At Guards Regimental Centre (GRC), Kamptee, 192 recruits have been formally inducted as battle-ready soldiers of the Brigade of the Guards, the most highly-decorated and elite regiment of the Indian Army. These young soldiers had taken the first tentative steps into the Centre 34 weeks ago. On the occasion, they presented a passing-out parade displaying excellent timing, perfect coordination and a high standard of discipline.

The passing-out parade was reviewed by the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Headquarters Maintenance Command Air Force, Air Marshal D C Nigam. Speaking on the occasion, he exhorted the young soldiers to endeavour to live upto the high standards of bravery and courage set by their predecessors.

Later, Air Marshal Nigam presented the General Cariappa Trophy for overall best performance to Sumit Kumar of Shivaji Training Company. Madan Singh of Cariappa Company, who was the parade commander of the day, was adjudged best in drill.

Manoj Kumar of Chandragupta, Ketouza of Pratap, Sandeep Dagar of Tipu, Kuldip of Cariappa and Sumit Kumar of Shivaji were adjudged best in their respective training platoons. Other award winners included Smartson of Chandragupta, Vinod Kumar of Pratap, Khushwaha of Shivaji, Manoj Kumar of Tipu and Suryavanshi of Cariappa as they stood best in firing in their respective training platoons.

Observing `Quality Week' is an annual feature of Naval Dockyard, Mumbai and is aimed at spreading quality consciousness and awareness amongst its workers. This year's ‘Quality Week’ was inaugurated by Rear Admiral DSP Verma, Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. This year the theme was ‘Quality repairs on Time : Always and Every Time’.

A seminar on "Benefits accrued from implementation of ISO 9000 based Quality Management System in the Navy" received encouraging response and a large number of papers were received from outstation units. The workshop of Quality Circles was conducted in which eminent speakers from the Quality Circle Forum of India, Mumbai Chapter participated.

A seminar on "Quality assurance in marine corrosion control by paint" was also organised. A total of seven papers by eminent speakers from paint industry and other civil organisations were deliberated. Presentation on selected case studies by yard's Quality Circles was held and three best case studies were selected for presentation at the Mumbai Chapter Convention of Quality Circle Forum of India.

In addition, a poster and slogan competition was also organised. On this occasion, a souvenir was released by Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

The Central Command Satellite Communication Network has been commissioned by Goc-in-C, Central Command, Lt Gen P S Joshi at Lucknow Cantonment. The network is capable of providing failsafe communication during disaster management and at the time of emergencies like earthquakes and floods when conventional communication set-up gets disrupted.

Set up to solve the problem mainly in the hilly areas of Uttaranchal, it is the sixth satellite station commissioned in the Central Command. Four more stations
will also be commissioned. The network will, however, be controlled from the central hub located in New Delhi.

Maj Gen Nilendra Kumar took over as Judge Advocate General (JAG) on retirement of Maj Gen S K Sanan, at Army Headquarters in New Delhi.

Maj Gen Nilendra Kumar has a rich experience of staff and unit appointments. A product of National Defence Academy, he took part in 1971 war on the western front while serving in the Artillery. He has been Deputy JAG of Western and Northern Commands too. Before taking up the present appointment, he has been the Deputy JAG, Headquarters Central Command.

He is a great champion of adherence to human rights and dignity of soldiers. He is credited with introduction of various measures instituted for better management of military-legal machinery. Drawing extensively over his experience of more than 32 years in tackling different types of disciplinary cases, he has brought about qualitative changes by suitable use of case studies in the training of military law and law of war.

Maj Gen Kumar perceives high discipline as a battle winning factor. A staunch believer in the rule of law and a well known progressive military thinker, he is the author of four books on military law.

The body of Sep Sajith Kumar S of 20 Madras, currently serving with the 25 Rashtriya Rifles, was brought to Thiruvananthapuram. He laid down his life in an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir. The body was received with full military honours at Air Force airbase, Shanghumugham. After a general salute by the soldiers of 17 Madras, Mr MM Hassan, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Kerala, laid the wreath on behalf of Chief Minister of Kerala. Wreaths were laid by Col BP Ramesh on behalf of Southern Army Commander and Gp Capt Rajesh Kumar on behalf of Southern Air Command Chief. The wreaths were also laid by Lt Col CSVT Nair on behalf of Station Commander, Pangode and Wg Cdr Yogesh Jain on behalf of Air Force Station, Shanghumugham.

Floral tributes were also paid by
Mr Rajan P Abraham, State Protocol Officer for Government of Kerala,
Mr TS Vijaya Kumar ADM Thiruvananthapuram on behalf of District Collector, Mr R Ramadas, RDO, Chenganoor, on behalf of District Collector, Alapuzha, Mr Koyakunju, Director-in-Charge Sainik Welfare Board and Capt PKR Nair. A large number of mourners from the martyr's native village including his relatives were present to receive the body.

Brig A K Samantaray took over as Secretary, National Defence College in New Delhi. He was earlier Brigadier Administration, Headquarters Central Command. A post-graduate of Madras University, Brig Samantaray got commission in the Army on June 9, 1968.

During 32 years of colourful service, Brig Samantaray has served as an Instructor at School of Artillery and Colonel Instructor at Armoured Corps Centre and School. After having commanded a Field Regiment (SP), he served as Deputy Commander of a mountain brigade and later commanded another mountain brigade. For fighting insurgency in Kashmir valley, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1993.

`India on the Move', a float prepared by the NCC Directorate of Kerala and Lakshadweep under the guidance of Deputy Director General, Brig K Mahadevan was adjudged first by the jury amongst thirty participating departments in this year's Onam pageantry in Thiruvananthapuram. This is the third successive year when the NCC Directorate of Kerala and Lakshadweep has achieved this unique honour. Speaking on the occasion, Brig K Mahadevan complimented the NCC cadets who helped to make the float.

Rear Admiral SS Byce took over as the Chief of Staff Western Naval Command. Rear Admiral Byce, an alumnus of National Defence Academy, was commissioned in the Indian Navy in January 1969.

The Flag Officer is an anti- submarine warfare specialist and has held a number of important operational and staff appointments both afloat and ashore. His afloat appointments include command of INS Ghorpad (landing ship tank), INS Subhadra (offshore patrol vessel), INS Trishul (guided missile frigate) and Ranjit (guided missile destroyer).

Rear Admiral Byce has also held a diplomatic assignment at the High Commission of India at Dhaka. He is a fellow of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies. He was a senior directing staff at the National Defence College, New Delhi and Flag Officer Sea Training of the Indian Navy. He was Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet prior to taking over as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command.

A Hepatitis-B vaccination camp was organised recently at Chandimandir Military Station. As many as 700 persons including officers, Junior Commissioned Officers, jawans and their family members were vaccinated against the deadly disease at the camp.

Organised by a regiment, better known as the `Roaring Fifty', the camp was inaugurated by Mrs Promil Sharma. The first lady of the regiment, Mrs Jasminder Kaur Jaggi was also present on the occasion.

Vaccination was done under the overall supervision of the Regimental Medical Officer, Maj Rajesh Khanna. At the end of the camp, Maj Khanna gave a talk on causes and prevention of Hepatitis-B. He said the troops and the families were made aware of the dangers of the disease through education during sainik sammelans and family welfare meets in the regiment on various occasions.

Rear Admiral JS Bedi took over the reins of Indian Navy's Western Fleet from Rear Admiral SS Byce at a ceremonial parade held onboard INS Viraat in Mumbai.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Rear Admiral Bedi was commissioned in the Navy in 1969. A graduate of Royal Naval Staff College, UK and a post-graduate of Naval War College, USA, Rear Admiral Bedi is a specialist in communication and electronic warfare.

Rear Admiral Bedi has held many important staff, instructional and command appointments. His sea appointments include Executive Office of a missile frigate and commands of ships Atul (seaward defence boat), ‘Bedi’ (ocean going minesweeper), ‘Udaygiri’ (frigate), ‘Ranvir’ (missile destroyer) and the aircraft carrier Viraat. He has also commanded the Naval Academy at Goa and was the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (policy and plans) at Naval Headquarters as well. Prior to taking over present appointment, Rear Admiral Bedi was the Chief of Staff of Western Naval Command.

For his meritorious services of exceptionally high order, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Mrs Roopa Padmanabhan, President of Army Wives Welfare Association and wife of Gen S Padmanabhan, Chief of the Army Staff visited the family quarters of the jawans posted in operational area in Delhi Cantt. She interacted with the families personally and emphasised that women are equal partners in the service of the nation with their husbands who are operationally committed.

A debate with a motion—‘working ladies are more successful wives’—was organised by the ladies on this occasion. When the motion was put to vote, it was carried through with a slender margin. Mrs Padmanabhan summing up the debate again emphasised the role of the soldiers' wives as a major moral booster.

Lt Gen S P Malhotra, the new Commandant of Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre, School and Records visited the AMC War Memorial in Lucknow cantonment and placed a wreath in homage to those who laid down their lives. Lt Gen Malhotra on arrival at the Centre Headquarters, was received by Maj Gen A K Misuriya.

A graduate of Kanpur Medical College, Lt Gen Malhotra got commissioned in the AMC in June 1964. He has a vast experience of holding important staff and command appointments. He is a graded ENT specialist and has served as Senior Advisor in various service hospitals. He has been a Professor and Head of Department ENT at the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.

He is a recognised post-graduate teacher of many universities and has published many papers in Indian and international journals. He has also served in field area during Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971.

He has also held the appointment of DMS (P&M) in the office of DGMS (Navy) at Naval Headquarters. Before taking over the present assignment,
Lt Gen Malhotra had been serving with the Indian Navy as Commanding Officer INHS, Asvini, Mumbai in the rank of Surgeon Rear Admiral.

He has been awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished and outstanding contributions to the services.

The fifth Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry under 21 Mountain Division continued with their efforts to provide respite to the people of Assam in Nalbari district by organising a medical camp at the remote Barimakha village. Around 5000 patients were treated at the camp and free medicines were distributed. Medical aid was given by twelve doctors including gynaecologist, eye specialist, Ent specialist, and paediatricians. A minor surgical OT was established alongwith lab facilities. The medical aid provided by Army in malaria hit remote village of Nalabari district was a boon to the local people of the area where medical facilities are virtually non-existent.

The body of L/NK (GD) A Surendran of 35 Medium regiment, who laid down his life in a counter-insurgency operation in J & K, was brought to Thiruvananthapuram. The body was received with full military honours at Shanghumugham Air Force air base. After a general salute by the soldiers of 2/8 Gorkha Regiment, Col BLT Joseph, Gp Capt J Arunachalam laid wreaths on behalf of GOC-in-C, Southern Command and AOC-in-C, Southern Air Command respectively. Wreaths were also laid on behalf of Government of Kerala, Chief Minister of Kerala, District Collector and Tamil Nadu Government.

Floral tributes were also paid by
Wg Cdr Yogesh Jain, Commanding Officer, Air Force Station, Thiruvananthapuram, Maj G Sanjeev, Station Commander, Pangode Military Centre and Mr Koya Kunju of Sainik Welfare Board.

A large number of mourners from the martyr's native village, including his brother Mr Sivan, were present to receive the body. Later, the body was taken to Palivilagam of Kanyakumari district, the martyr's native village, for cremation with full military honours. L/NK A Surendran, a bachelor, is survived by mother, four sisters and three brothers.

Mrs Suniti Nanavatty, President AWWA, HQ Northern Command visited the APS Junior Wing, Udhampur recently.

Mrs Nanavatty expressed her satisfaction on the functioning of the institution. She desired that the students should be informed about the environment and appreciative towards the dignity of labour. She stressed that the over-all development of the students should be the topmost priority of the teachers.

In the continuous efforts to bring development to the district of Darrang, troops of HQ 11 Mountain Brigade operating in lower Assam constructed a sports complex at Khoirabari as part of its ongoing operation "Samaritan" project. The sports complex was inaugurated by Brig Sandip Sen, Commander, 11 Mountain Brigade.

The project was undertaken as a welfare measure for upliftment of the people of Khoirabari and surrounding villages. The sports complex includes facilities for football, hockey, volleyball, basketball and a shed with a seating capacity for 150 persons. During the ceremony, sports kit for hockey was presented to the students. Necessary assistance is being provided by the Army to the locals for the upkeep of this facility.

The troops of HQ 11 Mountain Brigade had earlier organised a medical camp and opened a knitting and stitching centre at Khoirabari. At present, 30 girls are being trained at this centre. The locals have appreciated the work done by the Army and now realise the importance of peace in the state.

As part of the ongoing drive for providing better amenities for the families and children of junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and other ranks (ORs), the Battle Axe gunners have developed a children's park at the Tower Colony of Nasirabad Station. Mrs Lakshmi Hari Prasad, President Desert Corps Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) inaugurated the park and declared it open to the children of the garrison. The children's park has a water fountain, wooden balance, sea-saw, rocking board, jhulas, benches, aviary, combination swing, sports facilities and a well laid-out garden with walking paths.

For the families of the garrison, the Battle Axe Artillery Brigade has established a mini-welfare center with stitching and tailoring centre, PCO booth, vegetable shop, ice-cream and soft drink parlour, provision store and a fast food stall. Mrs Hari Prasad lauded the initiative and drive taken by Mrs Mala Jamwal, President Battle Axe AWWA, to bring this project to fruition. She expressed her hope that other stations would also follow the example.

Army Public School, Lucknow won the overall championship in the debate and declamation competition for Army Schools and Army Public Schools of the Central Command hosted by the Army School, Lucknow.

Debating for the motion, "The brave new world of human cloning - an entry into God's domain", Abhijeet Singh of APS Lucknow topped followed by Alpi Chauhan of Army School, Kanpur. Speaking against the motion, Shwitang Singh of APS Lucknow and Kriti Singh of Army School Kanpur shared the first position. Sadhna Jha of Army School Lucknow was declared the runners-up.

Speaking on "Empowerment of Indian women - myth or a reality", in the declamation contest, Sonali Salins of Army School Kanpur came first while Sangeeta Rajwal stood second. Mr M Subrahmaniyam, a retired IAS officer, who headed the panel of judges, presented the overall championship trophy and prizes to the winners.