Minister of State for Defence, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta visited Headquarters 16 Corps. He was briefed on the prevailing situation by the Chief of Staff, Maj Gen PK Grover. The minister expressed his satisfaction over the state of preparedness and appreciated the high morale of the troops.

The minister also visited District Hospital, Rajouri to meet the persons who were assaulted and injured by militants in Panihad village, in March.

Air Marshal BM Bali, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, visited Air Force Station, Memaura. Air Marshal Bali visited powerhouse, radar head, airmen’s billets and Air Defence College. He had tea with airmen and civilians at the station. He also joined officers and airmen at the barakhana at Airmen’s Mess and witnessed a basketball match.

Earlier, Air Marshal Bali was presented a guard-of-honour. Gp Capt GS Rathore, the Station Commander gave a presentation on the occasion. Before concluding his visit, Air Marshal Bali inspected Operation Room activities too. Meanwhile, Mrs Brinda Bali, President AFWWA (Regional), interacted with ladies of the station.

Air Vice Marshal Fakhrul Azam, Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force accompanied by his spouse Begum Dilruba Azam visited Air Force Station, Jodhpur. On arrival, the couple was received by Air Cmde AR Nigam, Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station, and Mrs Ruth Nigam President AFWWA (local). Later, the Bangladesh Air Force Chief called on Air Marshal SP Tyagi, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Air Command.

The new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command, Air Marshal AK Trikha called on the Chief Minister of Kerala Mr AK Antony at the Chief Minister’s office.

During the meeting, they discussed various matters concerning the state government’s assistance for Air Force establishments in the state. The Air Marshal offered co-operation in the Clean Kerala campaign of the state government.

Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Minister of State for Defence visited the premier Indian Naval Air Station INS Rajali. The minister was conducted around the station by Commanding Officer, Capt Sanjeev Ghei.

The minister was extremely impressed with the operational readiness of the premier station and also appreciated the contribution the Naval community has made to transform Arakkonam into a green belt. The minister also planted a sapling on the occasion.

Prof Gupta inspected the largest turbo prop aircraft TU-142 at INS Rajali.

Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) Centre for treatment of infertile couples of Armed Forces was inaugurated by Lt Gen BN Shahi, DGAFMS at Army Hospital (Research and Referral) in Delhi Cantonment.

This state-of-the-art centre provides all the latest treatment modalities like in- vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), micromanipulation including intra-cycoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching by laser, embryo biopsy, computer assisted semen analysis (CASA), semen and embryo baking.

The aim of the centre is to provide scientific counselling with transparency, compassion to patients during infertility management.

In his message Lt Gen DS Chauhan, GOC-in-C, said that the prevailing situation in the country places onerous responsibility on the Corps. Acknowledging that the DSC personnel have shown commendable dedication, alertness and sincerity in performance of their duties, Lt Gen Chauhan expressed the confidence that they would continue to vindicate the trust and faith reposed in them.

Lt Gen RS Nagra, Director General Artillery visited 94 Field Regiment. He was received by Lt Col RK Nair, the Commanding Officer. Lt Gen Nagra was briefed on the unit’s responsibilities, achievements and preparedness for counter-insurgency operations and operation Falcon.

Later, the DG addressed a special sainik sammelan and complimented the troops for their professional competence and commendable achievements. He also complimented the troops for their commitment in improving civil-military relations. He also highlighted various modernisation programmes undertaken at the regiment.

"The socio-economic impact of accidents is tremendous and the economic loss due to accidents can never be overemphasised. Even then our attitude towards trauma care management leaves much to be desired. Even a country like Malaysia which is sharing the same GDP with India has more number of trauma management centers than us", said the Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Lt Gen VD Tiwari while inaugurating the two- day Ortho Update—2003. The Update was organised by the Military Hospital, Kirkee on the ‘Newer trends in Arthoplasty and Trauma Care’.

Stressing the need for better trauma care, Lt Gen Tiwari suggested that trauma care and defence medicine should be made an integral part of the medical curriculum. He urged the participants from various parts of the country to disseminate the knowledge derived from the Update. He also released a souvenir.

A CD on "Management of Spinal Cord Injuries", brought out by the Department of Orthopaedics, Military Hospital, Kirkee was released by Maj Gen DP Asthana, Deputy Director, Medical Services, Southern Command to mark the occasion.

About 400 inhabitants of Chepala Uppada village near Visakhapatnam were benefited at a free medical camp conducted by the Naval establishment, INS Kalinga. The camp was inaugurated by Cmde A Purakayastha, the Commanding Officer, INS Kalinga. Mr Kondababu, the sarpanch of the village, the panchayat staff and Naval personnel of INS Kalinga were present on the occasion.

A seven-member medical team under the leadership of Surgeon Lt Cdr Rashmi Pyasi, the Principal Medical Officer of INS Kalinga, examined the villagers of all age groups, predominantly from the fishing community and gave them medical advices. Medicines were distributed free of cost. An exhibition of posters on prevention of HIV, oral cancer and other diseases also marked the occasion.

A vocational training centre has been established at Binnaguri Cantonment. The training centre was inaugurated by Mrs Nandini Bapat, President AWWA, 20 Mountain Division.

The vocational centre imparts training in low investment self- employment projects. The aim of the vocational centre is to train soon-to-be retiring defence service personnel to gain confidence in running small-scale enterprises for self-employment.

A computer training cell has also been established to offer computer coaching to children of JCOs/ORs in the cantonment.

A two-day Army medical camp for Sandhi, Dhoon, Lakhtar, Pejoil, Madana Ketwal, and Gair village of Purmandal Block in Jammu was organised. While inaugurating the camp, the local Garrison Commander highlighted various actions taken by the Army alongside the civil administration with the sole aim of creating a conducive environment for growth and prosperity.

An ex-servicemen rally was organised at Dhrangadhra military station. The rally aimed at a speedy redressal of problems faced by ex-servicemen. The rally drew warm response and was well attended by ex-servicemen and civilian authorities. Distribution of Defence Minister Discretionary Quota and education grants of about Rs 4.5 lakh by Zila Sainik Board, barakhana, medical camp and CSD facilities were highlights of the rally. Problems of ex-servicemen were brought to the notice to be sorted out.

An ex-Servicemen Helpline Office was inaugurated by Local Garrison Commander at Military Hospital, Jammu in the presence of a large number of ex-servicemen and military personnel. The Helpline Office provides information on benefits/entitlements, emergency, recruitment, pension/AGIF claims and ambulance services from Red Cross or other charitable institutions. The office can be contacted on civil telephone number 0191-2451059.

The mortal remains of Capt Vinay R Sachan were consigned to flames at the Dombivali (East) crematorium with full military honours. Capt Sachan was killed in a counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Capt Sachan, a resident of Dombivali (East) was commissioned into 5 Maratha LI in 1999. He is survived by his father, mother and a younger sister.

Brig KL Singh, Chief Signal Officer Maharashtra and Gujarat Area, Col HS Kundu and Lt Col Balvan Singh of Mumbai Sub Area, Col DS Parab of Station Headquarters, Mumbai and a number of other senior military officers, JCOs and jawans paid their last respect to the departed soul.

A newly constructed Army Transit Camp complex was inaugurated by the Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator, Lt Gen (Retd) JFR Jacob in Chandigarh.

After the inauguration, the Governor went around the Transit Camp complex and inspected the accommodation and other facilities provided for the troops. He also had an informal interaction with soldiers. Brigadier Administration, 14 Corps, Brig IJ Singh and Commander ‘N’ Area, Col Sanjeev Sood were also present on the occasion.

The transit camp caters to the needs of the Army personnel proceeding to and from the difficult areas of Leh, Kargil, Siachen and Kashmir. It has a special provision of separate accommodation for personnel travelling with their families.

The transit camp is equipped with all modern facilities for the troops like solar water heaters, steam cooking, video projection system, satellite music, multi-gym and STD booths. Other facilities include bedding, transport to and from the local bus stand and railway station and Ambala Cantt railway station, laundry, cable TV, newspapers and magazines and standby electric supply.

A Fertility Clinic has been opened at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Command Hospital, Central Command, in Lucknow Cantonment.

Set up with the help of funds from Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), the Fertility Clinic was inaugurated by Mrs Meera Chauhan, President Central Command AWWA.

Addressing the delegates invited on the occasion, Col T Ravi Prasad, Senior Advisor (obstetrics and gynaecology), highlighted the special problems faced by infertile couples in the Armed Forces as they have to endure long periods
of separation. The clinic now offers facilities like operative laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, semen processing and intra-uterine insemination, he mentioned.

Lt Col Sandeep Sharma, a classified specialist (obstetrics and gynaecology) explained to the invitees various aspects of infertility management to be carried out at the Fertility Centre. To help patients, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology would conduct a special clinic once a week. However, facilities like follicular monitoring and intra-uterine insemination would be offered daily, Lt Col Sharma added.

Lt Gen HS Kanwar, Director General Assam Rifles (DGAR), came on a four- day maiden visit to Nagaland. During his visit, the DG AR visited Assam Rifles Training Centre and School at Dimapur. He was briefed on the training infrastructure.

Lt Gen Kanwar visited Kohima and was conducted by Maj Gen DP Merchant, IG AR (North). The DG met the Governor of Nagaland,
Mr Shyamal Dutta and the Chief Minister, Mr Nephieu Rio. He later went to a company outpost at Zubza and interacted with the troops.

During his visit to Kohima, the DG AR, was briefed by Brig NC Marwah, DIG, Nagaland Range (South). He also had one-hour long discussion with Lt Gen (Retd) RV Kulkarni, Chairman Cease fire Monitoring Group on the existing security situation in Nagaland and the ceasefire mechanism.

Later, the DG AR visited Assam Rifles battalions at Mokokchung and Tuensang where he interacted with tribal leaders and civil dignitaries.

A special loan scheme for Defence personnel was launched at Pune by Col Om Pawar, Administrative Commandant, Pune Sub Area. Under the scheme, more than sixty beneficiaries were given loans of different amounts on easy terms.

Syndicate Bank and Armed Forces enjoy a special relationship spanning decades. On the occasion of its Platinum Jubilee, the bank launched an exclusive loan scheme for the Defence personnel.

Under this scheme any member of defence forces or para-military forces can avail a loan to meet personal requirements. The loan amount will not exceed 12 months gross salary for which a 14% interest will be charged per annum. The amount should be repaid in sixty equated monthly instalments.

Brig James Cameron of the Royal Medical Services, a consultant physician for South East Asia Command, started Medical Congress in 1942. He conceived the idea of a common forum for civil and Armed Forces medical professionals and along with Dr Rustom Jal Vakil of Sir JJ Hospital & Grant Medical College organised the first meeting.

The 59th Medical Congress was presided by Dr (Mrs) CM Nariani,
a prominent gynaecologist.
Dr DK Saksena cardiologist and Surg Rear Adm P Shivdas were also present on the occasion.