Members of the trekking expedition and (Below)) Abha Rath inaugurates Women Empowerment Centre at Kupup

Lt Gen. P.K. Rath, the general-officer-commanding of the Trishakti Corps, has assured the Sikkim government that the army will help the state preserve the rich diversity.

The general called on Sikkim governor Balmiki Prasad Singh and chief minister Pawan Chamling on his first visit to Gangtok last week.

He requested the chief minister to consider an army proposal for allotting additional land and early clearance for the construction of some roads, including the Toong-Chatten road.

Chamling assured him of help to expedite the process.

The chief minister impressed upon Lt Gen. Rath the importance of double-laning the NH31A, connecting Siliguri with Gangtok. The official told Chamling that the highway was essential for the armed forces as well.

lThe president of the Trishakti Army Wives’ Welfare Association, Abha Rath, opened Women Empowerment Centre at Kupup, a far-flung village in Sikkim, amid gaiety.

Anshul Chachra, the president of the Black Cat Army Wives’ Welfare Association, highlighted the significance of the project.

The centre was set up to equip the women of the village with vocational skills like sewing, knitting, computer training, type-writing and also impart them knowledge on health, sanitation and women and child care.

Uma Pradhan, the director of the family welfare in the state health department, R. Ongmu, the advisor in the rural management and development department, Raj Kumar, the officer-in-charge of the Garrison Reserve Engineering Force, Sandeep Chander Prakash, the medical officer of the Sherathang primary health centre and panchayat heads of the villages were present.

The villagers presented a cultural programme. Abha Rath presented gifts to the participants, students of Kupup Primary School and elderly women.

lA 15-day trekking was organised in Sikkim by the Kripan Division.

The team, led by Col Ranjit Singh, comprised two officers, three junior commissioned officers and 14 personnel.

The expedition covered 104km from Yoksum to Dzongri and back.

The trekking gave all participants a taste of adventure in high altitude and an exposure to the history of Sikkim and the beauty of the Himalayas.

lKripan Division Inter Unit Pipe Band Competition was held on October 23 and 24. Seven teams comprising 16 members in each participated in the event. The competition covered individual team performance and mass band display.

The Gallant Thambis of “Shandaar Saat” secured the first position and lifted the trophy. Maj. Gen. Sanjeev Chopra, the general-officer-commanding of the division, appreciated the participants’ enthusiasm and distributed the prizes.