Joint Indo-US Exercise At Mahajan & Bhatinda : Yudh Abhyas
The seventh edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas was held from 05-15 March in two locations in South Western Command. Commencing at the platoon level, the exercise has now graduated to a command post (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX).
The CPX had an engineer brigade headquarters with planners from both sides, while the FTX comprised troops of 2nd Squadron, 14th US Cavalry Regiment from 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii, along with a platoon of Strykers, and a similar sized Indian Army contingent of the Mechanised Infantry. A number of key surveillance, communications and improvised explosive devices detection and neutralisation technologies, available with both sides, were fielded.
Youth Exchange Programme of NCC Cadets to Vietnam
Eleven NCC Cadets from various parts of the country including six Girls with two Army Instructors visited Vietnam from 26 Feb-06 Mar, as part of Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) between NCC, India and Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF). The Cadets experienced the wide diversity of the host country and presented their own cultural shows like ‘Incredible India’ to the Vietnamese audience. The young ambassadors exchanged gifts and mementos with the volunteers of VYF and took note of out each other’s customs and cultural heritage.
First Indo-Indonesia Joint Exercise
Red Horns division conducted the first joint Exercise with Indonesian Army ‘Garuda Shakti’, at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), Vairengte, from 20 Feb to 04 Mar. The Indonesian commando team belonged to 13th Infantry Brigade of the Indonesian Army’s Strategic Reserve Command (KOSTRAD), comprising five officers, six NCOs and 14 privates. Indian troops were from MADRAS Regiment. Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopters were employed for the exercise, to enable heli-borne and slithering operations.
Seminar on Stress Management
A two day Joint Seminar on Stress Management, involving scientists of Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), New Delhi and 3 Corps Sahyog Awareness Team, was conducted recently. The seminar was designed over five sessions and included events like individual counselling, open house discussions and display of books on stress management. 350 officers, JCOs, ORs and ladies participated. For dissemination of information on stress management, Sahyog Website was also launched on the Army Intranet.
Run For Health’ Organised in Faridkot
A ‘Run for Health, was organised by the Amogh Artillery, in collaboration with the Rotary Club, Faridkot. 4000 enthusiastic runners, ranging from young boys and girls to even octogenarians participated. The event aimed to create awareness regarding healthy and happy living amongst general public and generated bon-homie and goodwill regarding Army amongst the people.
Army Mela at Bengdubi
An Army Mela was organised at military station Bengdubi. The event was witnessed by more than 10,000 spectators including veterans, senior citizens and school children. A highlight of the event was Mule Trick Riding and Equestrian Show by Horse Fliers of Animal Transport Battalion of ASC.
Army Mela at Bikaner
Army Mela cum Ex-Servicemen rally was organized at Bikaner on 18-19 Feb by Ranbankura Division. 'Indian Army : Partners In Nation Building' was the theme. Events included weapon and equipment display, info stalls for Ex-Servicemen and youth, sky diving, motorcycle display, horse & dog show, band display and a medical and blood donation camp. Mobility scooters were presented to four PBOR who had lost their limbs while in service. Tributes were paid to martyrs by felicitating eleven Veer Naris/War Widows.
Theatrisation of Signals in South Western Command
Theatrisation of Signals has now been been achieved in South Western Command. It aims to achieve convergence of responsibility for optimal utilisation of available resources in the theatre and for static communication. This relieves field formations from static communication infrastructure responsibilities, enabling focus on provisioning communication for operational tasks.
Arms Laying Down Ceremony In Gajraj Corps
An ‘Arms Laying down Ceremony’ by nine militant groups was held at Sarusajai Indoor Stadium, Guwahati recently. Seven militant groups laid down their arms, to be later joined by two adivasi groups, ACMA (Adivasi Cobra Militant Army) and BCF (Birsa Commando Force). 1695 cadres from the nine groups laid down their arms in front of Mr P Chidambaram, Union Home Minister, Mr Tarun Gogoi, CM of Assam and GOC Gajraj Corps. With this, in effect all the adivasi groups and Kuki groups in Assam, who were potential candidates for maoist influence, have joined the mainstream.
Vets in Olive Green to Rescue of Wild Life in Assam
Army vets of 2 Advance Field Veterinary Hospital (AFVH) have treated many seriously injured and sick wild animals and successfully cured & handed them over to wild life rescue officials of the forest department.
The animals treated included an adult male elephant gravely injured with a six inch long glass shrapnel embedded in its foot. In another instance, advanced ultrasonography was successfully used on a critically injured wild bear cub for prompt diagnosis and successful resuscitation. In yet another accomplishment, the vets saved an orphan elephant calf separated from his herd and found in a state of hypovolemic shock. The hospital has also provided veterinary support to undernourished and sick animals in the village surrounding Misamari Cantt.
Republic Day Celebrations With Peoples Liberation Army
A Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) was organized on 26 Jan at Kongra La (17,000 Ft) in North Sikkim to celebrate Republic Day & cement the cordial relations between Indian Army & Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). The ceremony was attended by a PLA delegation of five officers and three ORs.
Indian Army Centre At Knowledge Fair, Tinsukia
District administration, Tinsukia in collaboration with some social organisations, organised a book fair cum science exhibition from 17 to 22 Feb. Army, Dao Division organised an equipment Display & Career Counselling Show, which was a special attraction at the fair. The display was spearheaded by latest weapons & equipment, currently in use with the Army’s Infantry and Artillery arms.
Rescue of Civilians from Avalanche Hit Areas
Severe weather conditions prevailing in Jammu & Kashmir took a serious turn on 22 Feb, when a series of avalanches hit the area of Sonamarg. On 23 Feb, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir approached the Army for assistance to rescue two individuals who had come under an avalanche. Two specialised foot patrols were launched. However, heavy snowfall thwarted all search efforts, which recommenced on 24 Feb, once the weather opened up. Air Force was requisitioned for helicopters & finally the villagers were located, along with seven additional stranded persons.
Tuition Classes for Children at Baramula
Dagger Artillery Brigade provided free tuition classes to weak students of Class X, XI & XII of Old Town, Baramula who had been unable to avail of paid tuition classes. The classes, attended by 44 students (32 girls & 12 boys) were undertaken in various subjects. GOC Dagger Division also interacted with the students and motivated them to study hard and pursue their dreams in life.
Road Bridge on NH 44 Commissioned
A 60 meter span road bridge constructed by Project Beacon of the Border Roads Organisation at Km 17.5 on the Udhampur Bye Pass connecting National Highway 44 at Jaikhani was commisssioned by Lt Gen KT Parnaik, GOC-in-C Northern Command on 10 Mar. The bridge is double lane, with a load capacity of 70 tonnes. It has been named “Shankar Bridge” in memory of Late Supdt BR-II Shankar Prasad of 118 Road Construction Company, who had made the supreme sacrifice earlier.
Dras Warriors – The Good Samaritans
Dras, the second coldest inhabited place in the world, faced a spell of snow recently, resulting in severing of road Dras-Kargil for 10 days. On 05 Mar, a seven year boy, Mohd Tufail, suffering from severe appendicitis reported to the local civil hospital. However, in the absence of a surgeon and anaesthetist, no treatment could be given. Civil administration, Dras then contacted the Dras Brigade which immediately swung into action and airlifted him to Military Hospital, Kargil. With a burst appendix, the Army Doctors saved young Tufail’s, life just in the nick of time. The episode was raised on 07 Mar in the J&K Assembly, with the Members lauding the efforts of Army and placing it on record.
Army’s Everest Expedition Launched
A Team from the army is now going to climb Mt Everest, attempting to summit it through South (Nepal), the traditional route. The 22 member team was flagged off by the Deputy Chief, Lt Gen Ramesh Halgali, on 12 Mar. The team took off for Kathmandu from Delhi on 22 Mar. After a 17 day long trek, they will reach Base Camp (at 17500 ft) on 12 Apr. Summit attempts will be made between 15-20 May.
Freefall from 10000 Feet : Army Skydiving Camp
Army Adventure Skydiving Camp was organized at Misamari, Assam from 23 Feb to 07 Mar, to train students and other army personnel in the ‘Accelerated Free Fall’ method. Skydivers and combat free fallers carried out High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) jumps, which are used by Special Forces to carry out silent insertion, deep into enemy territory. Lt Gen Ramesh Halgali DCOAS, undertook his first freefall jump in skydiving.
Army Motor Sports Teams in Desert Storm
As part of army’s continued domination of the Indian motor sports scene, eight teams under the aegis of Directorate General of Military Training, participated in the 10th edition of Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm from 20-25 Feb. The event comprised of traversing 3500 kms of rugged & barren terrain of Gujarat and Rajasthan, including the vast expanses of Rann of Kutch. Competing with corporate teams, Army teams bagged the overall second team position.
Inter Services Football Championship
63rd Inter Services Football Championship was held at 412 Air Force Station from 21 to 25 Feb. The participating teams were Indian Army Red, Indian Army Green, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The Army Red team is now attached with HQ Eastern Command for Training and Administration. The best 30 players from the above four teams were selected to represent Services team, in Santosh Trophy, of which 13 belong to the Army Red team. GOC-in-C, Eastern Command later felicitated the team at Fort William Kolkata on 01 Mar.
Wheelchairs Distributed To Special Children
In a ceremony organised jointly by the Army and Composite Regional Centre (CRC), Srinagar, Family Welfare Organisation, Northern Command presented 25 wheel chairs to special children of Asha School and their parents at Udhampur on 10 Mar. The team from CRC, carried out in-depth testing of the special children and thereafter advised their parents and teachers on each case.
Play School Inaugurated at Caleb Vihar
'White Cubs Play School’ was inaugurated by the Chairperson Family Welfare Organization of White Tiger Division on 22 Feb at Caleb Vihar. This colony is located outside Jhansi city and families staying there have to come to Jhansi even for their basic requirements. To reduce the rigour of travelling on small children, AWWA initiated this project to have a pre-school at their door steps. White Cubs Play School has now come up as a multi faceted institution, where children are taught using multimedia devices in a 'play and learn' manner.
‘Siddhima’ Opens at Port Blair
A project to augment the vocational training and financial independence of families of 108 Mountain Brigade was fructified, when the new building for the Vocational Training Centre was inaugurated by President DWWA, recently. The building comprises of a Meeting Hall (capacity-130 persons), 11 rooms and a kitchen. Christened as ‘Siddhima’, signifying ‘achievements’. This new infrastructure will facilitate conduct of various vocational training courses for families of soldiers posted at the far-flung Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
SADBHAVANA ACTIVITIES
Medical camp organised at Sungri, J&K
Hand-pump installed by a field regiment at a far flung village in Samba, J&K
Blood donation camp, organised by a Rashtriya Rifle Battalion at Talwara, J&K
Medical cum veterinary camp conducted in Fatehgarh, Baramula
Medical & dental camp, organised by a field regiment in Kargil Sector, J&K
Visit of students from Srinagar to Patiala as part of a ‘Watan ki Sair’ Tour
Mashkoh Warriors organized a medical cum blood donation camp at Naugam
Sword Division organised an interaction with special children