The powered hang-gliding team before the flag off

Air force takes youths on a high

The Eastern Air Command headquarters in Shillong organised a powered hang-glider expedition of the Northeast as part of its golden jubilee celebrations this month.

The expedition, flagged off from Air Force Station, Bagdogra on November 6, covered Hasimara, Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Chabua, Mohanbari, Dinjan, Dimapur and Silchar (Kumbhi Gram) before landing in Shillong on Thursday.

It aims at infusing the spirit of adventure and sportsmanship in the youths of the Northeast and motivate them to join the air force by providing training in paragliding.

The expedition was led by avid aero sportsman Squadron Leader Ramakant and his co-pilot Sergeant M.L. Yadav from Air Force Station, Bagdogra.

Squadron Leader Ramakant is a qualified instructor on powered hang-glider, paramotor, paragliding and parasailing. He was a member of the air force’s first expedition to Mount Everest in 2005 and has explored, developed and tested various paragliding sites in West Bengal (Rohini near Siliguri), Sikkim (Jorthang) and Shillong for its promotion.

He also holds two national records in powered hang-gliding and was conferred this year’s Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.

The two teams after the volleyball match

Friendly match

Youth Organisation of Makhel and 22 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) participated in a friendly volleyball match at Makhel village on November 10.

Many turned up to enjoy the match. The Assam Rifles team won. The people of the locality lavished praise on the Assam Rifles for forging stronger bonds and extending mutual trust.

The unit also gifted volleyballs to the Makhel team at the end of the match.

New church

The inauguration ceremony of the church at T. Sijang village on November 7 was a grand event. The Assam Rifles lived up to its reputation of the “friends of the hill people” as 8 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under Headquarters Inspector-General of Assam Rifles (South) provided various materials to the church.

Col Ravinder Kumar, commandant, who was the chief guest, urged everybody to work for peace and development of villages in Sajik Valley in Manipur. On their part, the villagers of Sajik Valley appreciated the co-operation and helping hand extended by Assam Rifles.