Fifty Light Air Defence Regiment popularly known as Roaring Fifty celebrated its 40th raising day somewhere in the western sector. The unit has served with distinction in all major operations since raising, including operations at high altitude and counter-insurgency areas.

Speaking at the special sainik sammelan, Col PS Jaggi, Commanding Officer, lauded the unit for its stellar performance in operation Parakram and exhorted all ranks to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation. A variety of activities, competitions were organised to mark the occasion. The celebrations culminated with a splendid cultural programme presented during the regimental barakhana. Later, Mrs Jasminder Kaur Jaggi felicitated the participants of the cultural programme. Trophies were presented to all those who excelled in their duties.

input: Capt Ajay Nautiyal

Recently, the central and southern part of Sri Lanka were hit by severe floods. The Government of India, in keeping with its friendly relations with neighbouring states, responded swiftly to the request of the Sri Lankan Government to provide humanitarian assistance. The Army, Navy and Air Force swung into action to provide the necessary relief.

The request was received on May 18 last and the Indian naval ship Sharda set for Galle in Sri Lanka on the same night. The Army and Air Force also mobilised their resources and were air borne by forenoon of 20th. In one of the first major integrated relief operations, the country displayed its ability to respond swiftly to carryout relief operations on foreign soil. The Armed Forces established relief camps and provided medical assistance to control any major epidemics like dengue, malaria and typhoid in the affected districts. It also provided succour to the people devastated by the floods.

Many primary schools are set up all over the country under the government’s Rajiv Gandhi Swarn Jayanti Pathshala scheme. One such school is located in the remote village of Indas in Nagaur district of Rajasthan. The school caters to the children of dhanis around the area. Due to paucity of funds, it lacked basic amenities and educational infrastructure for an all-round development of the children.

The 323 Air Defence Regiment was deployed in Rajasthan sector during operation Parakram. The unit decided to adopt the school under operation Sadbhavana. It took a series of steps to provide amenities to the school.

Firstly, the unit renovated the school building by carrying out repair works, white washing etc. Later, it provided black boards and other stationary items. To encourage children in sports and games, it has developed a small playground and provided necessary sports infrastructure.

The unit gifted one Pentium-II computer to the school, making it first in Rajasthan among the number of Rajiv Gandhi Pathashalas to have a computer. It also provided computer instructors for training of the students and the staff on its usage. In addition, 323 AD Regiment carried out large-scale afforestation drive on the wasteland around the school, with the participation of the villagers.

Young officers, JCOs and unit education NCO volunteered to take classes on various aspects of national integration and development to imbibe correct values in the young impressionable minds.

The efforts put in by 323 AD Regiment for the development of the school under operation Sadbhavana in spite of its operational commitment were lauded by all villagers and the civil administration. The unit’s efforts on this front were hailed by the local media.