A folk dance being performed during the National Integration and Communal Harmony Week celebrations Para-sailing in progress at Bengdubi

The personnel at the Binnaguri cantonment celebrated the concluding day of the National Integration and Communal Harmony Week amid a colourful cultural programme on November 26. The week was observed in the entire Indian Army from November 19 to 25.

The inaugural lamp of the programme was lit by Namita Mehta, the president of the Army Wives? Welfare Association?s Scimitar wing, who was invited as the chief guest. The AWWA?s Rangpur brigade president as well as all the families residing at the north zone of the cantonment were present at the celebrations.

The programme, held at North Zone Institute, comprised an array of performances including, Marathi, Assamese, Nepali and Chhou dances. Patriotic songs in Hindi, Bengali and Bhojpuri and a short skit about a soldier?s life were also performed.

Attended by more than 400 women, children and officers of all ranks, the event ended with the rendering of Vande Mataram, which brought out the true essence of the occasion.

lAdventure activities have always been an important component of army life. In order to provide an opportunity to the troops of Trishakti Corps, a para-sailing node has recently been established at Bengdubi Military Station under the aegis of Headquarters 111 Sub Area. The skies beckon only the brave, and there is no dearth of such personnel at Trishakti Para-sailing Node, where soaring into the sky will be a round-the-year event.

lHeadquarters 111 Sub Area celebrated its third Raising Day on December 1 at Bengdubi Military Station. The sub area, earlier known as the HQ North Bengal Area, was raised in 1963 and played an active part in the logistic support of the 1971 Bangladesh operation. It was upgraded to HQ Bengal Area during Operation Parakram, after which, it was re-designated as 111 Sub Area.

The celebrations started with a special Sainik Sammelan of the headquarters personnel, led by the Col Gen. Staff, Col. K.P. Chand. The evening programme included a cultural function followed by a dinner at the Bengdubi Service Officers? Institute. Lt Gen. Thomas Mathew, AVSM, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps, was present at the event where the chief host was Brigadier A.K. Garg, Commander 111 Sub Area. A barakhana and pagal gymkhana (games and a fancy dress competition) were also held.

lPreparations are on within the Trishakti Corps for the Vijay Diwas celebrations on December 16, the day in 1971 when the Indian Army defeated the Pakistani Army in East Pakistan. Former servicemen in north Bengal and Sikkim have been invited to the wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial at Sukna.