Know Your Army Mela : Talbehat Military Station
A “Know Your Army Mela” was conducted by the Artillery Brigade, at Talbehat Military Station recently. It aimed at educating the local youth of Talbehat, Jhansi, Lalitpur & adjoining areas about various aspects of the Armed Forces. The main attractions were a Motor Cycle Display by the 'Tornadoes' team of ASC, Free Fall Para Jumps and Para Motor Displays. A Cold Air Balloon from the Army Adventure Wing was also on display. The event was attended by over 30,000 visitors over a span of 4 days.
NCC Republic Day Camp 2012
The showpiece of National Cadet Corps activities is the Republic Day Camp. This year, the camp commenced on 01 Jan and concluded on 28 Jan. Shri Hamid Ansari, the Vice President inaugurated the Camp at Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt on 06 Jan. A contingent of smartly turned out NCC cadets presented a Guard of Honour. The Vice President also visited the Flag Area where he listened to the young cadets briefing him about their respective States and appreciated the social themes displayed. The training philosophy is being revamped, with due focus on development of soft-skills among cadets. NCC strength is being enhanced to 15 Lakhs by inducting more girls and raising new girls battalions. 60% of new units are for rural areas in J&K, and North East Region.
Around 2,000 Cadets, both boys and girls drawn from 17 NCC Directorates covering all the States and Union Territories participated in a number of activities like cultural, National Integration Awareness and Institutional Training Competitions, spread over a month. Mr A K Antony, the Defence Minister, felicitated select NCC cadets who have displayed exemplary courage and devotion to duty, with the Raksha Mantri Padak. On the last day of the camp on 28 Jan, the PM, Dr Manmohan Singh was the Chief Guest.
Army Air Defence Completes Eighteen Years
Corps of Army Air Defence completed Eighteen Years of independent existence as a young, and techno-savvy combat arm on 10 Jan. The Corps is undergoing a major modernisation cum upgradation drive with the induction of new, state of the art weapon systems. Besides its conventional role, Army Air Defence personnel are also actively employed in Counter Insurgency Operations and in aid to civil authority during calamities. The Corps has to its credit three Military Crosses, two Ashok Chakras, four Kirti Chakras, twenty one Vir Chakras, nine Shaurya Chakras and four Battle Honours. The Corps is fully prepared to live up to its motto, "Akashe Shatrun Jahi - Kill the Enemy in the Sky".
248th Army Medical Corps Day Celebrations
Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) celebrated its 248th Corps Day on 01 Jan. At a homage ceremony conducted at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, wreaths were laid by the DGAFMS, DGMS (Army), DGMS (Navy) and DGMS (Air).
This inter service organization provides comprehensive medical care for serving personnel, their families, veterans and their families of the Army, Navy and Air Force, through their respective Medical Directorates. The AFMS also has an enhanced role in extending medical aid to other para-military services like Border Roads and civilians in remote areas. Its services also reach out internationally, in the wake of natural and manmade disasters. It strives to live up to its motto ‘Sarve Santu Niramaya’-‘may all be free from disease’.
Ladakh Scouts Celebrate Losar
Losar, the festival of lights heralding the dawn of Ladakhi New year, was celebrated by the Ladakh Scouts battalion at Chandimandir. A large number of serving and retired regimental officers, JCOs, other Ranks and their families participated. The highlight was a cultural programme presented by the troops, providing a glimpse of the rich Ladakhi Culture.
Ex-Servicemen Rally at Hashimara
Highlighting the theme ‘We care for our Veterans’, an Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rally was organised on 18 Dec at Hashimara Military Station. It was attended by approx 630 ESM and their families from Alipurdwar, Kalchini and Jaigaon blocks. An entertainment program by troops who displayed ‘Lezium’ dance, ‘Malkhamb’ and ‘Khukri’ dance was also organised. Another highlight was felicitation of Veer Nari Smt Mira Rani Nag w/o Late Hav Hari Das Nag, VrC, who had made the supreme sacrifice in the Kargil War. The ESM made full use of facilities provided at ECHS Cell, Grievance Cell and CSD Counter.
Outing for Children of Orphanages
As part of Army’s commitment of supporting humanitarian organizations, it organized a 'Special Outing' for orphanages in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The event, organized on 11 Jan at ‘Nariyal Beach’ of Birchgunj Military Station, comprised of games, painting, quiz competitions and dance, aimed at providing a recreational day out and quality time for the 150 children participating.
With ‘Know Your Army’ & ‘My Nation, My Army’ being the themes of Quiz & Painting Competitions respectively, the event also helped generate awareness about Indian Army amongst the children.
Homage to Hilli Martyrs
The battle for Hilli fought from 22 Nov to 12 Dec 1971, was among the finest battles, fought against a heavily fortified Pakistan location by the Indian troops in 1971. 41st Anniversary of this battle was celebrated by paying homage to the martyrs at Hilli War Memorial. A Guard of Honour was presented by the troops of Hilli Brigade, wreaths were laid and a cultural programme organised.
Army Conducts Free Welding Training at Bhadarwah
The unemployed youth of Bhadarwah area got an opportunity to learn the technical skills of welding through a training capsule. 15 young boys were given hands on experience in welding, using Lathe Machine, Drill Machine and Grinding Machine.
Army Adopts Orphanage at Handwara
Gulistan-E-Banat, an orphanage for 40 girls, run by the J&K Yateem Trust, was recently adopted by the Army. Ladies from the Army units interact regularly to develop a sense of belonging amongst the girls staying there. In a major step towards providing better facilities to the inmates, CIF (Kilo) recently presented a 29” CTV, Washing Machine, Refrigerator, Water Purifying System, Generator Set, Almirahs and stationery and personal items worth Rs 4 lakhs.
Passenger Reservation System Inaugurated at Bandipur
The Army has set up a Passenger Reservation System (PRS) at Bandipur. This facility will benefit close to 10,000 persons and will also reduce the pressure on the PRS located at Srinagar Transit Camp. On the request of the civil administration, its services have also been extended to the locals. The facility was inaugurated on 07 Dec 2011.
Performance by ‘Shwet Ashwa’ at Mongolia
The Motor Cycle Display Team ‘Shwet Ashwa’ of the Corps of Military Police, comprising two Offrs, two JCOs and 40 Jawans performed at Ulaan Bataar, on the occasion of Centenary Celebrations of the Republic of Mongolia. President of Mongolia, Mr Tsakhiagini Elbegdori, Gen VK Singh, COAS and several dignitaries from other nations witnessed the riders who left an indelible imprint on the minds of the Mongolian people and its Armed forces, with a breathtaking display of motor cycle acrobatics.
Advanced Skiing at Gulmarg
With the Army’s assistance, 19 youth of Lolab underwent an advanced snow skiing course at Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM), Gulmarg from 26 Dec 11 to 07 Jan 12. The youth, selected from amongst 30 participants who had earlier undergone the basic skiing course at IISM, underwent extensive training in advanced skills. Army further plans to sponsor the best performers and groom them for National Skiing Championships.
A Welfare Initiative for Women’s Empowerment
A Nursery Teacher’s Training Institute ‘Prerna’, commenced at Bowenpally, Secunderabad on 09 Jan 2012. This institute aims at women’s empowerment through knowledge, by imparting professional qualification in pre primary child education, enabling army ladies to seek career avenues in child education, as also make qualitative enhancement in upbringing of their own children. The first batch at ‘Prerna’ commenced with 55 attendees.