Maj Gen Uma Prasanna Mukherjee (Retd), a veteran of the World War II, presented the Japanese sword gifted to him by Col R Tokunoo to Lt Gen SP Kalra, Commandant, AMC Centre and School in Lucknow cantonment.

The sword has a rich history. It was forged by a very famous artisan, Masahiro, about 350 years ago. It is considered as a rare object of art in Japan.

During World War II after the surrender of Japanese contingent in the island of Sumatra before British Army, Maj Gen Uma Prasanna Mukherjee (then Lt Col) was the senior-most officer commanding 46 Field Ambulance. He was incharge of the treatment of the sick and wounded soldiers. In appreciation of his services to sick Japanese soldiers, Col R Tokunoo presented this sword.

Maj Gen Mukherjee (Retd), who is 90 years old, presented this sword to the AMC Centre and School, which he served twice in 1947 and 1961. He had a distinguished career in the Army Medical Corps for 30 years before he retired in 1976. Now he is settled in Sydney (Australia) along with his children.

- Maj Dhirendra Ojha

from Lucknow

Lt Gen Jitendra Singh Verma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, Kolkata visited Nagaland and Manipur.

The Lieutenant General accompanied by Lt Gen Rajinder Singh, General Officer Commanding, 3 Corps arrived at Zakhama helipad from Tuensang where he was received by Maj Gen DP Merchant, Inspector General, Assam Rifles (North) who briefed on the prevailing situation in Nagaland. At Kohima, the Army Commander was received by Brig NC Marwah, Commander, 5 Sector, Assam Rifles. He also met Mr Shyamal Dutta, Governor of Nagaland.

The Army Commander and Maj Gen Mandhata Singh, GOC, 57 Mountain Division visited Samsai, Imphal and Leimakhong. The Lieutenant General was briefed by Brig V Suresh Nair, Commander, 10 Sector at Samsai, Brig EJ Kochekkan, Commander, 9 Sector at Imphal and Brig VK Batura, Commander, 59 Mountain Brigade at Leimakhong on security situation in the areas. The Lieutenant General also met Mr Ved Marwah, Governor of Manipur.

- Maj SD Goswami

from Imphal

The ‘Oil Conservation Fortnight’ for Army was organised by Rail Head Petroleum Depot (ASC) with the help of ioc, BPC and PCRA. The event was inaugurated by Mrs Sharda Sharma, President AWWA. The housewives of all ranks were given the tips on LPG safety and fuel conservation by the experts from Indane, IOC and PCRA. There were separate participations by drivers and cooks who were given the guidelines for saving of fuel and LPG safety.

The schoolchildren actively participated in a drawing competition organised to mark the occasion. In the end, officials of IOC thanked the Commandant, Rail Head Petroleum Depot (ASC) for organising the event and hoped that such activities in Armed Forces would certainly produce dividends if given a due thought.

- Lt Col Bhanwar Rathore

from Jammu

Nintyfour Field Regiment (Charwa) deployed in Assam for counter-insurgency operations organised pre-recruitment training to young men who have an aptitude for joining the Armed Forces. The training aimed at developing skills required to pass the gruelling tests at the recruitment rally. The training, held for fourteen days, encompassed physical training, coaching for written test including practice tests, preliminary medical examination and briefing on various qualification and documents required for the recruitment rally. Commanding Officer, Lt Col RK Nair supervised the training programme alongwith officers, JCOs and jawans of the regiment.

input : Lt Parag Kabat

More than 50 cases of cataract were successfully operated free of cost at an eye camp organised jointly at the Cantonment General Hospital by AFMC and Lions Club of Pune, Dattawadi. The camp, which was inaugurated by Air Vice Marshal KS Soodan, Dean and Deputy Commandant, AFMC had the best of available diagnostic and surgical techniques. The team of doctors led by Col RP Gupta, Lt Col AP Kamath, Lt Col FEA Rodrigues, Lt Col Ahluwalia and Lt Col JKS Parihar performed surgeries at the camp.

Later, a free drug distribution and postoperative checkup of patients were also arranged. Speaking on the occasion, Air Vice Marshal Soodan stressed upon the role of NGOs in fighting against blindness. Mrs Shalaka Marathe, President, Lions Club, Pune- Dattawadi proposed a vote of thanks.

- VK Abdulla

from Pune

Thirtytwo Assam Rifles organised two veterinary camps in Nagaland.

A medical team from 14 Military Field Veterinary Hospital helped in conducting the camps. About 600 animals were treated at Kiruphema and about 400 animals at Khonoma by the medical team. Apart from that, the local public was also briefed on various aspects of animal husbandry, hygiene and health-care.

- Maj MK Pal

Capt Rajeev Kumar Bahuguna of 2 Rashtriya Rifles (Sikh Light Infantry) received Sena Medal from Lt Gen GS Sihota, GOC-in-C, Southern Command at an investiture ceremony held in Bangalore. Though grievously injured while engaging the terrorists at Badgaon in Kashmir, Capt Bahuguna killed three terrorists in a daring action. At present, Capt Bahuguna is with the Station Headquarters, Kirkee, Pune.

- VK Abdulla

from Pune

A meeting of the United Headquarters was held at Nagrota under the chairmanship of Lt Gen TPS Brar. The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary (Home), Mr SD Singh, Director General Police, Mr AK Suri, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mr Anil Goswami and officials from the departments of police, intelligence, BSF, CRPF and Army. The current security situation prevalent in the Jammu region was reviewed and steps required for further improvement in the situation were discussed.

- Lt Col Bhanwar Rathore

from Jammu

A blood donation camp was inaugurated at the Station Medicare Centre at Headquarters Maintenance Command IAF, Vayu Sena Nagar, Nagpur by the President, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) (Regional), Mrs Kanak Nigam. Sponsored by the Rainbow Medinova Diagnostic Centre, the camp was held under the aegis of AFWWA. A large number of officers, airmen, civilian employees and family members thronged eagerly at the camp.

Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Medical Officer HQMC, Air Commodore RN Diwan highlighted the importance of blood banks. Dr Bhagwat of Medinova thanked the Air Force authorities for arranging the camp.

- Wg Cdr SN Mukerjee

from Nagpur

As part of operation Samaritan, 13 Rajputana Rifles of Chindits Brigade under Red Horn Division undertook the construction and renovation of a primary school at village Kalajhar of Darrang district in Assam. Located in the interior and just two kilometres from the International Border, the population largely comprises Bodos and Nepalese who have negligible educational facilities. The only primary school was in dilapidated condition. Driven by the concern for education of the children in the area, the Army decided to construct and renovate the Primary School building by involving the locals in the project.

The project was completed in a record time of two months due to joint efforts of the Army and the civil population at a cost of Rs 1.1 lakh. The school building was dedicated to the children of Kalajhar by Brig JS Mann, Commander, Chindits Brigade.

The Army also took up the responsibility of equipping the school with a reading room and furniture items like tables, chairs, book racks and almirahs.

input : Lt Col YK Arora

Martyrs were remembered at a solemn wreath-laying ceremony held on the 9th Raising Day celebrations of the Corps of Air Defence Artillery (ADA) in Lucknow Cantonment.

Maj Gen AK Mehra, MG IC Administration, Headquarters Central Command, was the first to lay a wreath followed by Brig NK Tandon (Retd) and Sub P Ravindran. Last post was sounded and a two-minute silence was observed for the peace of the departed souls.

A get-together at Surya Officers' Mess, badakhana and tea at HQ Central Command marked the occasion. Messages of greeting received from dignitaries were also read out to troops.

The Corps of Air Defence Artillery (ADA) has ever been actively involved in defending the country against low and medium altitude air threat from across the frontiers. Air Defence Artillery units and personnel deputed with Rashtriya Rifles and field formations have also displayed utmost dedication and courage in counter- insurgency tasks allotted to them.

- Maj Dhirendra Ojha

from Lucknow

The ASC fraternity of HQ 101 Area celebrated the 242nd anniversary of the Army Service Corps.

The Army Service Corps provides the fighting forces with wherewithal required for conduct of war be it ration, fuel or ammunition. It supplies all that the services need, by land, air or sea and finally deliver to the frontline soldiers.

The celebrations were spread over two days to include pagal gymkhana, badakhana for troops and families and a function at Officers' Mess of HQ 101 Area.

- Wg Cdr TK Singha

from Shillong

The Department of Pathology, Command Hospital organised a day-long symposium on "Living with HIV and AIDS", in Lucknow Cantonment.

Maj Gen AK Bakhshi, Commandant of the Command Hospital and chief guest on the occasion inaugurated the symposium by lighting the lamp. In his address, Maj Gen Bakhshi said that HIV and AIDS have become major concern in the country. Millions of people are already infected and many more are at the risk of contacting the infection.

Maj Gen Bakshi said that it is a challenge for the doctors to treat the patients of AIDS. Besides medical challenge, HIV and AIDS have sociological and economic implications also. Preparing doctors and general public to prevent HIV infection and to manage the cases of HIV and AIDS is the need of the hour, he stressed.

Earlier, welcoming 200 participants who included Army as well as civil doctors, Col AK Malaviya, the Senior Advisor (Pathology) of the Command Hospital expressed the hope that they would benefit from the symposium. Col Malaviya also delivered a lecture on ‘Laboratory Diagnosis of HIV and AIDS’.

Experts who participated in the symposium deliberated upon the methods to prevent spread of HIV through blood. The symposium also discussed the latest advances in drugs and vaccines to prevent and treat HIV infection.

- PIB (DW)

The Central Army Commander's Cup Race was conducted recently at the Lucknow Race Course.

S Irfan of New Delhi, astride Golden Finish, won the prestigious Army Commander’s Cup. Sahara Queen emerged the runners-up.

Lt Gen DS Chauhan, GOC-in-C, Central Command, the chief guest on the occasion, presented the coveted Cup to Wg Cdr AN Rai (Retd), the owner of the winner horse.

- PIB (DW)

Army Cluster 1 Basketball Championship was held at Army Headquarters Signals Regiment Courts on leage-cum-knock basis. Altogether, ten teams took part in the Cluster I Championship. Col Vikram Tiwathia, Chairman of the organising committee declared the championship open.

In a keenly contested final, MEG Bangalore defeated Signals 70-43. Army Ordnance Corps secured the third position defeating Artillery 68-31. Lt Gen D P Sehgal, Signal Officer-in-Chief gave away the prizes to the winners. The aim of this championship is to promote basketball in the Army.

- Lt Col BMR Mehta

from New Delhi

The annual day of Army School, Shillong was celebrated at the Army Cantonment, Shillong. Brig TS Gill, DDST and Chairman of the School Managing Committee was the chief guest. The programmes included a fancy dress, puppet show, skit, group songs and dances performed by the students of the school.

Addressing the parents and students, Brig Gill lauded the performance of the students and their outstanding achievements. He gave away prizes to the students who won the inter-house competitions. Mrs Gill distributed prizes to the students who excelled in the academic performances. Earlier, the Principal of the school, Mr CO Koshy presented the annual report of the school.

- Wg Cdr TK Singha

from Shillong

As a part of Navy Week celebrations, Vice Admiral Raman Puri, FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command hosted receptions in Chennai and Pondicherry. Mr PS Ramamohan Rao, the Governor Tamil Nadu was the chief guest at Chennai reception, which was attended by local senior service officers. At Pondicherry, the chief guest was Mr KR Malkani, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory.

The Eastern Naval Command Band conducted concerts at these places. The band played music which ranged from western classical, light popular, Indian to jazz. Tunes like 'Fanfare and Soliloquy', 'Beautiful Danube', 'Bravura for Brass', 'Trombone Talk', 'Fantasia for Percussion', and 'Song of the High Seas' were played in addition to evergreen melodies like 'Vaishnava Janato' and 'Jai Jai Bharati'. Commander PG George directed the concerts.

- V Sankaran

from Chennai

More than 200 boys and girls from 10 Cantonment Boards Schools participated in a cultural meet held at Alpa Bachat Bhawan, Pune. The two-day cultural extravaganza which was inaugurated by GOC-in-C, Southern Command, Lt Gen GS Sihota was lauded by one and all.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Sihota said, "The future of India looks bright in the hands of enthusiastic kids". He also presented to all participating schools a copy of the book ‘Ignited Minds’ written by President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Dressed in their finery with bright smiles on their faces, students performed with a lot of enthusiasm. The children took part in competitions in group dance, solo dance, group song, solo song, declamation and mono-acting. Later, the students were also taken on a visit to National Defence Academy, Pune.

- VK Abdulla

from Pune

Lt Gen VK Dhir has taken over as new Director General of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers.

Having joined National Defence Academy in January 1962 and commissioned on December 25, 1965, he was awarded DGEME's Gold Medal at the 25th Defence Engineering Course and Marconi Elliot prize for standing first in M Tech course at Cranfield Institute of Technology, UK.

The General Officer has held various regimental and command assignments in Eastern and Northern sectors. As Commandant, 509 Army Base Workshop, he encouraged professionalism and innovation. He has held staff/instructional appointments at DSSC, NDC, MCEME and Army HQ. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers and Fellow of Indian Management Association (FIMA). He was appointed as the Colonel Commandant of the Corps in August 2002.

Air Cmde AR Nigam took over as the Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Jodhpur at an impressive parade attended by all officers and airmen.

Air Cmde Nigam is a highly qualified and distinguished fighter pilot of IAF. He has commanded two frontline squadrons. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Dhaka. He assumed the command of the prestigious Air Force base at Jodhpur after completion of a course at National Defence College.

- Maj Xavier M Thomas

from Jodhpur

Capt Sanjeev Ghei took over as Commanding Officer, INS Rajali, Arakonnam at an impressive ceremonial parade.

Capt Ghei is a TU 142M aircraft pilot with over 3000 hours of flying experience. He was part of the commissioning crew of TU 142M squadron. He has commanded naval war vessel, INS Sujatha, and a seaward defence boat. He is one of the few officers who have done a staff course in UK. The outgoing Commanding Officer, Capt MR Ajay Kumar has been appointed Naval Officer-in-Charge, Andhra Pradesh at Visakhapatnam.

- V Sankaran

from Chennai

Air Marshal AK Trikha took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Air Command.

Air Marshal AK Trikha was commanding the National Defence Academy prior to the new assignment. He is an alumnus of 24th NDA Course and was commissioned in April 1964 in the Indian Air Force. He has held a number of command and staff appointments. He was Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Ambala. He was Flying Instructor abroad, Air Advisor in the High Commission of India, London and, later, Commandant of College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad. Prior to his posting to NDA, he was Air Defence Commander in South Western Air Command, Gandhinagar. For his distinguished service of high order, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1991 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1995. During 1971 Indo-Pak war, he undertook several operational missions in western sector and was mentioned in dispatches for conspicuous bravery.

- P Rajendran