Chief of the Army Staff, Gen NC Vij, visited Sikkim. He was received at Sherathang by Maj Gen Deepak Anand, GOC Black Cat Division and Brig Ravi Pandalai. The Army Chief visited the Sino Indian border post of Nathu La, situated at an altitude of 14,500 ft. The Army Chief complimented jawans for braving the extreme climatic conditions and maintaining round-the-clock vigil along the borders. The Chief of the Army Staff was accompanied by the Corps Commander, Lt Gen Avtar Singh. The Corps Commander apprised him various welfare measures that have been initiated for the troops and the retired service personnel settled in Sikkim.

To bring security forces and local youths closer, 2 Assam Rifles, under the aegis of Headquarters Nagaland Range (South) organised a three-day youth camp in Kohima. The camp saw a participation of 130 students, both boys and girls, from four educational institutions located in Kohima.

During the camp, a weapon display was organised for the participants. The youth were also made given a feel of weapons by their use. In addition, talks were organised in the three wings of the Armed Forces and ways and means of getting on entry into them. The students were also briefed on the benefits of developing a positive outlook and on the virtues of the art of dreaming and converting dreams into realities.

Various talks on self-employment schemes and human resource development were delivered by Col Benz Jacob, Commandant, 2 Assam Rifles and Col RL Sharma from Headquarters Nagaland Range (South).

A batch of young students from Leimakhong, Khurkhul and Imphal completed a three-week computer course at the Army Computer Training Centre, Leimakhong.

The training centre was set up in January last by Brig VK Batura, Station Commander, Leimakhong Military Station to give a boost to computer literacy amongst the local public.

The computer training programme at this centre which is being run under the aegis of Rajput Battalion has been very popular with the local youth.

The certificates of merit were awarded by Col Kuldip Mehta, CO, 17 Rajput at a function organised at the Rajput Battalion. All those who were present on the occasion thanked the Army officials for their contribution to local development.

A team of officers led by Mr Thomas Zacharias of Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Science (DIPAS), Delhi conducted an anthropometric survey on the women of Manipur.

The female population in India has been more than 50 crores and women are now being recruited in military and para military forces.

The survey was conducted to develop an exhaustive data-base on Indian women across the country. It also aims at fixing, physical standards for entry into the Armed Forces, and also developing designs for work stations, equipment, uniforms etc. The survey was carried out at 65 Manipur Independant Girls Company (NCC) in Imphal. About 150 tribal women took part in the survey.

Maj Gen R Singh, GOC, battalions of 57 Mountain Division visited 15 and 21 Assam Rifles at Maram and Jawalamukhi. This was the GOC’s maiden visit after assuming the command of 57 Mountain Division. The Major General was accompanied by Col HP Singh, Officiating Commander, 59 Mountain Brigade. The General Officer was received by respective battalion commanders and was briefed on the security situation in their area of responsibility.

Maj Gen Singh also visited 4/4 Gorkha Rifles at Kotlen and Nonei and interacted with the local public. The General assured them that Army would put in best efforts to maintain peace and harmony in Manipur. He also visited the Headquarters of 59 Mountain Brigade at Leimakhong wherein he was briefed by the officiating Commander on the operational preparedness of the battalion.