Lt Gen. C.K.S. Sabu lays a wreath at the Sukna war memorial

What better way to resume the Army Live column than a report on the Raising Day of Trishakti Corps, the most important day for all the units under it in north Bengal and Sikkim.

The Sukna-based Corps was raised 46 years ago on November 1.

Last Wednesday, the programme began with General-Office-Commanding, Lt Gen. C.K.S. Sabu, VSM, paying tribute at the war memorial in Sukna.

The Corps was first raised as an amphibious unit in Bangalore in 1941 to fight the Japanese in Burma during World War II and was part of the British 14th Army. The Corps was re-raised in 1960 at Shillong by Lt Gen. Umrao Singh. Its role during the war for the liberation of Bangladesh was significant.

Trishakti Corps has also contributed to the ecology of the region and held several adventure activities for the youth. Activities undertaken by the Army Wives’ Welfare Association (AWWA) have not only improved the conditions of the personnel but also the civil populations in the adjoining areas.

The Raising Day celebrations were spread over three days, including cultural programmes, a daredevil display by the ASC Tornadoes (a group of skilled motorcycle despatch riders who tour the country), a band display and beating the retreat and, of course, a barakhana. The celebrations were attended by a large number of serving and retired personnel and their families.

On Wednesday, a “Run for Fun” was also organised at the Sukna cantonment, which was flagged off by Sabu. The objective of the run was to spread the message of peace and prosperity among all.

All officers, junior commissioned officers and jawans of the Corps, along with their families, participated in the event. Sheel Sabu, the president of the AWWA, gave away the prizes.

Infantry Day

The members of the ASC Tornadoes in action

On October 27, army units here celebrated the anniversary of the first military action by the defence forces. It was on that day in 1947 that infantry soldiers of the 1st Sikh Regiment were airlifted to Srinagar to drive away Pakistani intruders. This was the first engagement by the army after Independence in response to the threat to sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

Staring with a memorial service at the war monument in Sukna, the day was followed by a special sainik sammelan, where Brigadier P.S. Chib, Sena Medal, who is the officiating chief of staff, exhorted all ranks to keep abreast with the security environment and maintain high standards.

A barakhana was also held, followed by a social evening, attended by Lt Gen. C.K.S. Sabu.

The day was also observed at the Binnaguri cantonment, where a wreath was laid at the Bogra Memorial by Maj. Gen. D.K. Mehta, general officer-commanding, mountain division. The memorial is a tribute to infantrymen were killed during the capture of Bogra town in former East Pakistan on December 16, 1971.

Last rites

The army has come out with a noble scheme to provide an “assured decent last rites” to its veterans. The army has decided to provide financial and material assistance to bereaved families.

The scheme, ADLR, is financed and executed by station CSD canteens, and details are available at the station headquarters, canteens, the Zilla Sainik Boards and Ex-Servicemen’s Association offices.