Defence Minsiter, Mr George Fernandes visited the 109 Infantry Brigade in the Gurez Sector. He was accompanied by Lt Gen H M Khanna, Army Commander, Northern Command. The Minister was received by Lt Gen JR Mukherjee, GOC 15 Corps and Brig Soli N Pavri, Commander, 109 Infantry Brigade at the helipad. He was then taken to the Brigade Headquarters where he interacted with the troops of all the units of the brigade. Mr Fernandes exhorted the troops to maintain vigil along the LOC and thwart any nefarious designs of the adversary.

A colourful attestation parade was held in which 105 recruits, after 34 weeks of rigorous training, were attested as full-fledged soldiers at the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre in Lucknow Cantonment.

The recruits belonged to three different platoons. Before joining their allotted units, the newly inducted soliders of the 11 Gorkha Rifles will also be given counter insurgency training for three weeks.

Capt R L Sharma was the parade Adjutant and Sub KK Subba was the Parade Commander.

Lt Gen RM Chadha, Chief of Staff, Central Command who attested the recruits also reviewed the parade and later took salute at the march past. Addressing the young soldiers, he cautioned them about the present security environment in the country, Pakistan's proxy war in J & K and other subversive activities in the rest of the country. He asked them to be always alert.

Lt Gen R M Chadha also awarded the best recruits of the 3 batches. The awarded recurits were Anil Rai, Pramod Bomjan and Santabir Limbu. Each of them was presented the Commandant's Khukri.

To commemorate India's 50th year of Republic, the Indian Navy has planned to host an International Fleet Review (IFR-2001) at Mumbai from February 15-19, 2001. The Indian Navy had organised 7 reviews so far and this 8th review will be the largest of its kind to be held in Asia.

Talking to press persons, Rear Admiral Bangara said that in this five-day mega event, a total of 70 foreign and Indian ships will take part. All participating ships will be anchored off the Gateway of India for review by the President of India. The ships will be dressed overall with ceremonial flags and function will be conducted in public view off Apollo Bunder with full naval tradition and honour including fly past by naval aircraft.

The traditional naval ceremony of Beating the Retreat will be held at the Gateway of India on February 17 in which President of India will be the chief guest. Next day International City Parade will take place, in which the Indian Navy is to display naval armament and water sports and stage naval commando demonstration, air display, para sailing and many more events.

The grand finale to the IFR-2001 will be scintillating-a cultural and popular entertainment programme, staged by the most talented artists in the country.

Gifts were distributed to war widows and sweets to the battle casualties on the occasion of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Day at Pune. A function was held at the Mercury Hall of the Signal Centre by the ladies of AWWA Southern Command to celebrate the day. A variety entertainment programme which included fashion show and AWWA queen contest was also organised on the occasion. The wives of all senior officers of the Southern Command participated in the function.

Earlier, the ladies visited the Artificial Limb Centre(ALC), Pune and distributed sweets among the battle casualties admitted at the centre. At the ALC, the ladies were received by Brig Ashok Kumar, Commandant, ALC. They interacted with each patient and presented a packet of sweets to them. This visit of the senior ladies of AWWA Southern Command was a big morale booster for the battle casualties.

Two hundred and seventy nine men and 64 women cadets passed out as commissioned officers of the Indian Army after completing their rigorous training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. Lt Gen H B Kala, GOC-in-C, Army Training Command, reviewed the passing-out parade and presented awards to the meritorious cadets.

Academy Under Officer Abhishek Singh received the Sword of Honour for being the best all-round cadet. The gold medal was also awarded to him for standing first in order of merit. Among the lady cadets, Senior Under Officer Rupinder Kaur won the gold medal for standing first in order of merit and the silver medal was won by lady cadet BK Chiranjay. The Chief of Army Staff's Banner for the best all-round Company was won by Phillora Company.

The 74 Medium Regiment celebrated its 36th Raising Day recently somewhere in the Western Sector with enthusiasm. The celebrations started with Mandir and Gurudwara functions followed by a special Sainik Sammelan.

Speaking on the occasion, Col SP Sarma, Commanding Officer said that the Regiment had grown during the last 35 years and had matured into one of the finest artillery units of the Indian Army.

The Commanding Officer gave away awards to many jawans and outstanding sportsmen. The celebrations were attended by many serving and retired officers and jawans who came from all over the country. Officers Mess function, barakhana and a variety entertainment show were also held on the occasion.

from Jodhpur

The 1642 Field Post Office was formally inaugurated by Col GK Mediratta, Station Commander, Khalsi recently at Nurla. The Field Post Office has been opened for the troops stationed at Nurla, mainly for Kargil heroes and 2 Raj Rifles who had shown tremendous courage during operation Vijay.

Lt Gen Surjit Singh, GOC-in-C, Central Command, moved to Chandimandir on transfer to take up his new assignment of the Western Army Commander. A number of functions were organised at Lucknow to bid farewell to Lt Gen Surjit Singh and Mrs Deep Surjit Singh. The Lieutenant General addressed Army officers at Headquarters, Central Command and also inspected a guard of honour before his departure.

In commemoration of the 14th Founder's Day of Army Public School, Lucknow, an Art and Crafts Exhibition was organised in the school premises recently.

Aimed at involving maximum children in exhibiting their talents, the exhibition had stalls for woodcraft, textile designing, tailoring, soft toys, carpentry and cross stitch. The electronic and social science departments also displayed a number of their projects.

Mrs Sharda Chadha, Vice President Army Wives' Welfare Association, Central Command inaugurated the exhibition. After going around the exhibition, Mrs Chadha commended the efforts put in by the students and teachers in holding the exhibition.

Earlier, a cultural programme was held at the Surya Auditorium which commenced with the "Prayer for Peace" followed by folk songs, qawwali, bhangra and skits.

– Dhirendra Ojha
from Lucknow

Lt Gen R M Chadha, Chief of the Staff, Headquarters Central Command has said that a new perspective was required towards environmental aspects and a new strategy was to be evolved to check the environmental degradation. He was chairing the conference on ecological and environmental matters at Headquarters Central Command.

Various important issues related to ecology and environment like closer interaction with state government, pollution control, bio-diversity, wasteland development projects, garbage disposal and tree plantation etc were discussed.

The conference was attended by various formation commanders. The Chief Enginner, Central Command, Maj Gen Prakash Suri conducted the conference.

To revive modern archery at Allahabad, the Indian Army's Red Eagle Division has taken an initiative and opened an Archery Club at Red Eagle Joginder Singh Sports Stadium. This club was inaugurated by the General Officer Commanding of Red Eagle Division, Maj Gen DP Singh. The basic aim of raising the Archery Club here is to develop a spirit of adventure amongst the officers, men and their children. Speaking on the occasion, Gen DP Singh emphasised the need to spot and nurture young talents, who have an inclination for this traditional sport and subsequently train them for national and international archery competitions.

–Sqn Ldr RK Singh
from Allahabad

Lt Gen R K Jetley has been appointed as the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services. Prior to this appointment , Lt Gen Jetley was holding the appointment of DGMS (Army) in Army Headquarters.

Lt Gen Jetley is a graduate of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana and is a specialist in medicine, tuberculosis and chest diseases. He is a recognised teacher and examiner of Universities of Pune, Delhi and NBE. Lt Gen R K Jetley, during his 37 year- long career, has held various important assignments viz DDMS (Northern Command) during Operation Vijay, Additional DGMS(Army) at AHQ and Commandant CH (EC) Calcutta. In recognition of his distinguished service he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

A team of Army doctors from 312 Field Ambulance of Desert Division provided medical assistance to remote villages and dhanis of Jaisalmer district for three days. A team of doctors visited Tibbansar, Siyamber, Mirwla, Ganeshia, Biahiachor, Roblayu, Fakirowala and Harnayu. They carried out medical check up of the villagers and provided medicines. More than 200 patients were given complete medical assistance and treatment.

The medical aid was part of ‘Arogya Rath Calender–2000' planned by Deputy Director, Medical Services of Desert Corps, Brig PR Sen. The medical team was headed by Lt Col SS Gupta and Maj ND Devraj of Army Medical Corps.

–Maj (Dr) AK Janardhanan 

from Jodhpur

A two-day seminar, "The Millennium Update" was conducted at Command Hospital, Central Command in Lucknow Cantonment recently. A gamut of accomplished faculty from diverse disciplines of medical and surgical specialisations participated in the seminar.

The update was held under the patronship of Lt Gen RK Sinha Commandant, AMC Centre and School and Maj Gen Rishi K Gupta, Commandant, Central Command Hospital.

Inaugurated by Lt Gen Sinha, the confernece also deliberated on the lessons learnt from the Kargil conflict casualties with an aim to disseminate the latest knowledge and state-of-the-art development in the field of medicine and surgery. A symposium on AIDS and trauma besides developments in the field of health care delivery system was also organised.

The Military Nursing Service (MNS) celebrated its platinum jubilee recently at the Military Hospital Complex, Secunderabad.

The function was held in full spirits and was attended by a galaxy of the defence dignitaries of the station under the leadership of Brig HC Sharma, Commandant and Lt Col P Krishnaveni, Principal Matron of Military Hospital, Secunderabad.

The Corps of MNS is headed by Maj Gen (Mrs) PK Sethi, Additional Director General of Military Nursing Service. Military Hospital, Secunderabad is posted with 56 Nursing Officers and managing 490-bed hospital at Trimulgherry, Secunderabad.

– K Asaiah
from Secunderabad

Lt Gen P S Joshi assumed the charge of the Central Army Commander at Headquarters Central Command, Lucknow Cantonment.

Before taking over the present appointment, Lt Gen Joshi inspected a guard of honour commanded by Capt Gulshan Khajuria. Later he visited Smritika, the War Memorial and laid a wreath in homage to the martyrs.

Lt Gen R M Chadha, the Chief of Staff, introduced Heads of Arms and Services at Central Command Headquarters to Lt Gen Joshi.

"We pledge to live upto your expectations" and "we will serve you" were the sentiments expressed by NCC cadets at the Vidhan Soudha, Bangalore on the occasion of World Elders Day. Hundreds of smartly turned out cadets took pledge to look after the elders of the city in the presence of Air Cmde M M Ali, Deputy Director General, NCC (Karnataka & Goa). The day was also marked by an "Awareness Run" by prominent citizens including cine personalities to express solidarity with the elders. Air Cmde Ali exhorted the cadets to help the elders in
every manner and follow their path to take the country towards greater progress and prosperity in this new millennium.

Elegantly dressed young cadets voluntarily controlled road traffic on this occasion in a disciplined and responsible manner. The elders were impressed by this enthusiastic response and blessed the NCC cadets.

The then Minister of State for Defence Production and Supplies, Mr Harin Pathak flagged in an All-India NCC Girls’ Mountaineering Expedition to Ladakhi Peak in Western Himalayas. The Ladakhi Peak is situated at the height of 5,342 (Mts). Mr Pathak praised the team for their determination and dedication in scaling the peak.

The route to Ladakhi Peak was long and difficult. It took four days to reach the base camp. The peak required expertise in ice craft and rock craft. The team had to negotiate a number of crevasses also. The climb was highly difficult which required meticulous planning and excellent climbing skills.

The Red Eagle Inter Formation and Open Officers Squash Tournament was held at Allahabad recently. The Division troops team emerged as the winner in the Inter Formation Tournament while runners-up was Artillery Brigade team. The Division troops team was represented by Lt Col VD Dogra, Maj Ashish Khare and Capt Sanjay Ahlawat. Showing an excellent form, the Division team almost routed the Artillery Brigade. Lt Col VD Dogra defeated Lt Col R Chopra by 7-9, 9-1, 9-0. Capt Sanjay Ahlawat defeated Lt Mohit Singh by 9-1, 9-2, 9-0 and Maj Ashish Khare defeated Maj GP Singh of Artillery by 10-8, 9-2, 9-3.

In the Open Squash Championship (below 45 years) Capt SanjayAhlawat, displaying his splendid performance, emerged as the winner by defeating Maj GP Singh in straight games 9-1, 9-4, 9-0. In the veterans category, Lt Col Rajesh Kumar was the winner and Lt Col A Sikdar was the runner-up.

The Army Marathon Championship 2000-2001 was held under the aegis of Artillery Centre, Hyderabad recently. Brig AK Sakhuja, Commandant Artillery Centre flagged off the championship run at the Centre Stadium in which 35 runners from various Army Regiments and Corps participated.

Hav HA Chinnappa of Madras Regiment and Hav Mahesh Singh of Kumaon Regiment stood first and second respectively. The overall championship was bagged by Madras Regimental Centre.

The chief guest, Brig AK Sakhuja gave away the individual prizes at a ceremony held in the backdrop of the Golconda Fort.

A Battalion of the Fifth Gorkha (Frontier Force) celebrated its diamond jubilee somewhere in the Western Sector. Numerous functions were organised to mark the occasion. A galaxy of serving and retired officers of the unit arrived for this unique occasion. The VIPs included the Governor of Assam Lt Gen (Retd) SK Sinha, Maj Gen Richard Khare, Colonel of the Regiment, Maj Gen K Sudhakar and Brig AK Bhanot.

As part of the celebrations, a guard of honour was given to Lt Gen SK Sinha and it was followed by an impressive wreath-laying ceremony to remember those who laid down their lives for the country.