Sunita Dahat, visiting faculty member from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai, gives a presentation on ?Education Avenues? to parents, teachers and students of Army School and KV No-1, Tezpur Army personnel distribute medicines to local patients at a medical camp held at Rangapara College

Educational Avenues, an innovative initiative by Neeru Chhabra, President AWWA, Gajraj Corps, was organised at the Gajraj Auditorium, Tezpur recently.

Sunita Dahat, visiting faculty member from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai, gave an inspiring presentation on the topic to parents, teachers and students of Army School and Kendriya Vidyalaya number 1, Tezpur.

Dahat highlighted the population growth, literacy rate, structure of education, disparities between private, public and government sectors in metro and non-metro towns in India. She also discussed various types of pressures, anxieties and tensions that an adolescent goes through today and suggested solutions.

Career counselling initiatives in information technology, various educational streams, non-conventional career options, advanced vocational training and self-employment schemes were also made known to the students.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session wherein Dahat cleared the doubts put forward by the students.

Dahat is married to Brig. S.S. Dahat, chief Signal officer of Gajraj Corps.

The presentation was followed by a lecture on Art of Living by Col Rajinder Kumar. He emphasised an early decision regarding a career to avoid disappointments at a later stage in life. He also explained in simple terms the need to recognise and accept one?s shortcomings, options and potential to take on a challenge.

Kids? day out

The engineering regiment of Red Horns division at Changsari has been a frontrunner in the army?s efforts to win the hearts and minds of the local populace.

The regiment recently organised an excursion to Ghorkhya Temple in Solmara village of Barpeta district. Around 50 students and 20 teachers of Sankar Dev High School in Maniari village also joined the army men.

During the excursion, the regiment also organised a friendly volleyball match, dance, anthakshari contest and some cultural events. They also visited Krishna temple and a fishery farm. The excursion team also received a warm welcome from the local population.

A bold choice

Adding impetus to the ongoing peace process in Assam, two hardcore terrorists, self-styled ?corporal? Kolam Singh Engti and Babu Ram Teron of KLNLF voluntarily surrendered and parted with two 9m pistols and four rounds of ammunition before Colonel Niranjan Kumar, commanding officer, 11 battalion, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

They were later handed over to the police. Deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Karbi Anglong were also present on the occasion. The duo was involved in extortion, kidnapping, recruitment and ethnic cleansing besides acting against security forces.

It is believed that infighting within the terrorist organisations, uncertainty of future, family pressure and faith on the army has led to the surrender.

The development just before the formation of state government in Assam assumes great significance for the return of more misguided youths to the mainstream.

Bravehearts

Brig. Kanwaljit Singh, commander of Tamulpur Brigade, recently felicitated Rituparna Boro and Ratul Rabha, both students of Pantan High School, Chhaygaon, who bagged the National Bravery Award, 2005.

Rituparna and Ratul received the award for displaying indomitable courage by chasing two armed Ulfa members, who tried to flee after murdering a teacher of Pantan High School.

Brig. Singh praised the bravery the duo displayed at such a young age.

Leaders? meet

The two-day commander?s conference of the Indian Air Force (IAF) ended on May 18 with focus on upgrading the existing infrastructure and modernisation of the communication systems.

Chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi attended the conclave that was held at the Eastern Air Command headquarters in upper Shillong.

At the conference, the air chief emphasised the need to improve infrastructure of the IAF, especially in the eastern sector. The need to upgrade the existing facilities at the Tezpur fighter air base and the helicopter base at Dibrugarh were also discussed.

Interacting with media later, Air Chief Marshal Tyagi said he has discussed the matter with the head of Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal F.M. Major and other senior officers of the force. Other issues that came up for discussion included operations, maintenance and administration, he said.

Sources said ?a plan of action? was drawn up for a phasewise improvement of the existing infrastructure of the air bases ? both fighter and cargo ones that the IAF has in the eastern sector.

They said there was consensus on the decision to upgrade the helipad at upper Shillong, the only advanced landing ground of IAF and civil choppers in the area.

Malaria camp

With a view to counter the spread of malaria in the area, 16 Dogra and 321 Field Ambulance organised a malaria screening camp at Domri and Shimla villages recently. Around 3,600 villagers were screened for the disease and blood tests were conducted on suspected cases. Of these, 28 cases were found positive and referred to local civil hospital after radical treatment.

With administrative backing from Chindits Brigade of the Red Horns division, the 155 Base Hospital recently organised a free medical-cum-veterinary camp at Rangapara College, Rangapara (Sonitpur). Commandant of the Base Hospital Brig. S. Venkataramani inaugurated the camp in the presence of local army authorities, civil dignitaries, additional deputy commissioner and additional SP of Sonitpur and a large gathering of local residents.

Around 1,477 patients were treated for prevalent diseases, ENT, dental and other children and women-related disorders. Free medicines were distributed to the needy. The patients were also provided with free lunch by the army.

Twelve army and four civilian doctors attended the patients at the camp. A laboratory was also set up for essential medical tests.

The medical camp was a grand success and evoked encouraging response from the people.

The camp, while meeting the medical needs of the people, provided an excellent opportunity to present the humane face of the army and interact with the people of the region.

All types of cattle were treated in the veterinary camp.