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| Union minister Ajay Maken with Assam Rifles personnel after the inauguration of Dhai Moorti at Laitkor in Upper Shillong. A Telegraph picture |
Statue immortalises Assam Rifles’ valour
Dhai Moorti, a statue, depicting an Assam Rifles jawan assisting a refugee fleeing from Myanmar ahead of the advancing Japanese forces during World War II, was inaugurated by Union minister of state for home Ajay Maken recently at the Assam Rifles Headquarters at Laitkor, Shillong.
The statue, made of fibreglass, was constructed by a Calcutta-based firm.
During World War II, the Assam Rifles soldiers had provided support to a large number of refugees who were being hunted by the Japanese army. The ill-clad refugees had trekked for months, suffering from various ailments including dysentery, dehydration, malaria and malnutrition while they were being hounded by the Japanese snipers.
According to the paramilitary force officials, the statue conveys the dedicated service of the Assam Rifles soldiers towards society and their commitment towards the nation.
The unveiling of the statue was part of the 175 years of existence of Assam Rifles in the Northeast.
Since its inception in the region, in 1835, Assam Rifles has provided continuous service to the people of the region, even in most inaccessible terrain.
According to Assam Rifles officials, its history is entwined with that of the tribal areas of the Northeast. The force, they feel, has proved it’s mettle in both the World Wars, as well as in the Sino-Indian and Indo-Pak wars.
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| Dhruba Hazarika flags off the rally at Mangaldoi. A Telegraph picture |
Peace tour
Darrang deputy commissioner Dhruba Hazarika flagged off a cycle expedition rally organised by the 65 Field Regiment of the Red Horns division at Mangaldoi at Chapai Nehru Maidan on March 19.
A colourful ceremony was organised at the venue, which was attended by prominent senior citizens, army and paramilitary officers along with the NCC cadets of Mangaldoi College.
The aim of the expedition is to foster the spirit of adventure among troops and to spread the massage of peace, prosperity and communal harmony among the people of the rural areas in Assam.
Commanding officer of the regiment Col Ajit Bora said the cycle expedition was a part of their adventure activities.
Fifteen army jawans, one officer and one junior commissioned officer are taking part in the rally. They, Bora said, would pass through remote villages in Darrang, Udalguri and Sonitpur district, covering a total distance of 600km over a period of nine days.
During this period, the jawans will also make rural youths aware of a career in the army, he added.
Youth watch
A seminar was recently organised by 9 Assam Rifles of headquarters 7 Sector, inspector-general Assam Rifles (North) on the Role of Youth in Nation Building.
Approximately 150 students from Delhi, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland participated in the seminar.
The other topic of discussion was The Role and Contribution of Assam Rifles in the Northeast Region Over the Last 175 Years.
This was followed by a weapon display organised by the battalion.
During the interaction, several students expressed their desire to join the armed forces, impressed as they were by the ethos of Assam Rifles.