Armed Forces
Panorama

Commemorating the 179th anniversary of the birth of the Regiment of Artillery and the raising of its first unit - The Bombay Battery - the Gunners Day was celebrated at Chandimandir. Both retired and serving officers and other ranks of the Regiment paid homage to the martyrs, which was followed by a Mandir function and a Sainik Sammelan held in the local unit. Recalling the outstanding contributions of the Regiment, Maj Gen Deepak Malhotra, Major General of Artillery, Western Command, addressed the officers and other ranks and exhorted them to strive to achieve even greater heights.

Maj Gen Deepak Malhotra interacting with the officers and other ranks

Kargil Brigade, which is one of the oldest brigades of the Indian Army, celebrated 50 years of its raising. It has a unique distinction of being the only brigade which has fought all wars with Pakistan starting from 1947 to 1999.

The harsh mountainous region of Kargil became lively and colourful for two days when Kargil Brigade celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The main programme commenced by paying homage to all the martyrs of this sector. Wreaths were laid by Lt General JK Mohanty, GOC 14 Corps and Major VS Tonk, GOC 8 Mountain Division. About one thousand troops, ex-Servicemen and widows attended the ceremony which was addressed by the Chief Guest. Ex-Servicemen and the war widows were also felicitated by the Chief Guest. Later, a First Day Cover and coffee table book were released by him. A barakhana was also organised for all attendees.

Lt Gen JK Mohanty at Kargil War Memorial

The 212 recruits of the Army Medical Corps (AMC), on completion of their training, were inducted as full-fledged soldiers at an impressive attestation parade organised at the AMC Centre and School in Lucknow Cantonment.

Major General M Srivastava, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor, AMC Centre and School reviewed the parade. The parade was commanded by Lt MK Yadav.

The recruits taking oath during Attestation parade

Air Marshal JS Gujral, AOC-in-C, Central Air Command, IAF recently came on a two-day visit to Air Force Station, Sonegaon. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Indu Gujarl, the President of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional), Allahabad. They were received by Air Commodore AK Malhotra, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Sonegaon.

Air Marshal JS Gujral being presented with the Guard of Honour

An ex-Servicemen Rally was organised by 15 Guards in the unit location in which all ex-Servicemen belonging to the surrounding areas were invited. Approximately 120 ex-Servicemen and a widow of a service personnel attended the function. Col Manoj Kumar, the Commanding Officer of the unit, addressed the gathering and thereafter, a number of points concerning the welfare of the ex-Servicemen were conveyed to them. These included measures and schemes instituted by the Government, Army and the unit. Grievances and problems of the ex-Servicemen were also attended to and necessary steps are being taken to assist them in resolving their problems.

A view of the rally

This year’s Dronacharya award recipients, Hony Capt (Retd) M Venu, and Subedar Ismail Baig were among the 37 MEG personnel who were felicitated by Lt Gen KS Rao, Director General of Border Roads and Colonel Commandant of the Madras Sappers at a function held at the Govindaswamy Drill Square of the Madras Engineer Group and Centre in Bangalore.

Lt Gen KS Rao with awardees

In a short-session of pure entertainment, games, joy rides and nutritious refreshments organised by the AWWA Asha School for all special children studying in various schools associated with educational and social rehabilitation of the differently abled, nearly 250 children had a day of fun and frolic at Vatika garden at Chandimandir.

The main objective of the programme was to enable interaction and intermingling of as many special children as possible so that they learn to communicate, share and play with each other.

Mrs Mohini Daljeet Singh with special children

A Pensioners’ Milap was organised at AMC Centre & School in Lucknow Cantonment for 158 veterans of the Army Medical Corps who are to proceed on retirement soon. The event was presided over by Maj Gen M Srivastava, Officiating Commandant, AMC Centre & School. The General enquired about the welfare, problems and difficulties of the pensioners who were entering civil life after a long inning in uniform.

In addition, the veterans were informed about their pension benefits, investments and new schemes such as Employees Contributory Health Scheme. Opportunities for their wards through UHQ quota enrollment and higher studies through institutions run by Army Welfare Education Society were also highlighted.

Maj Gen M Srivastava addressing the veterans of the Army Medical Corps at the Pensioners’ Milap

Under the aegis of the Army Adventure Cell, Headquarters Southern Command, the Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington undertook a Trekking Expedition comprising of 2 Officers, 2 Junior Commissioned Officers and 12 Other Ranks.

The Expedition was flagged off by Lt Gen AK Chopra, Commandant, National Defence Academy and Colonel of The Madras Regiment at Sri Nagesh Barracks of the MRC at Wellington.

Lt Gen AK Chopra flagging off the expedition

A Camp for Children was conducted at Golconda Garrison for a week under the arrangement of Artillery Centre, Hyderabad. The Camp was coordinated and conducted under the guidance of Colonel Keshab Rai, Commanding Officer, 1 Training Regiment, Artillery Centre, Hyderabad.

115 children, between 7 to 17 years participated in the camps. The children were given exposure in various extra curricular activities, arts and craft skills and outdoor activities. The children were taken for excursion to Salarjung Museum and Osman Sagar. The Camp was concluded with a camp fire and prize distribution by Mrs Roma Raina, President AWWA Artillery Centre, Hyderabad.

Rope climbing practice

A day long rally-cum-medical camp for all Army Veterans and their dependents of Barabanki district was organised at Barabanki. Providing of updated information about pensionary benefits and resettlement of veterans was also undertaken at the venue. On the occasion, veterans and their families came in large numbers to take advantage of the free medical services being provided by the medical officers at the medical camp. A number of specialists were also present on the occasion.

Mrs Kiran Nandrajog lighting the traditional lamp

A two day Meditation workshop was conducted at Air Force Station Jammu under the aegis of President AFWWA (L). More than 300 air warriors, their wives, 250 senior students and 30 teaching staff of Air Force School participated in the meditation workshop. The workshop was conducted by the spiritual teachers from Pyramid Spiritual Society of India, Hydrabad. A 15 minute meditation is introduced in AF School curriculum in order to improve concentration and memory power of school children.

A view of meditation workshop

The village Defence Committee (VCD) is one such legion of brave persons who have taken up arms to fight the terrorists and their atrocities. Sunjuwan Brigade, in an endeavour to train them and boost their morale, organised a firing practice cum competition at Sunjuwan Short Range. More than 100 members from 28 border villages of Arnia and Sai Kalan Police Stations participated in this event. This was an excellent opportunity for them to come forward and reinstate their faith. Brig RS Jamwal, Commander Sunjuwan Brigade congratulated the winners and exhorted them to keep up the good work. The VDC members solemnly pledged their resolve to fight the barbaric terrorists.

VDS members during firing practice

A team of 24 boy cadets from the five Military Schools across the country accompanied by five staff members successfully completed the 508 km bicyle expedition from Belgaum to Bangalore. Consisting of students from the Military Schools of Bangalore, Belgaum, Ajmer, Dholpur and Chail, the contingent was given a warm welcome by Lt Col Manohar, Principal of the Bangalore Military School.

Cadets of military schools after completing their cycle expedition

The 3 Gorkha Rifles team won the Sam Manekshaw Inter-Regiment Football Championship 2006. Overall the second and third position in the tournament were won by 8 GR and 11 GR respectively. In all seven Gorkha Regiments participated in this week long event. Brig SK Khajuria, Commander, Lucknow Sub Area giving away prizes to the winning teams.

Earlier known as “Judha Shamsher Championship,” named after the last king of the Rana Dynasty of Nepal, it started as a biennial event and was later renamed as “Sam Manekshaw Championship” in 2002.

Brig SK Khajuria presenting the trophy

An Inter-Battalion Football Championship was recently organised at Kamptee. Eight teams participated in the tournament. The Championship was played on league-cum-knock out basis and the teams were divided into two pools.

From Pool A, 6 Guards and 13 Guards and from Pool B, Guards Regimental Centre comprising the regimental ‘Junior Team’ and 7 Guards reached the semi-final. In the first semi-final, 6 Guards defeated 7 guards in closely fought encounter by 3-2 and in the second semi-finals 12 Guards beat GRC by 2-0 in a fast and nail-biting encounter.

Col KC Murty (extreme left) giving away the Cup

The annual feature Gondwana — Sangam Gold Cup 2006 was recently played between the teams of Headquarters Maintenance Command and Central Air Command.

The championship was won by HQ Maintenance Command, Vayusena Nagar. Air Marshal KS Chaturvedi Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command received the Cup from Air Marshal JS Gujal Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Central Air Command.

In the individual category, Wg Cdr SK Shukla took the Best Gross whereas Wg Cdr PN Nair won the Best Nett. Wg Cdr RZ Qureshi and Wg Cdr BN Kumar were the Runners up for Gross and Nett respectively. The Longest Drive went to Gp Capt M Dhanraj and Nearest to Pin was bagged by Air Vice Marshal JBS Boparai.

Air Marshal KS Chaturvedi, AOC-in-C Maintenance Command (left) receiving the Cup from Air Marshal JS Gujral, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command

A Volleyball match was held at Khaur under Operation Sadbhavana between Sunjuwan Brigade and Locals of Khaur. This electrifiying match drew a large crowd of more than 350 people from Khaur and the adjoining areas. The local team was quick in winning the first game which had the onlookers jumping out of their seats but the Sunjuwan Brigade team equalised by winning the second game. With a game each in their kitty, the third one was keenly contested by both the teams. In a nail-biting finish, Sunjuwan Brigade team finally won the match.

Volleyball teams with Brig RS Jamwal

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh took over as the Colonel of the Garhwal Rifles and Garhwal Scouts.

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, is presently Director General of Assam Rifles. He is a distinguished Infantry Officer with rich and varied career profile.

The General Officer was Commissioned into the 6 Garhwal Rifles in December 1968. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, has held various Regimental, Staff, Instructional and Command appointments in his long and illustrious career. He commanded 2 Garhwal Rifles, an Infantry Brigade in J&K on the Line of Control, 12 Rapid and ATNK&K Area. He was Chief of Staff, HQ Western Command before assuming his present appointment.