The Bombay Sappers team with the trophy (below) The python in the custody of forest personnel

A trans-continental car rally was organised by the defence establishment of Malaysia on the occasion of the country’s 50th Independence Day.

A 53-member delegation, led by the Malayasian deputy defence minister, Dato Haji Jainal Abibin, and the chief of Royal Malaysian Air Force, Lt.Gen. Sharn, took part in the rally which started in Capetown in South Africa and concluded in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, the country’s Independence Day.

Before touching Indian soil, the rally passed through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Pakistan.

The rally entered Wagah border in India on August 21. It passed through Delhi, Agra, Allahabad and Dhanbad before reaching north Bengal.

The Indian Army provided hospitality, guidance, medical aid and recovery facilities throughout the route. The Trishakti Corps made the necessary arrangements in Bihar and north Bengal.

An alternate route was marked because of the collapse of the Bailey bridge at Domohona near Raiganj. The participants were guided from Farraka up to a hotel in Siliguri on August 23. The next day, Brigadier S.P.S. Bhalla, the Commander of 111 Sub Area, flagged off the rally after presenting Trishakti Corps mementos to the foreign guests.

The participants, who were travelling in 13 sports utility vehicles, were seen off at the Bengal-Assam border. After night halts at Guwahati and Imphal on August 24 and 25 respectively, the rally finally left India for Myanmar at Moreh in Manipur on August 26.

School Journey

An inter-army school cluster basketball tournament was organised by the Trishakti Corps from August 16 to 18, keeping in mind the principle of “a healthy mind in a healthy body”.

The meet was meant for the boys and girls of the army schools in the region including Binnaguri, Darjeeling, Bagrakot, Bengdubi and Sukna. In a keenly contested final on August 18, Army School Bengdubi defeated Army School Sukna by a solitary basket.

Aquatic meet

The Trishakti Corps’ Kripan Division held the formation aquatic championship on August 20. The Bombay Sappers Engineer Regiment, which was ahead of other teams by more than a hundred points, won the championship.

At present, the team is preparing for the coming Eastern Command Swimming Championship to be held in Calcutta next month.

Python rehab

The Trishakti Corps’ Information Warriors recently discovered a 10ft-long python in their residential area.

They informed forest officials and rendered necessary assistance to facilitate the capture of the animal. The python was rehabilitated in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Raising day

The Nimble Ninth Regiment of the Trishakti Corps celebrated its 27th Raising Day in a colourful manner. The ceremony began with wreath laying and flag hoisting.

As the Assam Regiment comprises each and every tribe of the Northeast, it showcased “unity in diversity” through a series of tribal dances.

Besides, singing of Vande Mataram, a Barakhana and a Pagal Gymkhana were also organised.