The victorious pipes and drums team at Binnaguri

In the true spirit of adventure and to develop it among troops of the Eastern Command, a 14-member team of the Black Cat division set off on an expedition to Khangchen Gyao peak in North Sikkim.

Lt Gen. Arvind Sharma, AVSM, VSM, ADC, GOC-in-C Eastern Command, handed over the expedition flag to the team on September 17, 2005 in Calcutta amid much fanfare. The team was led by Maj. Sanjay Thapa and Col S.K. Sharma, Commanding Officer of 14 JAK RIF, was the chief coordinator.

The soldiers successfully summited the peak on October 11, 2005 at 12.05 pm and hoisted their national flag.

However, respecting the sentiments of the people of Sikkim, the team did not climb the last few feet of the peak.

Khangchen Gyao (6,889 m), lying in the Dongkhya range, north of Sebula, is one of most challenging of the Himalayan peaks among world adventure destinations. Also known as ?Bearded Hill?, (Khangchen meaning great snow and Gyao beard), the peak is also called Raja, since it is higher than the adjacent Chhomu Yamu peak, which is known as Rani. In 1961, an attempt was reportedly made to scale the peak but there is no written record of the expedition.

There was revelry galore, not only at the army camp but everywhere in Sikkim, as the news of the summit spread. This is the first time that any team has ever hoisted the Tricolour on the peak.

The expedition was finally flagged in by Gen. Arvind Sharma in Calcutta on November 5 at a befitting ceremony that celebrated the great feat by the army mountaineers.

lInfantry Day was celebrated at the Binnaguri cantonment on October 27 in its traditional splendour and glory.

Infantry Day is observed to commemorate the first military action by the Indian Army after Independence. When Jammu and Kashmir was on the verge of being lost to Pakistan, infantry soldiers of 1 Sikh Regiment were airlifted to Srinagar on October 27, 1947. In the next 14 months, the infantry units of the army battled against the Pakistanis in the challenging terrain from Skardu to Naoshera and evicted the raiders. Since then, the saga of valour is being observed every year on that day.

The celebrations started with the wreath-laying ceremony at Bogra Memorial. All infantrymen in the station including, commanding officers of all infantry regiments, formation commanders and the General Officer Commanding of the Mountain Division, Maj. Gen. D.K. Mehta, paid their homage to the soldiers.

It was followed by a Special Sainik Sammelan addressed by General Officer Commanding, Mountain Division, Maj. Gen. Mehta. All military personnel at the station as well as the civilian staff later participated in the bara khana (community meal) which was held at the cantonment.

A cultural programme at the Officers? Institute in the evening concluded the ceremony.

lIn keeping with the welfare activities initiated by the president of Army Wives? Welfare Association (AWWA), Trishakti Corps, a field area families? facility centre was inaugurated by Aswathy Elizabeth Mathew for the welfare of junior commissioned officers and other ranks on October 14.

The centre on Sevoke Road is designed to help those families whose men are away in forward areas. The facilities include a library, a TV room, indoor games, sewing machines and a telephone.

lAn inter-unit pipes and drums band competition was organised at the Binnaguri cantonment on October 18 and 19.

Each of the five bands played various marching as well as retreat tunes including, Kadam kadam baraye ja, Mili jhuli and the Hering Boat songs. The drummers played the Retreat, the Last Post, Bugle March 1 and 2, Officer Call, Dress Call and Dinner Call.

The event ended with a mass presentation of pipes and drums by all the teams. The Assam Battalion won the competition with Garh Rifles Battalion coming a close second.