Namita Mehta, president, AWWA, 20 Mountain Division, gives away a prize to one of the baby winners

The military and civilian staff of Binnaguri Cantonment on December 16, 2005 paid tribute to the heroes of 20 Mountain Division who died during the capture of Bogra town on the day in 1971 in erstwhile East Pakistan.

Bogra was the district headquarters and a cantonment town and formed the last defensive line between Dhaka and the Indian Army. Bogra fell to the determined soldiers of Scimitar Division on December 16, 1971. On December 18, 1971, Maj. Gen. Nazar Hussain Shah, GOC 16, Infantry Division, Pakistan Army, along with his troops, surrendered before Maj. Gen. Lachman Singh Lehl, PVSM, VrC, then GOC, 20 Mountain Division.

A solemn wreath-laying ceremony, presided over by Maj. Gen. D.K. Mehta, GOC 20 Mountain Division, was organised at the Binnaguri Bogra War Memorial. All ranks of the station attended the programme. In the evening, candles were lit at the memorial.

lThe finals of a healthy baby show were organised on December 13, 2005 under the aegis of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), 20 Mountain Division, at the environmental park in Binnaguri Cantonment.

The preliminary rounds of the show took place from December 1 to 10, when all units of the station organised competitions in their respective units.

The participants were divided into two age groups: below one years and between one and three years. The criteria for selection included height, weight, immunity and health status and appearance. A team, headed by Namita Mehta, president, AWWA, 20 Mountain Division, adjudged the winners. Mehta later handed over the prizes to the winners as well as other participants.

lOn December 14 and 15, Aswathy Elizabeth Mathew, president, AWWA, 33 Corps, and other AWWA members, presented clothes, linen, toiletries and toys to Shishu Bhavan, Siliguri, and Nav Jeevan Hospital, Bengdubi.

lThe Trishakti Corps is organising a major exhibition of army weapons and equipment in Siliguri on January 7 and 8. The display, Know Your Army, will be held at Indira Gandhi Ground on NH 31A.

During the display one will get a rare opportunity to see the latest and the best of Indian Army weapons and equipment.

The army has also made arrangements for free bus rides from New Jalpaiguri railway station, Bagdogra and other important locations in Siliguri to ferry people to the venue.