Ex-servicemen rally at Tamulpur

The Red Horns division of the army organised an ex-servicemen’s rally at Tamulpur to commemorate the army’s Year of the Veteran.

The rally was attended by ex-servicemen, war widows (veer naris) and war-disabled persons from Assam. The general officer commanding of Red Horns division, Maj. Gen. R.N. Nair presided over the function.

Addressing the rally, Gen. Nair spoke about the efforts being undertaken by the army for re-employment of retired soldiers, bringing out information of Defence Security Corp’s expansion and assistance for re-employment facilitated by the Army Welfare Placement Organisation.

He urged ex-servicemen to take maximum benefit from the rally since it was organised with the basic aim of resolving their problems and to keeping them abreast with the recent welfare schemes and policies being implemented by government agencies.

Gen. Nair stressed that these rallies are a way of expressing the government’s and the defence forces’ genuine concern for ex-servicemen who had devoted the prime of their lives in serving the nation.

The army recruitment office, principal controller of defence accounts, the ex-servicemen’s clinical health scheme and the District Sainik Welfare Board had set up their counters for “on the spot” redressal of grievances and make the ex-servicemen and their dependents aware of the welfare schemes and benefits available to them.

Veterans, veer naris and differently-abled wards of ex-servicemen were felicitated during the rally for their positive attitude.

The deputy commissioners of Baksa, Barpeta, Goalpara, Nalbari and Kamrup also attended the programme. A medical camp with a mobile laboratory, ECG, Xray, dental care, dispensary and medical officers were also set up at the venue.

The army pipe band performed at a cultural programme organised on the occasion, according to defence PRO Lt Col S.S. Phogat.

NCC official visits Guwahati camp

Maj. Gen. Rajiv Verma, additional director-general of the directorate of National Cadet Corps, visited the annual training camp of the 1st Assam Battalion, NCC at Sarusajai stadium in Guwahati recently. During the visit, Col Rahul Bali, the group commander of NCC, Guwahati, briefed him about the activities of the cadets.

Gen. Verma recalled that chief minister Tarun Gogoi was also an NCC cadet of the 1st Assam Battalion and had appreciated the extensive assistance being provided in terms of financial and allied material benefits. The officer announced that permanent infrastructure for NCC activities have come up on land allotted by the government in Punjab and similar steps had been initiated in Jammu and Kashmir. He was hopeful that similar infrastructure would come up in Assam too.

Defence PRO Col Phogat said in a statement that the general appreciated the efforts put in by the cadets from all the school and colleges in and around Guwahati. He mentioned the high standards achieved by the cadets during the Republic Day camp in January every year. He also noted the performance of the cadets in undertaking social responsibilities.

Focus on health tech

The Tezpur-based Defence Research Laboratory organised a national conference on Recent Developments in Health, Hygiene and Environment, with special emphasis on the challenges of troops in Northeast.

S. Sundaresh, a scientist and chief controller, research and development (armament & combat engineering and service interaction), Defence Research and Development Organisation, was the chief guest at the event, which was attended by officials from the army, air force and the defence laboratory.

The main area of discussion was biomass and waste management technologies for health and hygiene, medical entomology with special emphasis on detection and control of malaria and dengue.

It also focussed on disease prevention through herbal formulations, molecular and bio-technological approaches.

The other areas discussed include current trends in natural product chemistry for well-being and pharmaceutical applications, water purification techniques and removal of contaminants.

A series of talks and interactive sessions also took place during the programme.

Lokendra Singh, Brig. A. Bhargava and S. Sundaresh in their speeches highlighted the requirements and the need for proper hygiene and health and a clean environment and their increased importance. The disposal of waste and recycling was also discussed at length.

The DRDO, which started functioning in 1962, celebrated its go lden jubilee this year. “The defence research laboratory has also worked in the area of poultry, fisheries, piggery, agriculture and mushroom. Various research institutions, colleges and universities have close interactions with us for sharing knowledge, expertise and lab facilities to achieve our objective,” an official statement said.

Trapped passengers rescued

A quick response team of Assam Rifles carried out a rescue mission to save trapped passengers of a Nagaland state transport bus carrying 35 persons. It had overturned near Jharnapani in Nagaland on November 8.

The accident took place around 12.15pm while the bus was negotiating a sharp turn and a man suddenly appeared in front of the vehicle.

The driver of the bus, in trying to save the man’s life, lost control and this led the bus to overturn.

A passenger died on the spot while many sustained injuries.

On receipt of information, a 20 Assam Rifles quick response team immediately reached the site along with a medical officer and an ambulance.

The troops immediately controlled the situation by coordinating traffic, rescuing the trapped passengers and providing first aid to the injured.

Those with major injuries were brought to the 20 Assam Rifles unit hospital and given treatment.

“This effort by the security forces is a true example of the dedication of Assam Rifles towards the well-being of people and their commitment towards duty. It is efforts like these that prove Assam Rifles are ‘the friends of hill people’,” an Assam Rifles statement said.

Excursion to Moreh

The 42 Assam Rifles of Sector 26 organised a daylong excursion on November 17 to Moreh for 40 students and 20 teachers of Oriental Academy located at Chandel in Manipur.

The commandant of the 42 Assam Rifles flagged off the tour, which was aimed at enriching the students’ knowledge about the culture and geography of the state, an Assam Rifles statement said. The children were also offered meals and refreshment during the tour.

The school authorities expressed their gratitude to the team for the tour.