The Coast Guard’s two hovercraft capable of cruising faster in shallow waters and which are now based at Haldia would be shifted to Mandapam to prevent smuggling activities, said Commander R S Vasan, Commander, Coast Guard Region, East. He was inaugurating a two-day conference of the District Commanders of the Coast Guard.

Reviewing the Eastern Region’s performance, Commander Vasan said that the Coast Guard has contingency plans to prevent situations arising out of any mishap in handling dangerous cargo like chemicals and oil. The Commander also stressed the need to enhance the vigil.

A ten-day national integration camp of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Girls Division was organised at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chandigarh. About 500 cadets belonging to senior and junior wings of NCC from across the country participated in the camp.

Addressing the cadets, the Deputy Director General, NCC Directorate, Chandigarh, Brig R S Kalha called upon the cadets to inculcate in them the qualities of discipline, leadership and patriotism. Brig Kalha also gave away the prizes to those who excelled in various activities organised during the camp. A cultural programme was presented on the occasion.

The aim of the camp was to instil amongst the cadets the spirit of national integration by providing them an opportunity to interact closely and also give them an exposure to the diverse social and cultural aspects of the country.

Talks were delivered on topics like leadership, motivation, yoga and meditation and facing service selection board interviews. Visits were also organised to places of interest in and around Chandigarh.

The 200 Medium Regiment known as the ‘Double Centurions’ celebrated their 30th raising day. This unit of artillery was raised on June 20, 1972 at Kachrapara, West Bengal. The unit has taken part in operations Pawan, Rakshak and Vijay. The 30th raising day celebrations began with a special guard of honour in the Quarter Guard followed by a sainik sammelan, ceremonies at Sarva Dharm Sthal, regimental barakhana, Families Welfare Meet and JCOs Mess Function. Some of the old veterans were also present on the occasion.

The mortal remains of Maj Samir-ul-Islam, who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting against militants at Half long in Assam was buried with full military honours. Parents, wife and other family members of martyr Maj Samir laid wreaths on mortal remains.

The Mumbai Sub Area of the Army conducted an Army-Media Interaction seminar to convey various aspects of the Army to the media and also to obtain their views.

Maj Gen VS Yadav, GOC, M and G Area, while inaugurating the seminar emphasised the need to enhance awareness about defence subjects.

Senior officers from the Army and eminent mediapersons spoke on various subjects. The talks by Army officers included "Role and organisation of Army", ‘‘Army Recruitment System’’, ‘‘Judicial System in the Army’’ etc. Brig SP Mehla, the Brigade Commander of 75 Infantry Brigade made a presentation on the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the Army in the quake-stricken areas.

Mr Milind Gadgil, war correspondent in Mumbai said that defence matters should be reported in a mature and responsible manner with a national perspective. Undue biased, sensational reporting affecting national interests must be avoided, he added. Mr Arun Kumar Bhatt of ‘The Hindu’ spoke elaborately on ‘‘Media and Proxy War’’.

Brig PK Rampal, the Sub Area Commander chaired the seminar. The mediapersons were given brief presentations on infantry operations and air defence operations by officers of 15 Bihar Infantry Battalion and 28 AD Regiment.

Fiftynine Army officers and eight Air Force officers passed out of the Institute of Armament Technology (IAT), Girinagar after successfully completing the Technical Staff Officers course.

The GOC-in-C, Southern Command, Lt Gen NC Vij was the chief guest at the valedictory function in which trainees of the 26th Technical Staff Officers course of Army and Tenth course of Air Force passed out. Maj Mukesh Chadha of ASC was awarded the EME Trophy and Colonel Patterson Award for standing first in the order of merit in the Army course.
Sqn Ldr D Pratap was awarded the Chief of Air Staff Trophy and Air Commodore S K Nair Award for standing first in the order of merit in his course.

Speaking on the occasion, the Southern Army Commander, Lt Gen Vij said that the last 50 years has seen advances in the field of science and technology. These changes have also revolutionalised military affairs with the introduction of weapons of mass destruction and engagement of enemy beyond human visibility through more lethal and accurate weapon systems.

Lt Gen NC Vij also said that IAT is a centre of excellence for providing customised training which is a vital requirement of the Armed Forces.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director and Dean of IAT, Prof G S Mani said that IAT has over fifty courses for the Armed Forces and will soon be introducing courses in electronic warfare and information technology.

The Army Sports Institute (ASI) was inaugurated at Ghorpuri in Pune. The officiating Director General Military Training, Maj Gen Ashok Vasudeva inaugurated the 60 crore
-rupees project. A number of senior officers and prominent sportsmen were present at opening of the ASI.

Spread over 60 acres, the ASI under the aegis of Pune Sub Area will train sportsmen in boxing, selected events in athletics, archery, weightlifting and diving. The institute aims at creating international level medal winning prospects at the Asian Games, Olympics and other games.

The sports institute will function under the technical control of the GOC-in-C, Artrac through the Director General of Military Training, Army HQ. The ASI is being designed to train between 150 and 300 sportsmen. In addition to the existing modes of inducting talented sportsmen into the Army, the ASI will directly scout and enrol proven talent at the junior national level or any other potential young talent available in the country. The ASI is being headed by Col M A Naik.

The Directorate of National Cadet Corps (NCC) of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal launched its website. It was inaugurated by Mr V K Mittal, Principal Secretary, Finance. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mittal lauded the role of NCC in nation building.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Brig Gurdial Singh, DDG, NCC (UP and Uttaranchal) informed that this website has been conceptualised with the aim of bringing an interactive response from all parts of the state and the country.

The website gives details of the glorious history of NCC, training activities, adventure training, NCC sports and community development programmes in rural areas. Information pertaining to various incentives being given to the NCC cadets by the state government, central government and Director General NCC has also been provided.

Application forms for commission in the Armed Forces and forms for applying for NCC training by the educational institutions is available on the website. The terms and conditions of Associate NCC Officers, Girl Cadet Instructors and Whole Time NCC Officers also form part of the website.

The address of website is: www.upucncc.org

An exhibition and a short play on healthy living were organised as part of a health education programme by Command Hospital at Manekshaw Auditorium in Chandimandir Cantonment.

Inaugurating the exhibition, President, Western Command Army Wives Welfare Association, Mrs Deep Surjit Singh emphasised the need to put into practice the message of health, hygiene, sanitation and small family norms. Messages were conveyed through plays and the exhibits. She called upon the families living in the cantonment area to keep their homes and surroundings neat and clean.

The Commandant of the Hospital, Maj Gen Pratap Dayal highlighted the importance of healthy living.

Nursing cadets of the School of Nursing, Command Hospital presented a play. An health exhibition was put up by the Station Health Organisation under the guidance of
Lt Col Dharmadhikari. The programmes covered important health issues like environment, sanitation, prevention of communicable diseases, immunisation, family planning, nutrition and malaria.

About 600 NCC cadets participated in an anti-polythene drive in Muthapudupet and Mittanamalli villages near Avadi to mark the World Environment Day. The cadets belonged to junior and senior divisions of 1 (TN) Composite Technical Company, Anna University, Sri Venkateswara College and 13 schools from Chennai. They cleared two villages near Air Force Station, Avadi of polythene bags and materials. They also organised an awareness campaign through house visits, rallies and staging roadside skits.

Under the aegis of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Local) and National Cadet Corps, the cadets launched this drive as part of their combined annual training camp under the Command of Lt Col Anil C Simon.

Addressing the cadets, Air Cmde N I Razzaqui, AOC, Avadi said that NCC cadets were making a major contribution through sincere and innovative approach to prevent environment degradation. He also stressed the need for creating awareness about civic duties and responsibilities.

A magic show for children was organised by the Central Command Army Wives’ Welfare Association (CCAWWA) at Surya Auditorium in Lucknow Cantonment.

Magician, Mr A K Banerjee kept the 300 odd children laughing and enjoying for over an hour. Later, Col A K Chanda felicitated the magician, Mr A K Banerjee.

A three-day long workshop for Primary Teachers was organised at Air Force School, Bamrauli. Mrs Meena Murdeshwar conducted the workshop. Air Force Schools under Central Air Command participated in the workshop.

The valedictory function was presided over by Mrs Santosh Verma President, AFWWA (Regional). She gave away the proficiency certificates and gifts to all the participants. In her address, Mrs Santosh Verma said that this workshop would immensely help Air Force Schools under CAC in maintaining high standards and quality of teaching.

A coffee table book titled ‘History and Heritage of Armed Forces Medical Services’ was released by Lt Gen R K Jetley, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services and Senior Colonel Commandant of Army Medical Corps at war memorial hall in Lucknow Cantonment. Lt Gen P S Joshi, GOC-in-C, Central Command was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Joshi said that this book will be a source of inspiration for the youth joining Army Medical Corps.

Releasing the book, Lt Gen R K Jetley said that book will provide the history and rich heritage of Armed Forces Medical Services. He also gave the details of awards bagged by the Army Medical Corps personnel over the 300 years of it’s inception.

Lt Gen R K Sinha, Commandant, AMC Centre and School proposed vote of thanks and Lt Col S P S Raghav, who compiled the book presented the resume of the book. A large number of Army personnel including Lt Gen Harcharan Singh, DGMS (Army) and Lt Gen R M Chadha, COS, Central Command were also present on the occasion.

The Bison Division shooting Championship was organised under the aegis of Brig RS Kataria. Eight teams participated in the competition. The Madras Regiment won the overall championship followed by Bihar Regiment securing second position. Individual prize winners were Hav Rajesh Patel (rifle), Naik Pandunath (sten machine gun), Sep JP Ekka (light machine gun), Lieutenant Jaideep (pistol) and Sep Pasu Oraon (sniper rifle).

Maj Gen S Pattabhiraman, General Officer Commanding, Bison Division gave away prizes to the winners.

The Red Eagles Division organised a Divisional Troops Football Championship at Field Ambulance Ground. The final match of the tournament was played between the Engineer Regiment and the ASC Battalion. Brig MS Ruhil, officiating General Officer Commanding of the Division was the chief guest on the occasion.

The ASC Battalion shot in the lead by a field goal in the first-half. The Engineer Regiment equalised in the second-half. Both the teams were at level at the end of the stipulated game time. In an extremely nail biting finish, the Engineer Regiment emerged victorious in a penalty shoot out. Brig MS Ruhil gave away the prizes and the trophy to the winning team.

A swimming competition was organised under the aegis of Central Command for the children of service and ex-servicemen at the Surya Swimming Pool in Lucknow Cantonment.

The three-day swimming gala had been organised as culmination to a series of sporting and other recreational activities towards the end of summer holidays.

Mrs Deanna Corneluis distributed the prizes to the winners of various categories of the swimming competition. Maj Gen B Corneluis gave away prizes to the organising Committee.

A group of boys from Kasturba Gandhi Medical College, Manipal were on a weekend holiday to Kadike beach located 50 Kms north of New Mangalore. While swimming, one of the students of Malaysian nationality reportedly drowned due to strong currents. One rescue boat and a helicopter ex-Goa were pressed into action by the Coast Guard to search and locate the missing boy. The intensive efforts launched by the Coast Guard despite prevailing adverse weather conditions resulted in recovery of the body of the student, Louis Pragasam, a first year medical student. The body was later handed over to the police authorities at New Mangalore.

The Eastern Command ARA Championship 2001 was conducted under the aegis of 20 Mountain Division. The aim of the championship was to create interest in small arms shooting amongst the personnel of the Armed Forces and develop competitive spirit and esprit-de-corps. The major focus of the championship was on selection of Eastern Command ARA team for the National Combat Forces Shooting Competition (NCFSC) to be held under the aegis of the ARA, India at the Infantry School, Mhow.

Ten teams from the Eastern Command participated. The matches conducted in all the six categories were keenly contested. 20 Mountain Division ARA team won the overall championship trophy and 5 Mountain Division ARA team was the runners up. Maj Gen Nanjappa, GOC, 20 Mountain Division gave away the prizes. Complimenting the prize winners, the GOC urged the selected team to perform with same spirit at Mhow.