstrated, recently, when nearly 100 paintings, executed mainly by soldiers and Officers serving in the E P Area, were exhibited at the East Punjab Area Art Exhibition held in the Amritsar Cantonment.

A number of civilians were also invited. Some of the works were remarkable and it appeared that the soldiers had used their brush with remarkable success. Apart from the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and General Cariappa, natural scenery and objects of common interest seen in daily life had received attention.

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A unique function was witnessed by the citizens of Jalaun (UP) on the occasion of the Re-union Day of the ex-Servicemen celebrated recently by the District Soliders’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Board. An interesting and lively programme was drawn up. This included re-union of ex-Servicemen, sports and an impressive Police Band display.

Recruitment to the Indian Army was also made. Major H S Taragi, Secretary, UP, SS & A. Board paying tribute to the ex-Servicemen and serving soldiers, explained the measures adopted by the Government for the welfare of the ex-Servicemen and their dependents. He exhorted the ex-Servicemen and serving soldiers to be loyal to the Government.

The dependents of two ex-Servicemen were helped by cash awards amounting to Rs. 100 and Rs. 40/-

The number of ex-Servicemen and serving soldiers in the District according to the official figures is 5,555.

The function ended with the distribution of prizes by Mrs Speirs, wife of the Superintendent of Police, Jalaun.

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The Re-union of ex-Servicemen of Mainpuri District was held recently under the Presidentship of Shri Bisheshwar Nath, District Magistrate, Mainpuri. The meeting was attended by over six hundred ex-Servicemen and others. Capt A R Sharma, ARO Agra and Shri K P Singh, Secretary, District Sailors’, Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Board, Mainpuri, addressed the gathering on the welfare of ex-Servicemen and explained the facilities existing for them.