Armed Foces

Gen JJ Singh, Chief of the Army Staff visited Madras Engineer Group and Centre in Bangalore recently. He was conducted around the Centre by Lt Gen KS Rao, Colonel Commandant of the Madras Sappers and Brig RM Mittal, Commandant MEG & Centre. The General was given an overview of the outstanding and immense contribution of the Madras Sappers to the nation in war and peace, nation-building and sports. He was also shown a state-of-the-art Improvised Explosive Device (IED) model room where a working model of the latest Glasgow airport bombing has been displayed. The General evinced keen interest in the technologically advanced workshop training area.

Army Chief at the MEG & centre

A ceremonial passing-Out parade was held at the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre (GRRC), Lucknow Cantonment. Col DS Rupaal, Officiating Commandant of 11 GRRC reviewed the parade wherein 34 recruits, on completion of their training, were inducted as full-fledged soldiers of the Gorkha Rifles.

Rifleman Puran Bahadur Limbu was adjudged 'Best in Drill' whereas Rifleman Ram Bahadur Karki was adjudged 'Best in Weapons Training'. Similarly, Rifleman Ram Bahadur Rai was adjudged 'Best in Individual Physical Efficiency Test' (IPET), Rifleman Surendra Shrestha was adjudged 'Best in Sports' and Rifleman Bharat Rai was adjudged 'Best in Theory'.

Lt Gen K S Rao, Director General of Border Roads Organistation (BRO) visited Bhonsala Military School, Nagpur recently. He was received by Mr N M. Ghatate, President CHMES, Nashik, Col A B Gurung, Commandant and other members of the management committee of the school. He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour by the smartly turned-out students with pipe band and contingent of mounted guards.

During the visit, the General Officer inspected the academic block, students' residential area and military training area. He witnessed a superb show of commando obstacle crossing and dare devil feasts displayed by the students. A documentary highlighting the projects and works of BRO was also shown on the occasion. He also visited school swimming pool and was highly impressed by the breathtaking view of swimming pool of Olympic standards which is one of its kind existing in the region.

Lt Gen K S Rao inspecting the guard of honour

Gen JJ Singh, Chief of the Army Staff inaugurated the new campus of Army Institute of Hotel Management (AIHM) and Catering Technology in Bangalore.

The new campus at Hennur is built on 12 acres of land. It is a residential campus comprising state- of-the-art facilities for imparting quality education in the hospitality industry. The campus, built at a cost of Rs 20 crore, is spacious and set in pristine surroundings. The AIHM & CT trains students for absorption in the hospitality industry after a four- year degree course. The Institute was established in 1996 and was temporarily housed within the premises of the Army Service Corps Centre (South), Bangalore.

Gen JJ Singh observing the model of new campus

All Chief Administrative Officers under Central Air Command assembled at Central Air Command, Bamrauli to discuss vital issues related to administration of respective units. Air Marshal S Mukerji, Senior Air Staff Officer of the Central Air-Command inaugurated the two-day conference. In his address, Air Marshal Mukerji said that the conference was conducted to appreciate the problems faced at field units and find solutions by interactive sessions. He expressed the concern regarding cases related to road traffic accidents and suicides. He said that the safety of personnel was important, hence discipline while driving must be ensured.

The participants of the conference (left) Air Marshal Mukerji addressing the Conference

To keep the Associate NCC Officers (ANOs) abreast of the latest changes being introduced by the NCC, a day-long annual seminar was held at Sainik School in Sarojani Nagar, as part of the ongoing Combined Annual Training Camp being held under the aegis of Group Headquarters, Lucknow.

On this occasion, Brig AK Pathak, Deputy Director General UP NCC and Col KPS Khati, Group Commander, NCC Group Lucknow spoke on way to make the youth able citizens of today and worthy leaders of tomorrow.

Brig A K Pathak with ANOs

A state-of-the-art 40-slice Multi Detector CT scan was inaugurated at Military Hospital, Namkum recently. The function was presided over by Mrs Manju Singh, President Cockerel Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) and Maj Gen AK Singh, General Officer Commanding, Cockerel Division.

The CT scan marks a new milestone in the history of this 775- bed hospital. While addressing the audience, Brig P Krishnamurthi, Commandant of the hospital informed that this was the most advanced CT scan machine available at Ranchi as it required a very short scan time thus avoiding delays in diagnosis & treatment of patients specially those who were critically ill or were trauma patients. This scan is also very useful in the study of blood vessels including those of the heart as it gives excellent three dimensional (3D) images. On this momentous occasion large number of officers of Ranchi, Dipatoli and Namkum garrison were present along with their millies.

Mrs Manju Singh inaugurating the new facility

A free service mela was organised at the Station Workshop in Lucknow Cantonment for defence vehicles of the station. The free services included general maintenance of the engines, inspection of gear box, checking and maintenance of electric parts and, most importantly, pollution check for all the vehicles. A large number of defence vehicles availed of this opportunity.

The mela was inaugurated by Col Anurag Kumar, Commanding Officer, Station Workshop, Lucknow who expressed hope that such melas would go a long way in decreasing car emissions, thereby helping to keep air pollution in check. He also informed the gathering that viewing the overwhelming response, similar melas would also be organised for other vehicles of the station.

Checking of engines in progress at mela

DAH Mountain Division identified medicare and women empowerment as the key areas for the general upliftment. The villages on the LC fence and in its close proximity were surveyed. Sariya village on the borders in Naushera tehsil was selected for training women members of Village Defence Committee.

A systematic capsule was conducted in which 27 ladies participated. Women were trained for observing unusual and suspicious persons and movements. They were also trained in handling personal firearms, specially the ones used by the terrorists. The training culminated with a live firing of rifles.

A view of the training

A declamation contest was organised at Gandhi Nagar by AFWWA (R), HQ South-Western Air Command (SWAC). The children of all Air Force Schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharastra participated. The contest started with the lighting of lamp by Air Vice Marshal M John, SOA, HQ SWAC. Master Nishant Ghosh and Miss Neha Pandey, both of Air Force Station Jamnagar, stood first in English and Hindi contests respectively.

The children emphasised on saving the beauty of Nature and called on the citizens not to cut trees but to save them for a better tomorrow. They also showed great concern for global warming and climate change which is affecting India.

The winner of the contest receiving the trophy

A blood donation camp was organised at the Station Medicare Centre at HQ Maintenance Command, Vayusena Nagar, Nagpur in coordination with Jeevan Jyoti Blood Bank and Hospital under the aegis of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA).

Mrs Uma Apte, President, AFWWA (Regional), Headquarters Maintenance Command, inaugurated the blood donation camp by lighting the traditional lamp. Air Marshal JS Apte, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command was the first to donate the blood. Other donors comprised Air Warriors of all ranks and trades along with their family members.

Air Marshal JS Apte donating blood at the camp while Mrs Uma Apte looks on

Six Mountain Artillery Brigade distributed sweets, stationery, towels and food items to the physically challenged children at Destitute and Orphanege Centre, Rishikesh.

Mrs Renu Johri, President, AWWA, 6 Mountain Artillery Brigade and Mrs Gulmohan Kaur, alongwith other ladies of 11 Field Regiment donated items to approximately 100 children. Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Renu Johri said that the Army is going beyond the realms of duties to help the needy.

The Director of the centre, Mr VS Chaudhary said that the children and the school management were grateful for the affection displayed by the Army.

Mrs Renu Johri distributing books

A basketball exhibition match was played between Commandant's team and Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor's team at the new basketball ground of Army Medical Corps (AMC) Sports Complex, Lucknow Cantonment.

The match saw the Commandant's team emerge winners while Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor's team was declared the runners-up.

The match which was witnessed by all officers of AMC Centre & School saw a highly motivated performance by the team members. Lt Gen GS Misra, Commandant, AMC Centre and School, who is also Officer-in-Charge,Records and Colonel Commandant was the chief guest. He gave away the prizes to the winners.

Lt Gen GS Mishra with the winning team

The Captains Cup Golf Tournament 2007 was conducted at Anurakshan Kamaan Sports Complex, Vayusena Nagar, Nagpur.

All members of Anurakshan Kamaan Sports Complex and serving officers of Garuda Golf Institute, Kamptee participated in the tournament. A total of 60 players took part in the competition. Wg Cdr RZ Qureshi of HQ Maintenance Command, IAF emerged as the winner of the tournament.

At the end of tournament prizes were given away by Air Marshal JS Apte, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, IAF.

Wg Cdr RZ Qureshi recieving the trophy

Maj Gen VK Datta has assumed charge of Additional Director General, Territorial Army. The General Officer was commissioned in the 2nd Battalion of 1st Gorkha Rifles on March 15, 1970 and has a vast experience in Special Commando Operations and Counter Terrorist Operations. He was instrumental in raising NSG and later commanded the 51 SAG (Black Cat Commandos) of the NSG. The General has held many prestigious appointments in Command and Staff. He is an alumnus of the National Defence College.

Group Capt Anil Handa assumed the command of 54, Air Stores Park (ASP). Commissioned in the flying branch of IAF in December 1977, he has been responsible for the material management of IAF inventory at various premier air bases like Ambala, Jamnagar, Pune, Sarsawa and AFA. Having specialized in explosive management, he has held key appointments in the IAF main explosive depots. He is an alumnus of DSSC, Wellington and CDM, Secunderabad.