Officers of Artillery Brigade during the sainik sammelan at the 178th Gunners? Day celebrations of the brigade at Dipatoli Cantonment.

The 623 Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (EME) Battalion celebrated its 62nd anniversary here today.

The battalion provides engineering support for the weapons and equipment of the Indian army. A sainik sammelan was also organised on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Commanding Officer of the battalion, Colonel G.C. Samanta, said with the dynamic approach, the battalion has made phenomenal progress over the years and kept pace with the technological advancements.

He further urged his soldiers to keep up the good job they were doing and aim for success in future.

Many other events such as a special family welfare meet, best house competition and many others were also organised on the occasion.

Puja fervour

The military hospital in Namkum celebrated Durga Puja with full fervour this year.

The hospital conducts the pujas for the entire cantonment. Officers and soldiers of all ranks took part in the puja.

Army officials maintained that, although the pujas were celebrated this time around, the organisers did not include any lavish preparations in comparison to the previous year.

The reason given was that this year?s event was a show of solidarity to all the victims of different natural calamities which have rocked the country recently such as the earthquake, last year?s tsunami and others.

General Officer in Commanding, GOC, Cockerel Division, Major General Dalip Bharadwaj who is the chief patron also visited the pujas.

New colonel

Commandant of the Punjab Regimental Centre, Ramgarh Brigadier Kawaljeet Singh Oberoi has been made the 14th Colonel of the Regiment.

He took over his new appointment during the special Saniik Sammel during the 21st two-yearly convention at the Ramgarh centre recently.

The formal presentation of the stick of the former Brigadier was handed over to Oberoi during the function.

Army officials maintained that the post is given to the senior most officer of the centre.

Gunners? Day

The Artillery Brigade celebrated its 178th Gunners? Day on September 28 at the Dipatoli Cantonment.

The brigade had performed brilliantly during the 1948, 1965, 1971 wars with Pakistan, the recent Kargil war and the 1962 war against China.

The soldiers were told about the glorious past of the brigade on the occasion.

The chief guest during the function was the Commanding Officer of the Brigade, Brigadier S.P. Sharma who urged the soldiers to achieve greater heights in the future and follow on the lines of their glorious past.

Although the General Officer in Commanding GOC, Cockerel division Major General Dalip Bharadwaj was supposed to attend the function, he could not because of prior committments.

His message to the brigade was read out on the occasion.

Celebrations

The Army Welfare Wives Association (AWWA) week was celebrated from August 22-25.

Army officials pointed out that the week is celebrated as the raising day of the AWWA. Various activities were organised on the occasion.

While the army wives took on the catwalk in a fashion show, the jawans of all ranks donated about 100 units of blood at a blood donation camp.

Different competitions like knitting and embroidery were also organised during the week.

An AWWA delegation also visited the military hospital and Guru Nanak hospital to distribute gifts to special children there.

Community lunch and picnics were organised during the week.

The chief guest on these occasion was AWWA president, Renu Bharadwaj.