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 The Shooting Star |
 Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash with Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands, Prof Ram Kapse and Lt Gen Aditya Singh, C-in-C, Andaman & Nicobar Comand on the inaugural day of a seminar on 'Vision 2020 for A & N Islands' |
 Mr Sitanshu Kar, Additional Principal Information Officer, Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence with the participants of Defence Correspondence Course - 2005 at NDA, Pune |
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Initially published as FAUJI AKHBAR |
The journal of India's Armed Forces published every fortnight on behalf ofa Ministry of Defence. It is not necessarily an organ for the expression of the Government's defence policy. The published items represent the views of respective writers and correspondents. |
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D Suba Chandran
In July this year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Washington and the outcome was a nuclear understanding reached between India and the US. The most salient feature of the understanding has been “developing India's civilian nuclear energy programme”. Some questions which immediately emerge: what are the other main issues relating to the nuclear understanding? What were the reasons and objectives behind the Bush administrations' efforts? Would this satisfy India's demands on nuclear issues? It will be interesting to discuss these questions. |
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India's demands on nuclear issues primarily focussed on two aspects : first, acknowledging India as a Nuclear Weapons State (NWS) along with other five recognised nuclear powers. Though many would consider that the nuclear status is not for others to confer on us, as it is known India is a state with nuclear weapons. Second, to allow India to access the nuclear technology, especially for civilian purposes. Though India could never become a party to the NPT, New Delhi informally expected that at least the US would recognise it as a NWS publicly and provide access to nuclear technology for civilian purposes. India also expected that the US would not object, if any other state willingly provides nuclear energy for civilian purposes to her.
While the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) has made India and the US come together, not many expected that the US would accommodate India's nuclear interests even partially. Appreciating India's commitment to the prevention of WMD proliferation, the US would like India to “acquire the same benefits and advantages as other such states” as a “responsible state with advance nuclear technology”. The Manmohan-Bush joint statement also pointed out George Bush's willingness to cooperate with India to “achieve full civil nuclear energy”, besides seeking an agreement from the US Congress “to adjust US laws and policies” and also working with “friends and allies to adjust international regimes to enable civil nuclear energy cooperation and trade with India, including but not limited to expeditious consideration of fuel supplies for safeguarded nuclear reactors at Tarapur.”
The joint statement has underlined two important aspects. First, India is not recognised as a nuclear weapons state, but a “responsible state with advance nuclear technology”. Given the pressure from anti-proliferation groups, it would have been extremely difficult for the Bush administration to overtly admit India as a NWS. Already there has been murmuring inside the non-proliferation lobby on the negative impact of Indo-US understanding on global nuclear regime. Second, the joint statement also considers the US cooperating with India on nuclear energy besides requesting other nuclear states which are part of multilateral nuclear regimes to work with India. Why should the US administration take these crucial steps now? Why, of all the administrations, Bush's?
Three reasons could be attributed to the Bush administration's change of heart. First, the importance of India as a vital state in Asian political power structure has been realised. It is the biggest functioning democracy whose economy is growing and expanding at a rapid pace with a stable polity and strong military. India is the most stable power in the region and also secular; hence assumes significance in any future strategic calculations of the US in terms of a stable Asia. Engaging India has been a primary foreign policy objective of the US in Asia over the last one decade. Had it not been for India's nuclear tests and 9/11, the strategic rapprochement could have happened earlier.
Second, the US is apprehensive of the proposed gas pipelines and the import of gas from Iran through Pakistan. Given the energy requirements, for its growing industrial needs and to fulfill its economic dreams, the greatest threat to India comes from energy security. The US is aware of India-Iran pipeline initiatives and has conveyed its reservations. Unless India has a viable alternative to meet its energy requirements, India cannot give up this important option from Iran. The Indo-US nuclear deal, perhaps, is an American attempt to reduce or minimise India's reliance on Iran to meet its energy requirements. Third, a section sees the deal as a part of the US efforts to check China's growing influence in Asia and elsewhere. Over the last decade, China's political and economic influence has grown tremendously, both inside and outside Asia.
What are the implications of the deal, especially for India? As a part of accepting external assistance for its nuclear programme, India has agreed to the responsibilities of other NWS which include “identifying and separating civilian and military nuclear facilities and programmes in a phased manner and filing a declaration regarding its civilian facilities with the IAEA”. More importantly, India would place “voluntarily its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards signing and adhering to an Additional Protocol... continuing India's unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing; working closely with the United States for the conclusion of a multilateral Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty.”
Are the above provisions in India's nuclear interests? Would it strengthen or weaken India's nuclear security? Would they cap India's nuclear objectives and ambitions? First, the separation of civilian and military nuclear facilities—is it feasible and advisable? India, especially from 1970, has ben using its nuclear facilities for both civilian and military objectives. To a large extent, even at the global level there are no exclusive civilian and military nuclear facilities; an element of overlapping cannot be avoided. The understanding does not envision all the nuclear facilities being brought under the control of the IAEA. However, such a strict differentiation is likely to increase the cost. Besides, the crucial question that needs to be addressed is whether such differentiation, ultimately leading to increasing the cost, would directly or indirectly cap India's nuclear weapons programme. Only the Atomic Energy Commission of India would be able to provide an answer to this question.
Much would also depend on India's strategic requirements in terms of its nuclear assets. What are India's requirements that would enable India to have a robust minimum nuclear deterrence? If the government is confident about the available fissile materials in terms of meeting the nuclear deterrence, then there is not much to worry about the nuclear understanding with the US “capping” India's nuclear weapons programme.
Besides the limitations on India's strategic requirements, there are other concerns relating to India's immediate and long term security and political relations, especially in the region. First, what would be the implications of this deal on India-Iran gas pipeline? Second, what would be the implications on Indo-Pak relations, if the Indo-Iran gas pipelines fail to materialise. Pakistan has been banking heavily on the pipeline for its own economic benefits. It is one of the rare projects that Pakistan was willing to work with India irrespective of any progress on Kashmir. If the pipeline negotiations crumble it would certainly have a negative impact on the delicate Indo-Pak peace process. Already, as could be seen from the media reports, Pakistan is unhappy over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Third, what if Washington fails to fulfill its promises both domestically and internationally? No doubt, George Bush has the capability to make the US Congress to adjust the laws required for the proposed cooperation. One should not ignore the strong anti-proliferation lobby which has already voiced its concerns over the deal. What if Bush fails to deliver adequately on this issue? Besides, how much clout does the US really have over the multilateral nuclear regimes, especially the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)? What if a section inside the NSG, for example China, decides to oppose? Would the US administration be still able to provide adequate support for India's nuclear programme that would meet India's energy requirements? These are significant questions that need to be addressed.
Finally, should India be a part of the American strategy to contain China in Asia? India's relations with China have been improving steadily over the past few years, but the development has been slow. The trade has multiplied dramatically; so have been the official exchanges. However, both countries are yet to reach any substantial agreement over the vital boundary question. India cannot afford to antagonise China at this important juncture. China needs to be continuously engaged by India and not be countered, at least in the near future, till the boundary question is settled.
(The writer is Assistant Director,
Institute of Peace and
Conflict Studies, New Delh)
Towards the goal of modernising communications and IT infrastructure in Indian Army, the Corps of Signals took a giant leap forward when it commissioned Mercury Flash, a state-of-the-art strategic broadband satellite network. Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the network in Kolkata on August 7 last. Lt Gen Arvind Sharma, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt Gen Mohinder Puri, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS & T), Lt Gen Davinder Kumar, Signal Officer-in-Chief were present on the occasion. A number of senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and Army also took part in the inaugural ceremony. |
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Mercury Flash comprises a mix of satellite hubs, satellite stations and state-of-the-art switching equipment. The network provides connectivity to far-flung inhospitable terrains in the North and also in North-East. The network would provide secure and reliable voice and data services to Army's formations and units.
To mark the occasion, Defence Minister held an inaugural video conference over the new network with the Formation Commanders located at Pune, Shillong, Leh and Srinagar. Speaking on the occasion, he said “I am happy to acknowledge that the Corps of Signals is marching in step with developments in the fields of communications and Information Technology. To be a reckonable power, we need a very robust, secure and responsive communication infrastructure in support of our defence forces. I am happy to note the competence and dedication of our Signallers who have kept up with the rapid advances in technology to make available to our Army a truly world class system”. |
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input: Maj RS Mahindrakar
The 28th Infantry Commanders Conference was held at Infantry School, Mhow. Chaired by Chief of the Army Staff, Gen JJ Singh and organised under the aegis of the Infantry Directorate, Army Headquarters, the conference was attended by a galaxy of Infantry officers ranging from Army Commanders and Formation Commanders to Battalion Commanders. The conference is a biennial event. The role of Infantry as an ultimate arm has never been in question. To further boost this perception, all Infantrymen have to keep pace with the latest trends in warfare and emerge stronger day by day. The conference, this year, was not just a routine event but the one to carry out a reality check and chart out an action plan for the next two years. The first two days of the conference focussed on issues such as state of equipment, manpower, training and modernisation. The third day was exclusively devoted to regimental issues. As a part of the conference, latest weapons and equipment were on display. Other highlights included laying of the foundation stone of the Cariappa Lecture Hall-cum-Auditorium by Gen JJ Singh. The auditorium will be amongst the most modern and spacious auditoria to be constructed anywhere in India. |
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Mrs Anupama Singh, President, AWWA, launched various welfare projects on the occasion. The next confrerence is scheduled to be held in 2007.
-Col Anil Shorey (Retd)
Ace shooter Lt Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has been honoured with “Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna” Award for the year 2004. Lt Col Rathore, fondly called Chilly, belongs to 9 Grenadiers (Mewar). He saw the shooting ranges for the first time at the age of twentyeight and six years later, achieved the rare distinction of being the first to earn the Olympic silver in post-independent India the 2004 Athens Olympic. |
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In fact Lt Col Rathore had to fight a very different battle at the Athens Olympic. It was no less than a conventional war field as the Markopoulo Shooting Complex was tense during the final forty minutes of the double trap shooting event. It was a difficult battle which perhaps only an armyman could fight. At the qualifying round he was tied at the fourth place with Waldemar Schantz of Germany. Though he started with a miss in the second shot, he fought back with determination to the second position from the fifth place. He further missed twice. But by the penultimate shot he was one point ahead. The final shots were perfect as the pink clay pigeons blew off and the Silver Medal and the day belonged to him. For the Army it was yet another milestone in their pursuit for excellence in sports and for the country it was a sweet success. |
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An alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and Indian Military Academy, DehraDun, Lt Col Rathore was trained at the Army Marksmanship Unit, Mhow (MP). Always a perfect performer, he ranked fourth in the world during 2003-2004. It was any youngman's dream come true, more so of an armyman.
-S Manjula
The 3rd battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, affectionately called Raghunath Battalion, entrered into its 150th year of raising this year. A series of celebrations were held to mark the occasion.
Pictures given here reflect the buoyant mood of the battalion personnel who felt priveleged to be part of the one hundred-and-fifty-year-old battalion.
input: Lt Col VS Sekhon
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Mr Sitanshu Kar took over as Additional Principal Information Officer, Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence on August 16 last. He belongs to the 1983 batch of Indian Information Service. Earlier, he looked after the publicity of the Ministries of Human Resource Development, Science & Technology and Ocean Development and Atomic Energy and Space. Mr Kar Joined Press Information Bureau in 2003 and served the News Services Division of All India Radio and Doordarshan News for seventeen years from July 1985 to April 2003. |
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Born on March 15, 1959 Mr Sitanshu Kar is a Master in Political Science and International Relations from Delhi University. He was awarded M Phil degree in Chinese and Japanese Studies from Delhi University. He has a number of scholarships and fellowships to his credit including the Dutch Government Fellowship (1988), Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Fellowship (1991) and Visnews Trust Fund (now Reuters TV) Fellowship (1988). He attended three specialised training programmes abroad on different aspects of television news reportage, production and transmission. He received training at major TV organisations of the world including BBC (London), NBC (New York), CBC (Toronto), ZDF (Mainz, Germany) and Visnews (London)
A team of two officers, two JCOs and four Other Ranks from 24 Infantry Division led by Capt AS Dullat participated in a naval cruise on INS Magar from Vizag Harbour to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During the cruise, the team touched Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The cruise was planned as an adventure activity on high seas coupled with amphibious training with Navy. In addition to hands-on experience in the day-to-day functioning of the ship, the personnel were also provided with an opportunity to interact with senior officers of Indian Navy and the Vietnam People's Navy as well as foreign dignitaries. In Vietnam, the personnel visited Naval headquarters and headquarters of Military Region Seven. In addition, goodwill visits to the HIV AIDS Centre and Orphanage Centre at Ho Chi Minh were conducted. Local sightseeing trips to legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace and Pagodas also marked the occasion. While returning to Vizag Harbour from Vietnam, the team members had the opportunity to cross the Equator. |
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-Vijay Joshi
The government has enhanced the pension given to freedom fighters from August 15 this year. Ex-Andaman political prisoners will get a total amount of Rs 7,500 pm as against the present amount of Rs 5,760. Freedom fighters who suffered outside the British India will get Rs 6,750 pm as against the present amount of Rs 5,040 and other freedom fighters including those belonging to Indian National Army (INA) will get a total of Rs 6,000 pm as against the present amount of Rs 4,320. The basic dependent family pension of spouses of deceased freedom fighters will also go up by Rs 1,000 per month.
Due to the enhancement, the annual additional outgo is estimated to be Rs 134 crore. The pension would continue to be linked with the price index for subsequent years. The government took the decision to enhance the pension of freedom fighters as it was felt that the amount of pension payable at present was not commensurate with the hardships suffered by them.
-PIB(DW)
Fifteen Assam, deployed in Lebanon as a part of peacekeeping force UNIFIL, celebrated India's Independence Day at its Battalion HQ at Ebel-es-Saqi. The functions were attended by Maj Gen Alain Pellegrini, Force Commander, Brig Gen Robert Winful, Deputy Force Commander, Brig Gen Rafiq Maroun, Commander of Joint Forces and other dignitaries from UNIFIL and Lebanese government. |
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India is one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. As on date, it has over 5500 defence personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions like MONUC (UN Mission to Congo), UMMEE (Ethiopia- Eritrea) and UNIFIL. Over 70,000 soldiers have served in missions all over the world since the first UN mission in Korea in 1950. The Indian Battalion, under the command of Col T Sambaiah, is the seventh Indian battalion in Lebanon. It occupies posts close to Blue Line and provides humanitarian and veterinary assistance to local people. |
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The Independence Day celebrations were unique in more than one way. The decorations included bamboo crafted wall made by troops of Assam Regiment with portraits of Indians leaders. It is pertinent to mention here that a park is also dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi in Ebel-es-Saqi in South Lebanon. The ceremony commenced with the flag-hoisting by Indian contingent commander followed by a mass PT display and other cultural items. This was followed by the Indian tribal dances and performances by Lebanese schoolchildren. Dabkeh, a Lebanese folk dance, added colour to the celebrations. The ceremony concluded with a sumptuous lunch organised by 15 Assam for the participants of the celebrations.
input : Lt Col Gopal Verma
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Editor-in-Chief
Following were the answers given by Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee to various questions asked by Members of Parliament in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha : |
The government has approved a long term perspective plan for the indigenous construction of submarines and acquisition of competence in submarine building. Project 75 is a part of this plan.
At present, the available submarines are maintained and operated to meet the operational requirement of the Navy. The existing submarines are provided mid-life update (MLU) to extend their service life.
Although, M/s Mazagon Docks Limited has no orders at present to build new submarines, the submarine building capability of the yard is being maintained through the MLU of submarines that the yard is tasked to perform from time to time. The submarines would become due for decommissioning as and when their service-life expires.
A committee of senior officers in the Ministry of Defence has been constituted to consider restructuring/cadre review of the Armed Force Headquarters (AFHQ) Civil Services.
The terms of reference are as follows:
a) to assess the magnitude of stagnation in all the grades of AFHQ Civil Service and AFHQ Clerical Service, vis-a-vis similarly recruited/placed officer of other services and suggest remedial measures; and
b) to review the structure of AFHQ Civil Service and AFHQ Clerical Service keeping in view the various recommendations and demands of Association of AFHQ Services.
The committee is in the process of finalising its recommendations and the report is likely to be submitted shortly.
Indian Navy has acquired ten Dornier aircraft at total a cost of Rs 388.20 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for maritime reconnaissance and submarine warfare.
There was no delay in the commissioning of aircraft. The ten aircraft were inducted in the Navy from February 1998 to December 1999. The aircraft are being exploited for maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.
Lt Gen Jeffery Kohler, Director, Defence Security Cooperation Agency of the United States Department of Defence, visited India on April 20 this year to convey the decision of the United States administration to respond to India's request for information for procurement of a medium multi-role combat aircraft for Indian Air Force. Lt Gen Kohler informed the government that the US administration has advised the manufacturers of F-16 and F-18 aircraft to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the aircraft when issued by the Government of India. He also conveyed US readiness to enter into a defence supply, co-production and reasearch and development realtionship in areas of advanced defence technologies. No specific proposals were made.
The government welcomes the US willingness to collaborate with India in the supply, production transfer of technology and joint research and development of defence equipment in accordance with rules, regulations and procedures of the Government of India on eventually acceptable terms and conditions.
A Standard Operating Procedure for coordinated patrol between India and Indonesia was signed on August 13, 2002 and this patrolling is conducted on a biannual basis. A Memorandum of Understanding for coordinated patrol between India and Thailand has also been signed in May this year.
Confirmed cases of piracy were reported in the Indian maritime boundaries in the last three years. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard conduct regular patrols and surveillance missions to act as deterrent against piracy and arms smuggling.
Talks between India and Pakistan to discuss Siachen issue under Composite Dialogue Framework were held in Islamabad in May this year. The two sides held frank and constructive discussions with a view to taking the process forward. They expressed satisfaction at the ceasefire in place since November 2003 and agreed to its continuation. It was agreed by the two sides to continue discussion to resolve the Siachen issue in a peaceful manner.
The government has decided to construct 1,98,881 houses for the families of defence service personnel in cantomments and military stations. The work is proposed to be completed, in four phases, under the Married Accommodation Project at a total estimated cost of Rs 17,358 crore.
Under Phase-1 of the Married Accommodation Project, a total number of 61,658 dwelling units will be constructed. The construction work under Phase-I has already been started at many sites and this phase is likely to be completed by 2005-06. The amount estimated to be spent by the government on Phase-I of the project is Rs 5478.73 crore.
The government has approved the formation of a Joint Venture Comapny (JVC) between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Snecma, France.
The JVC is to establish a centre of excellence for production of civil engine component and assemblies in Bangalore. The JVC will be managed by an independent Board of Directors. Equity participation by HAL and Snecma in the JVC will be on 50:50 basis. The JVC is expected to commence production next year. The export turnover is expected to be around Rs 40 crore per annum.
Army has undertaken small scale development and community projects for the civilians in Jammu and Kashmir where troops are deployed to combat terrorism and insurgency.
The details of fund allocated for operation Sadbhavana since 1998/99 are as under:
| 1998-1999 - Rs 4 crore |
| 1999-2000 - Rs 4 crore |
| 2000-2001 - Rs 8.4 crore |
| 2001-2002 - Rs 10 crore |
| 2002-2003 - Rs 11 crore |
| 2003-2004 - Rs 14 crore |
| 2004-2005 - Rs 41 crore |
| 2005-2006 - Rs 55.92 crore |
There are inputs from the local level which suggest that the implementation of the civic action programme under this operation has been found to have an extremely positive impact on the minds of the local population. The local population is interacting with Army without hesitation. The projects under educational schemes, women empowerment centres, adult education programmes, IT education or community development projects undertaken by the Army have helped in generation of employment and have transformed many lives.
The Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Delhi has developed two processes for preparation of spermicidal agents based on neem. Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior has developed pheromones for control of mosquito population causing dengue fever. The Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), Delhi and DRDE, Gwalior have jointly prepared 2-DEOXY-D Glucose for improving the radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cancer.
All these medicines are in different stages of clinical trials and for 2-DEOXY-D-Glucose technology has been transferred to one of the reputed Indian pharmaceutical industries, Dr Reddy's Laboratory. These medicines have relevance for military as well as civil sector.
The government has taken up modernisation of Ordance Depots in a phased manner. Preparation of detailed project reports in respect of Central Ordnance Depot, Agra and Central Ordance Depot, Jabalpur was entrusted to M/s Metallurgical and Engineering Consultants (India) Limited (MECON), a Government of India enterprise. The detailed project reports have now been completed by MECON and submitted to the government for approval. The modernisation of COD Kanpur, involving an approved expenditure of Rs 187 crore, is at an advanced stage of completion. Definite time frame, by which project reports of the remaining Ordnance Depots are likely to be finalised and taken up for modernisation, cannot be given.
-PIB(DW)
The Bhatinda military station is a picturesque place with lush greenery all around. The station is interspersed with well-manicured parks, playgrounds, rows of ornamental trees, fountains and lawns. What stands apart is a beautifully painted mini-bus. One becomes curious to find out what makes this vehicle so special. As one enters the static van, he is amazed to find rows of neatly stacked books. It is a mobile library run by Chetak Corps as a welfare measure. With about two thousand titles in English and regional languages, it has more than 1300 registered members patronising it. The van also keeps stacks of the latest magazines and journals so as to cater to a variety of tastes and interests. A large section of books and magazines is devoted to children who are the first ones to rush into the van wherever it stops. For the patients recuperating at the Military Hospital of Bhatinda station, the 'library on wheels' has proved to be a boon. The objective of the mobile library is to bring knowledge to the doorsteps of as many people as possible and to inculcate reading habits in children and adults alike. Mrs Kiran Nandrajog, President, AWWA Keepsake (local) has been the brain behind this welfare measure. Today, it is a blessing to everyone. More than twelve families of servicemen from the station have been trained as librarians, and this pool is constantly available to run the library on a rotation basis. If such a welfare project is successful at Bhatinda, one wonders why such vans do not feature at other stations also. |
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-Col Anil Shorey (Ret)
An ex-servicemen rally was held at Pangode Army Station, Thiruvananthapuram. The two-day rally was aimed at helping the ex-servicemen and their next of kin solve their service as well as personal problems. Brig VK Nair (Retd) inaugurated the rally at Cariappa Stadium where special cells on pension, sainik welfare, Ex-Servicemen's Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), grievances/redressal, loan information, canteen, health etc were put up. Earlier, welcoming the ex-servicemen and local dignitaries to the rally, Brig SKH Johnson, Station Commander explained the measures being taken by the Pangode Station for the benefit of retired personnel and widows. He exhorted them to utilise the Helpline set up at the Station Headquarters in May this year for speedy redressal of grievances. The contact phone numbers of Helpline are : 5570988 (Direct) and 2352373 (Army Exchange) Extn. 6200 and 6203. Col PJ John, SO(A), is the Helpline Liaison Officer. |
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Maj Gen MNK Nair (Retd) and Cmde Satish N Nair, Principal Director, Directorate General of Resettlement, Ministry of Defence, also addressed the participants of the rally. Brig OA James, Deputy Director General, NCC (Kerala and Lakshadweep), Brig Sankaran (Retd) and Brig L Vijayan (Retd) were also present on the occasion.
Altogether, 590 ex-servicemen and widows visited the cells set up at Cariappa Stadium. They voiced their grievances, collected ECHS application forms and interacted with defence personnel. A customary lunch where two Army bands – Para Regimental Band and 11 Madras Battalion Band — were in attendance and cultural programme were the highlights of the concluding day of the rally.
-PNK Pillai
from Thiruvananthapuram
A painting competition was conducted by Red Horns AWWA at Government Higher Secondary School, Changsari in Assam. Altogether, 300 students from 13 schools of Kamrup district participated in the competition. Mrs Meenakshi Yadava, President, AWWA, Red Horns Division was the chief guest. While addressing the participants, Mrs Yadava said that the Army Wives Welfare Association has been making efforts to guide the youth in the region to carve a bright future for them. She also interacted with the school teachers and lauded the role played by them in moulding the future generation. |
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The competition was organised for three age groups. Each winner was awarded a certificate alongwith school books, school bag and pencil box. The President, AWWA also gifted three water filters to the school on the occasion.
Lt Gen MC Bhandari, Director General, NCC visited Guwahati. During his visit, he called on Lt Gen Ajay Singh (Retd), Governor of Assam and Mr Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam. The DG discussed many important issues with the dignitaries. Lt Gen Bhandari requested Mr Tarun Gogoi to increase the state funding for NCC activities to the maximum. He said that a total of Rs 7.19 crore would be required for NCC out of which Rs 2.9 crore would be for training and camps. |
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Lt Gen MC Bhandari also said that there are eleven countries where NCC conducts Youth Exchange Programme. He added that seven more countries would be included shortly. He commended the performance of the cadets of Assam in the Youth Exchange Programme during the last two years.
Red Horns Division conducted a medical camp at Rakshasmari in Sonitpur district under the aegis of Chindits Brigade. Two medical specialists, an ENT specialist, a gynaecologist, a surgical specialist, four medical officers and a dental officer treated over 2500 patients who came from surrounding areas. Medicines were given free of cost to the patients. |
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The medical camp was inaugurated by Col SS Prabhu, Commanding Officer, 162 Field Regiment. The local residents thanked the Army for organising the camp in the remote area.
The villagers enjoy a very cordial relation with the Army deployed in the area. Col SS Prabhu assured them that the Red Horns Division would continue to organise such camps in future also.
Lt Gen HS Lidder, GOC, Gajraj Corps inaugurated AWWA Centre and Gajraj Tiny Tots School at Tezpur Cantonment. Earlier, there were two Nursery Schools, named Appu School and Little Flower School, to cater for the education of the wards of defence personnel and civilians located in Solmara and Dipota area. Both the schools have been merged under the name of Gajraj Tiny Tots School. |
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Red Horns Division Sonitpur District Block Level Football Championship-2005 was conducted at Panbari Tea Estate Football Grounds by Chindits Brigade. Five teams participated and the matches were played on league basis. Manmohinipur Tea Estate beat Panbari Tea Estate by 7-0 in the finals. Over 3000 spectators including a large number of women and children witnessed the match. |
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Brig Manohar Singh, Commander, Chindits Brigade gave away the prizes. Speaking on the occasion, he commended the teams for their sportsmanship and team spirit. A colourful dance and the band display by the pipe band of Assam Rifles added colour to the occasion.
A renovated Government Middle School located at Senge village in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated under operation Samaritan by Maj Gen MKV Panicker, GOC, 5 Mountain Division.
The school is located in Senge village at an altitude of 9252 ft. It was built in 1968 by district administration. In view of the dilapidated condition of the school building, 40 Mountain Brigade decided to renovate the school. The villagers also took part in renovation enthusiastically. The school has been given a total facelift with additional amenities. A children park has also been developed. Additional teachers are now being provided by Army on rotational basis to improve the teacher – student ratio.
inputs: Lt Col Narendra Singh,
Lt Anjali Bhatt and
Lt Col SK Goswami
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Recently life in Mumbai came almost to a halt as the city experienced the highest ever rainfall of the century. A city, known for its active life round-the-clock throughout the year, was brought to a grinding halt by Lord Varuna. This year's downpour beat the record of Cheerapunji. More than 900 mm rain in less than 24 hours! |
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True to the spirit and tradition, Armed Forces were pressed into rescue operation which was given different names by different people – some called it operation Sahayata while some others called it operation Madad. Whatever you call, the presence of men-in-uniform, rushing to rescue their civilian brethren, was evident during this disaster. The Western Naval Command rushed sixteen diving and rescue teams from Mumbai and Goa to the flood affected areas while Army pressed in 17 of its columns. Soon rescue boats, water pumps and JCB trucks were deployed. The ever flying service of Indian Air Force was utilised for dropping food and medicines in the flood-affected areas. Fourteen rescue teams were sent to Kolhapur, Sangli and Islampur.
Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh, FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command and Maj Gen Tejinder Singh, GOC, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area supervised the rescue operations in Kalina and surrounding areas of Mumbai.
Needless to say the relentless efforts won applause from one and all.
-Capt AK Lambhate
pix: HS Bobde
On the occasion of Independence Day this year, President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has approved gallantry awards to Armed Forces personnel. In addition, mentions-in-despatches to Armed Forces personnel have also been announced. The list of awardees is as follows:
Nine Rashtriya Rifles (RR), affiliated to Rajputana Rifles, notched up a number of gallantry awards this year. Commanded by Col Ranjan Mahajan at present, this unit has been employed for countering insurgency since 1994. This year, Hav CB Gurung and Rfn Bhupendar Singh received Shaurya Chakra posthumously. In addition, the unit's personnel have been conferred with nine Sena Medals (Gallantry) and one mention-in-despatches. With 124 awards received during previous years, the tally now goes up to 136. -PIB(DW) |
On the occasion of Independence Day, Honorary Commissions of Flight Lieutenants and Flying Officers have been granted to the following Honorary Flying Officers, Master Warrant Officers and Warrant Officers:
To be Honorary Flight Lieutenants Master Warrant Officers (Honorary Flying Officers)
Bhargavan Thekkevalil Papu, Balak Ram, Jagdamba Prasad Pandey, Darshan Singh, Kuldip Singh Bath, Prem Chand, Yash Paul Sharma, R Suburoyalu, Nirmal Singh, Prem Singh Rohella, Ramesh Chandra Shukla, A Rajaram, Baldev Singh Saini, Kanhaiya Lal Kumawat, Sheo Bachan Ram, Nair Govindakutty Koveth, Ashok Kumar Chaturvedi, Sham Raj, Ram Pravesh Singh, Balakrishna Pillai Raghavan Nair, Ved Prakash, Paras Nath Ram, Dilip Kumar Roy, Padakulangra Ouseph Devassy, Hardial Chand, Padma Bahadur Bohora, Balbir Singh, Duvvuri Suryanarayana, Ved Prakash Dhiman, Sankara Narayanan Srambikkal, Paresh Nath Chakravartty, Sohan Singh, Baney Singh Sein, Subas Chandra Pattanayak, Surinder Kumar, Ram Kripal Singh, Dilip Kumar Saha, Padmanabha Das, Sunit Kumar Kalita, Bhagwant Singh, Kishore Chand, Bijay Krishna Prasad, Ran Jeet Singh, Rajender Kumar, Nathuram, Upendra Prasad Singh, Harbhajan Singh Minhas, Joginder Ram Sharma, Uday Narain Dubey, Surjeet Singh Badwal, Ramesh Kumar, Jai Murti Singh
Warrant Officers (Honorary Flying Officers)
Ayodhya Prasad Mandal, Prem Narain Bajpai, Ram Vilas Singh, Kuldip Singh
To be Honorary Flying Officers Master Warrant Officers
Narayan Chandra Saha, Braj Bihari Singh, Raja Ram Singh, Kamal Narayan, Bikash Chandra Das, Mahendra Singh, Jai Prakash Narain, Man Singh, Dwijendra Prasad Dubey, Udai Shankar Tiwari, Avula Laxman, Bhuwan Prakash Pandey, Bulaki Ram Das, Ram Lakhan, Jasmail Singh, Kuldip Singh, Narbdeshwar Pandey, Raj Nath Singh, Ram Kishore Chaturvedi, Jogesh Chandra Kalita, Lalchand Yadav, Narain Kumar, Baijnath Kushwaha, Omanakuttan Nair MR, Hakam Singh, Zorawar Singh Balle, Ramshanker Pandey, Jai Prakash Mittal, Sukhnandan Singh Salathia, Riazuddin, Thakurdas Sarkar, Mukkamala Nataraja Rao, Ambika Thakur, Malkit Singh, KR Vijayan, Mohinder Singh, Arjun, Kali Mardan Singh, Gyan Pal Singh, Baij Nath, John Thomas Thazhepurayil, Jai Narain, Chandra Mohan Pandey, Balbir Singh, Ram Janam Sharma, Shaik Ismael, Ranjeet Singh Kaintura, Badri Lal Mawar, Bhawani Prasad Tiwari, Lakhi Charan Prasad, Chandran Nair VP, Sudhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Tribhuwan Prasad Rai, Bhagawati Prasad Misra, Ramveer Chowbey, Mustaqeem Ahmad Khan, Ramkrishnan Nair KV, Chandra Prakash Yadav, Karippapurath Gopinathan, Appavu J, Majid Ali, Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Brish Bhan Goyal, R Chandra Sekharan, Jagdish Prasad Sharma, Vijay Kumar, Tarlochan Singh Anand, Mohan Sah, Durga Shanker, Pillai Radhakrishnan Gopalan, Shyam Manohar Shukla, Ram Kanwar Sehrawat, Nandeshwar Prabhakar, Kashmira Singh, Chandrasekharan Nair TV, Shibatosh Majumdar, Sasidharan Nanuvaidyan, Rajeshwar Prasad Singh, Pranesh Kumar Choudhury, Tapan Kumar Bhattacharjee, Aloke Kumar Datta, Sukhdev Singh, Himangshu Bikash Sarkar, Gajendra Singh Chauhan, Ram Lagan Ram, Ram Janam Verma, Surendra Yadav, Alfred Lazer, Siya Ram Singh, Singh S, Harbhajan Singh, Kottackal Thomas Mathew, Murari Prasad, Madhusudan Bhanja, K Anantha Kumar K, Gaya Dhar Dash, Mahipal Singh, Aman Singh, Sushil Kumar, Narendra Prasad Rai, G Sreedharan, Ravi Chander Datta, Sudershan Kumar Sehgal, Kailash Nath, Bimal Kumar Sinha, Ram Prakash, Babaji Charan Aech, Kalp Nath Rai, Kachhwah Umed Singh, Suseelan MG, Ganpat Singh Panwar, Samey Singh, Premlal Pandey, Shishir Ranjan Dass, Ramachandran Pattanath, Pabulal Chauhan, Anant Ram Sankhla, Richhpal Singh Randhwa, Rajinder Singh, Damodaran Pacharath, Teja Singh, Kiran Paul Singh, Surinder Singh, Satish Kumar Singh, Net Ram, Gajjan Singh Bhndre, Sreedharan Putiyapurayil, Satyanarayan, Bijaya Nand Dubey, Keshab Ram Sharma, Mahadeo Prasad Gupta, Nirmal Singh, Hakumat Rai, Kashmir Singh, Jagdish Kumar, Thakur ji Tiwari, Utpal Biswas, Gopalakrishnan Nair P, Sudershon Singh, Shri Krishna Agrawal, Madan Gopal, Vijay Kumar Sinha, Hari Prasad Mishra, Geogre MG, Jagdish Singh, Ramkumar Singh, Mewalal Jaiswal, Appukuttan Nair Paramaswaran, Gopi Chand Kumawat Kumbhar, Mahesh Kumar Sharma, Dhirendra Singh Chauhan, Sitaram, Shyam Kumar Rai, Joginder Paul, Rabi Sankar Das, Reghunathan Nair PG, Kamlesh Chandra, Partap Singh, Shyam Sunder Das, Tribhushan Nath Pandey, Surinder Kumar Bhalla, Rajaram, Raj Karan Yadav, Rajendra Kumar Bajpai, Surinder Mohan Vig, Amar Singh Bharwaria, Madan Mohan Pathak, Jiban Sen Gupta, Jadumani Behra, Pramod Kumar Tripathi, Antony Manjaly Anthony, Sat Dev Pathik, Terlok Chand, Bhuvangiri Gopal Jetty, Amrit Lal Chauhan, Dubari Pandey, Sanji Ram, Saroj Dutta, Ram Lakhan Lall Pandey, Vijay Kumar Jha, Sreedharan Namboory PK
Warrant Officers
Ram Prasad Ram SC, Sivanpillai N, Shiva Charan, Rabindra Prasad Singh, Mohammed Omer, Sumer Singh Yadava, Sudarshan Prasad, Sharda Prasad Mishra, Shivakant Pandey, Hemshankar Singh, Dinesh Dubey, Kamal Kishore Verma, Dilip Ranjan Sircar, Brij Pal, Shali Gram Singh, Mohammad Anwar Khan, Gyan Chand Das, Vinod Kumar Chaturvedi, Ramesh Chander, Hari Chand Goyal, Kishori Lal, Makhan Singh, Bishwa Nath Singh, Ramesh Chandra, Jainandan Soni, Chandra Pal Mishra, Bachchu Lal Singh, Anant Prasad Paul, Sailendra Chandra Nandy, Yadunath Singh Kushwah, Bani Singh Chouhan, Shyamal Krishna Roy Choudhury, Amar Singh, Gaya Shankar Mishra, V Arumugum, Sheomurat Prasad Yadav, Shankar Prasad Mandal, A Pavithran, Ram Krishan, Sardari Lal, Sone Lal Dohare.
–PIB(DW)
Under operation Sadbhavana, Headquarters, 15 Corps took up a novel initiative. With 54 advance Field Veterninary Hospital, under the guidance of Lt Gen SS Dhillon, GOC, 15 Corps a week-long capsule course on “Equine was conducted for the interns of the Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary (BVSc & AH) degree, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir. Maj Gen MS Balhara, General Officer Commanding, CIF(K) was the chief guest at the inaugural function which was attended by senior Army officicers and civil authorities. Altogether, 20 students participated in the course. |
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The course was conducted in response to requests from the university authorities to train the fledgling veterinarians as the existing curriculum does not cover the subject adequately. The course covered important areas of equine management like equine breeding, infectious equine diseases, surgical aspects and equestrian sports. The thrust of the course was to impart practical and theoretical training by demonstrations, lectures audio-visual aids.
As Jammu and Kashmir has a sizeable equine population, the course aimed to equip the interns with the technical know-how of managing equines and treating equine ailments with proficiency. Mules and ponies play a vital role in the tourism- dependent economy of the state by ferrying tourists during Amarnath Yatra and to tourist spots.
A booklet on 'Equine Management' was also released on the occasion. The interns were deeply impressed with the course and were of the opinion that such course should be conducted on a regular basis with a minimum duration of two weeks.
input: Col SK Sharma
| The 13th Battaltion of the Kumaon Regiment (Rezang La) returned to India after a successful tenure in United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). Inducted in July last year, the battalion participated in peacekeeping operations in an area spanning over 11495 kms in Ethiopia and Eritrea. |
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In addition to operational tasks, the battation took up many development works in its mission area. It constructed check dams, water channels and shallow wells to provide bulk water supply to the local population. It conducted medical camps in remote areas and treated more than 50,000 patients. For the first time a veterinary detachment was inducted with the battalion which provided veterinary care in remote areas. The vet camps received an overwhelming response as more than one lakh animals were provided treatment.
Vocational training was provided in the field of computers, vehicle and generator repairs and carpentry. In the field of infrastructure development, numerous projects like repair of tracks, leveling of playfields and clearance of debris were undertaken on the request of local administraion.
The battalion undertook an extensive drive to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS in the region by conducting road shows at public places and lectures by the medical officer at schools and colleges. It also contributed towards environmental awareness by undertaking extensive tree plantation and cleanliness drives.
The proactive policy combined with positive transparency furthered the process of normalisation of relations between the two countries and fostered the spirit of peaceful co-existence. In recongnition of its outstanding contribution, the contingent was awarded the Force Commander's Citation.
A special sainik sammelan of the battalion was held in New Delhi to mark its retrun from UN mission. The sammelan was addressed by Lt Gen AS Bahia, Quarter Master General, who is also the Colonel Commandant of the Kumaon Regiment.
-PIB (DW)
The Third Military Training Regiment (MTR), located at Navelim Camp, swung into action on the morning of July 25 last when a landslide struck a small village, Dicarpale, close to Army Cantt of regiment. A few make-shift hutments of furniture vendors which were located at the base of a hill were buried. |
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On receiving the news, the Second-in-Command and Adjutant of the regiment alongwith 30 men rushed to the site. They immediately procured an excavator from the district administration. The recovery of bodies buried in the slush was done manually by the jawans amid the imminent risk of another landslide. Despite incessant rain, the jawans were able to pull out six dead bodies in three hours. Three more bodies were recovered next day morning. The personal grit and determination of the jawans of 3 MTR set yet another example.
input: Lt Col KN Padha
Lt Gen Hari Prasad, GOC-in-C, Northern Command inaugurated the “North Star Clinic” at Udhampur. The clinic is set up to meet the out-patient requirements of Udhampur garrison and will also attend to emergency cases. Ideally located at a central point in the cantonment, the clinic has been equipped with state-of-the-art gadgets for providing quality medical care to patients including troops, families and ex-servicemen of Udhampur. The facilities include a laboratory, radio imaging services, maternal and child health care, immunisation, health education and counselling. These facilities will ensure a comprehensive range of services from routine medical care to round-the-clock emergency services. |
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Lt Gen Hari Prasad appreciated the services rendered by Army Medical Corps to the combatants and residents of Jammu and Kashmir under operation Sadbhavana and Border Area Development Programme. He hoped that the clinic would provide optimal clientele satisfaction. On the occasion, Army Commander also dedicated a trauma care ambulance to the troops of the region.
-Col RK Sen
“The Maharasthra Government has been taking a number of steps for the welfare of ex-servicemen of the state”, said Dr Patangrao Kadam, Minister for Co-operative, Rehabilitation and Assistance, Government of Maharashtra. He was speaking at the sixth Kargil Vijay Diwas function organised by the Department of Sainik Welfare at Sangli. On this occasion, the next of kin of five jawans who laid down their lives for the country were given Rs 5 lakh each and a Tamra-Patra by the Minister. Four differently abled soldiers were also honoured and given cash awards. Those who won gallantry or distinguished service awards were also honoured. |
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Col Bhagatsinh Deshmukh (Retd), Director, Department of Sainik Welfare, in his welcome address, stated that the proposal to pay a pension of Rs 1000 per month to the war widows of the period extending from 1947 to 1995 was pending with the government. He also urged the government to remove VAT on the goods purchased by ex-servicemen from the Defence Canteen Stores. On the occasion, those who did excellent work in collection of Flag Day Fund were felicitated. A large number of ex-servicemen and their families were present on the occasion.
input: Col VN Tambekar (Retd)
•Units and formations of the Defence Services celebrated the Independence Day with great enthusiasm. In Srinagar, the Sardar-i-Riyasat of Jammu & Kashmir took the salute at a ceremonial parade held to mark the occasion. “Beating Retreat” by pipe and brass bands of the Army was another feature of the celebrations. Distribution of sweets to school-children were some of the features of Independence Day celebrations in Jullundur. In Kohima, a large number of Nagas were among those who witnessed the Independence Day parade by the Assam Rifles and the Assam Police. The 58 Gorkha Training Centre in Dehra Dun celebrated the occasion on an unprecedented scale. An interesting feature of the celebrations by the Gorkhas was a competition in devotional songs in the unit mandir. •The Gorvernment of Mysore in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence are developing a land colony for the resettlement of 350 ex-servicemen at Ratnaupra in the Mysore district. The colony consists of a compact block of 5000 acres of jungle land situated six miles from Hunsur, 29 from Mysore and 120 from Bangalore. It is connected to Hunsur by a metalled road. The area is undulating and picturesque, the soil fertile and suitable for growing paddy, ragi, til, cotton, chillies, tobacco etc. The reclamation of land is carried out by the settlers with manual labour. The ex-servicemen are paid Rs 60 per acre for the reclamation of dry land and Rs 100 per acre of wet land. |
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Maj Gen Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of General Office, Central Military Commission, China alongwith a seven-member delegation visited Rajputana Rifles Regimental Centre, Delhi Cantt. After a briefing by Col Amardeep Narain, deputy Commandant, Rajputana Rifles Regimental Centre, the delegation members visited the integrated indoor training complex, Drona simulator room, computer training lab and gymnasium. They were highly appreciative about the well laid-out training facilities at the centre and were impressed by the training structure. |
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input : Lt Col Jiten Vadhera
The second HR and Training Conference of Civilians of Indian Navy was held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. The conference was inaugurated by Vice Admiral OP Bansal, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Vice Admiral K Venkat Bharathan, Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters was the chief guest. The conference was attended by senior Naval officers, civilian officers and personnel of Indian Navy. |
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The conference focussed on various human resource aspects of Navy's civilian staff who form nearly fifty per cent of Navy's work force. Vice Admiral OP Bansal, in his opening address, said that since the civilian workers are an equal partner in the overall strength of Navy, there is a need to look at this vast human resource with equal importance.
Indian Navy has designated the current year as the 'Year of the Naval Civilians'. Vice Admiral Bansal also released a trilingual magazine, Meghadri Patra. Vice Admiral Bharathan released a special handbook, titled “Our People Our Strength”, written on the achievements and activities of the Naval Dockyard Personnel.
-Capt LN Prasad
from Visakhapatnam/p>
Chief of the Army Staff, Gen JJ Singh hosted the 25th National Defence Academy Course get-together dinner at Army House, New Delhi. The occasion was marked by wreath-laying ceremony at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in memory of the departed officers of the course. Amongst the prominent attendees at the reunion dinner were Lt Gen Hari Prasad, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen CS Chima, Director General, Army Air Defence and Vice Admiral PK Jaitely, Chief Medical Officer, Indian Navy. |
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Brig Pavan Gulati (Retd), the spokesperson of the Course, mentioned that the event is likely to become a regular fixture in future.
-PIB (DW)
Headquarters, Southern Air Command celebrated its 22nd raising day at Akkulam. Air Marshal Sharad Yashwant Savur Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters, Southern Air Command was the chief guest at the get-together of retired and serving Air Force personnel. Southern Air Command is the youngest of the five regional commands of the Indian Air Force. It has actively participated in several operations, activations and tri-Services exercises. |
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-PN Krishna Pillai
Annual Army Air Defence Association General Body meeting was held at Army Air Defence Centre, Nasik Road Camp. The meeting was chaired by Lt Gen CS Chima, Director General and Senior Colonel Commandant, Army Air Defence. He opened the meeting with an overview of operational training and welfare aspects. Issues related to training of recruits, automation of Army Air Defence Records and management of PBOR in the corps were also discussed. |
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input: Lt Col Tapendra Singh
Directorate General Naval Projects (V) celebrated its 38th raising day at Command Stadium, Visakhapatnam. Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral NS Nain, DG emphasised the need for a firm commitment for completing the Naval projects at Visakhapatnam. He also released the magazine, Nirman. Directorate General, Naval Projects is an organisation involved in augmenting the technical infrastructure of Navy at Visakhapatnam. |
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-Capt LN Prasad
Martyrs Day was celebrated at 69 Field Regiment. A wreath-laying ceremony at the martyr memorial at the Regiment Quarter Guard and a special Sainik Sammelan marked the occasion. Col Manish Sarcar, Commanding Officer, presented Lt Abhay Pareekh Scholarship for the best student instituted last year. He also received a memento from Capt Veera Raja Reddy Foundation. |
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input: Maj Pawan Sharma
Mrs Beevan Chima, Chairperson AWWA, Army Air Defence visited Army Air Defence Centre. She attended the family welfare meet organised by the Centre and interacted with AWWA members. She also inaugurated a play school at AWWA Complex. |
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input: Tapendra Singh
A five-day cancer awareness camp was organised under the aegies of Army Wives Welfare Association Oncology Centre of the Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt. The camp was inaugurated by Mrs Deepa Bhardwaj, President AWWA, Delhi Area. During this camp, an exhibition on cancer awareness was put up. A video show on self-examination of breast cancer and screening of cervical cancer were also arranged. |
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input: Maj SK Mishra
The Indian Coast Guard organised a blood donation camp at Fort St George, Chennai. The District Commander, DIG BK Patasahani inaugurated the camp.
A similar camp was also held at Indian Coast Guard Air Station in Meenambakkam. The camps were held for three days and over 170 Coast Guard personnel donated blood on the occasion.
input: Comdt Rakesh Gondane
A Dental Health Camp was conducted at the Station Medicare Centre, Headquarters Southern Air Command, Air Force with the help of specialists from Government Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram. |
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The camp was inaugurated by Dr (Mrs) Asha Savur, Dental Surgeon and President, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional). Free dental check-up was carried out to 850 school-children of Kendriya Vidyalaya and Air Force School alongwith Air Force families at the day-long camp.
-PN Krishna Pillai
from Thiruvananthapuram
INS Sagardhwani, an indigenously designed multi-purpose marine acoustic research ship (MARS), celebrated her 11th anniversary. Built by Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers, Kolkata the ship is operated by Indian Navy for Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL). |
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The ship's crew celebrated the anniversary with the children of 'Sneha Bhavan', a home away from home Thoppumpady for the children below 13 years. Cdr GC Rambabu, Commanding Officer, INS Sagardhwani received Rear Admiral Rajender Singh, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. Father Mathew Thomas, Executive Director of 'Sneha Bhavan', welcomed the Admiral and acknowledged the concern displayed by the ships' crew towards the children. After addressing the Naval personnel on the occassion, the Admiral gave away gifts to all the children.
-Cdr M Nambiar
from Kochi
The first annual magazine in Hindi of the Security Office of the Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ), Prayas, was released by Col AK Sharma, Chief Security Officer, AFHQ at a function held in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Col Sharma commended the efforts of the editorial team for bringing out the magazine in a short period. He requested all the personnel of the Security Office to ensure the implementation of the official language. Mr HM Naik, Joint Director (Security) also spoke on the occasion. |
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-R Chidambaranathan
pic: Naresh Kumar
Nine Garhwal Rifles organised a blood donation camp at PRC lines, Meerut Cantt with assistance from the Army Transfusion Centre, New Delhi. Maj Gen GS Grewal, GOC, 9 Infantry Division inaugurated the camp. Seven officers, six JCOs and 134 of 9 Garhwal Rifles donated blood on the occasion. Altogether, 250 units of blood samples were collected from the troops of Pine Infantry Division. Appreciating all ranks, the GOC said that their contribution would go a long way to help soldiers and their dependents undergoing treatment at various hospitals. |
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input : Maj SK Mishra
Mr Syed Sibtey Razi, the Governor of Jharkhand inaugurated the Watermanship Club of Sainik School, Tilaiya. Sainik School, Tilaiya is one of the first Sainik Schools to have its own Watermanship Club equipped with a speedboat, four kayaks and other necessary apparels. Cdr Mahesh Kandpal, School Principal, welcomed the Governor. Addressing the cadets, the Governor exhorted them to strive to protect the socio-cultural harmony of the nation from onslaughts of all kinds. |
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input: Cdr Mahesh Kandpal
The 55th Inter-Services Aquatic Championship was organised at Eastern Naval Command swimming pool, Visakhapatnam. The championship was inaugurated by Rear Admiral NM Nadaph, Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam at a colourful ceremony. The opening ceremony included a march-past, oath-taking, cultural programmes by NCC cadets and finals of 200-mtr butterfly stroke, back stroke and free style races. |
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The championship was held for the second consecutive year by the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam. Four teams from the Services namely Army Red, Army Green, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force took part in the championship.
-Capt LN Prasad
from Visakhapatnam
The Inter-Battalion Aquatic Championship-2005 of Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre and School was organised at Swimming Pool, Surya Officers Institute (SOI) in Lucknow Cantonment. Lt Gen HK Maini, Commandant, AMC Centre and School gave away the prizes to the winners. He awarded the championship trophy to Lt Col SB Singh, Commanding Officer, No 2 Military Training Battalion. |
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-SHM Zaidi
from Lucknow
Air Marshal Avinash Deodatta Joshi took over the charge of Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Force Command.
Air Marshal AD Joshi was commissioned in Air Force in June, 1967 as a Fighter Pilot and was awarded the Flying Trophy. He has over 3800 hours of flying on fighter aircraft which include three variants of MiG-21and two variants of MiG-23. He commanded a MiG-23 BN Squadron. He took active part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and was awarded Mention-in-Despatches. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in operation Meghdoot. |
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Air Marshal Joshi commanded a front-line Air Force base in Rajasthan and AF station, Bidar. He was instrumental in forming the famous “Surya Kiran” aerobatic team at Bidar. He was Deputy Commandant of College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad before assuming the staff appointment of Assistant Chief Air Staff (Personnel Officers). On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, he took over as the SASO at HQ South-West Air Command. He was appointed AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command in November last year.
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Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani took over as new Vice Chief of Air Staff. With a highly professional background, he has had a distinguished career profile.
Air Marshal Bhavnani was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in October 1966. He has had an unblemished professional flying record of accident-free flying on most of the front-line combat aircraft of the IAF. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he flew 22 operational missions into enemy territory. In 1976, he underwent the Fighter Combat Leaders Course at Top Gun School, TACDE. In 1984, he was selected to lead the IAF team to France to fly the state-of-the-art Mirage 2000 aircraft. On return, he commanded 7 Squadron, the first IAF squadron to be equipped with a modern and potent weapons platform. A graduate of the Defence Service Staff College, he also served there as a Directing Staff. From 1993-96, he served as the Defence Attache, Sweden and the Scandinavian countries. In 1996, he was appointed as Air Officer Commanding of the premier fighter base at Gwalior. |
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Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani has been awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1986, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1991 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal this year for his exceptional display of dedication and professionalism.
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Rear Admiral Anil Chopra took over as the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command from Rear Admiral RP Suthan.
During his 30 years of service Admiral Chopra has held various command, operational and staff appointments. He has commanded INS Kuthar, INS Rajput and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. Admiral Chopra is a specialist in Gunnery and missile warfare.
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Lt Gen Arvind Mahajan took over as Commandant of Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad. Lt Gen Mahajan, an alumnus of National Defence College, attended a course in Kvadrat Air Defence System in the erstwhile USSR. |
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Commissioned in the Indian Army on December 21, 1968, Lt Gen Mahajan has held various prestigious staff and command appointments. Before taking over as Commandant, MCEME, he was Additional Director General (Administration and Coordination) at Army Headquarters, New Delhi.
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Mr N S Sisodia, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer of the Rajasthan cadre of 1968 batch, is the new Director of Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Mr Sisodia has held senior positions in the Ministries of Defence and Finance, National Security Council Secretariat and Cabinet Secretariat. |
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inputs : Sqn Ldr Mahesh
Upasani, Capt LN Prasad and
A Surekha Rao
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source: Vijay Joshi, Fulchand
and RL Sharma
