Kendriya Vidyalaya chairman Brig. J.K. Gagneja addresses the audience at the school?s Annual Day celebrations Brig. A.K. Garg (left), commander, 111 sub-area, with ex-servicemen at Malda

A vocational training centre under the aegis of Army Wives? Welfare Association (AWWA) has been established in Sukna Cantonment. Managed by the 33 Corps Op Sig Regt, the centre runs regular courses on candle-making, tailoring and tie-and-dye, among others, for the wives and children of all ranks.

The courses, which are very popular, are part of an endeavour to create self-reliance and a sense of belonging. The centre encourages the ladies, particularly of other ranks, to explore their creativity and be a part of a team for their own and organisational growth. Aswathy Elizabeth Mathew, the president of the AWWA 33 Corps, visited the vocational centre on April 30. She was briefed on the activities being undertaken at the centre by Archana Moolri, the president of the AWWA 33 Corps Op Sig Regt. Mathew spoke to the ladies and appreciated the effort being put in by them. She was accompanied by Anita Thamburaj, the vice-president, and Lt Col M.N. Rao, SO AWWAQ 33 Corps.

World Health Day 2005 was observed at the Bengdubi Military Station on April 7 and month-long health-related activities carried out under the supervision of Brig. T. Rajaram, commandant, 158 Base Hospital and SEMO Bengdubi.

Lectures were delivered by Lt Col G.C. Mishra, a gynaecologist, Lt Col S. Jain, a paediatrician, Lt Col B.P. Garg and Surg. Lt Cdr S. Dashottar. Topics covered included Nutritional Deficiency Diseases and Common Childhood Infections, Maternal Health ? Pre-natal and Post-natal Care, Preventable Childhood Diseases and Immunisation and Family Planning and Safe Sexual Practices.

A quiz on general health awareness was conducted at the Mountain View auditorium for the benefit of families of serving soldiers. More than 200 families participated. A poster competition was organised for the families and children, for which the topic was Healthy Mother, Healthy Child.

The activities for the World Health Day celebrations ended with the inauguration of a health education exhibition at Mountain View auditorium by Brig. A.K. Garg, commander, 111 Sub-area. He distributed the prizes of appreciation to the winners of the quiz and poster competitions.

Brig. A.K. Garg, commander, 111 sub-area, visited the district headquarters in Malda on April 27. He met the district magistrate, discussed the preparations for the ensuing monsoons and the assistance that the army would provide for flood relief as and when requisitioned.

He also apprised him on the regular medical and canteen facilities extended to the ex-servicemen of Malda district by the 111 sub-area located at Bengdubi, near Siliguri. He also reiterated the modalities of the Ex-servicemen?s Health Scheme, introduced recently in the armed forces, and certain hospitals of Malda district under the process of empanelment. This was meant for the medical care of ex-servicemen residing in the district.

Brig. Garg also met the secretary of the Zilla Sainik Board, Major K.K. Chatterjee, and president of the Indian Ex-servicemen?s League, Malda, Lt Col S.C. Majumdar, to ascertain the well-being of ex-servicemen in the district. He discussed with him the assistance that needed to be provided to them on priority basis. The sub-area commander presented Rs 7,000 to the secretary of the zilla sainik board for the purchase of a refrigerator for the board?s office in Balurghat.

Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sevoke Road, celebrated its 21st Annual Day with a colourful function on April 30. The school?s chairman, Brig. J.K. Gagneja, inaugurated the festivities by lighting a lamp amid the chanting of slokas and the Gayatri Mantra. The school was set up in 1981 and the first batch of CBSE Class XII students passed out in 1992. The school now has about 1,150 students.

Principal H.L. Yadav, after welcoming the chairman and chief guest, presented the annual report of the school. In his address, the principal presented details of the achievements of students in different spheres of activity.

Yadav also announced the scheme to adopt one village in the region and make it 100 per cent literate with the help of the teachers of the institution.

Several programmes were presented by the children, which were appreciated. The Rajasthani, Bihu, and the Bamboo dance of Mizoram received a resounding applause. Selected sections of the programme were telecast by Doordarshan Kendra, Calcutta. The programme was given assistance, and a sense of discipline, through the active participation of scouts and guides in uniform.

Prizes for various disciplines of study and sports were presented to the winners by Sudesh Gagneja, wife of the chairman. Brig. Gagneja expressed pleasure at being able to attend the celebrations. Wishing the school a bright future, he said the institution would be the centre for various new activities in the coming years. In conclusion, the senior-most teacher of the school, S. Pal, gave a vote of thanks.