Army’s Rescue Operations in Sikkim
On 18 Sep, an earthquake struck Sikkim, with its epicentre in Mangan area, causing heavy damage to life, property, roads and communication infrastructure. Army contingents in the state, and from adjoining areas of Darjeeling & New Jalpaiguri in Bengal were pressed into action. Nearly 5000 troops, with heavy engineering equipment , helicopters, logistic units for transportation, recovery and medical detachments were launched. Alongwith Border Roads Organisation, Army’s Combat Engineer units worked continuously to clear several roadblocks on NH31. Communication detachments worked day & night to restore telecommunications. Army also established a number of relief camps providing shelter and food to the affected people in North Sikkim, Gangtok, Darjeeling and Kalimpong areas. The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), which reached Siliguri, was provided Army transport and other administrative arrangements.
To augment the relief efforts, Army formations located nearby were also mustered and set in action. Since roads had either caved in or were blocked by landslides, helicopter resources were mobilized, and both Cheetah and Dhruv helicopters were effective at the dawn of 19 Sep. Many daring missions were undertaken towards evacuation of casualties and stranded persons, induction of rescue teams and delivery of relief material. In the first run, 53 casualties were evacuated, 795 stranded persons (including 13 foreigners) airlifted to safe areas, a host of rescue teams inducted & 88 tonnes of relief material delivered in affected areas. “Operation Sahayata” is still in progress in Sikkim.
Flood Relief in Jammu Region
During the recent flash floods in Jammu region on 07 Sep, the Army responded quickly and the local Engineer Regiment’s flood relief columns were activated. Despite bad weather, difficult rocky bed and strong water current, the unit launched two operations at two different locations in Tawi river and saved 06 persons. The swift response by the teams, which conducted 13 rescue missions, saved 67 lives.
Flood Relief in Manipur
Due to excessive rains in the NE Region, a water channel broke near village Khajiri in Manipur due to which water had entered the village. Acting quickly to the request from the Flood Control Department, Imphal and a SOS call from the villagers, a flood relief column from the local SIKH unit responded immediately with relief and rescue stores and the broken water channel was repaired. The unit medical team carried out a medical check up & distributed medicines to check the spread of water borne diseases.
Project Aashray
Delhi Area Accommodation Allotment Software Launched HQ Delhi Area has launched a unique project of placing its accommodation allotment details on a website, Project Aashray, especially tailored for users to know details about accommodation availability. Now one can obtain all information, apply online and forward documents through AWAN, (hard copy, duly signed by the respective Station HQ can follow by post). Aashray offers details on the documents forwarded, their waiting list number, and time to be taken for allotment of accommodation. Station HQ will respond to queries electronically within 48-72 hr. The Project was inaugurated by GOC-in-C Western Command on 28 Jul.
Army Post Awards
Army Post Awards have been instituted to commend excellence in service, team building and spreading financial awareness among troops. For more than 150 years, Army Postal Service has been serving to provide the vital communication link between Jawans and their families. On 25 Aug, Northern Command bagged the Rolling Trophy consecutively for the 4th year, for providing maximum insurance coverage to troops. In addition, the best performing Postal Units and Field Post Offices were given ‘Brig DS Virk’ and ‘Brig OP Raghava’ trophies. Saving Bank trophies were also given to FPOs and Postal Units.
Empowering the State Police Forces
The Rajput Regimental Centre has been entrusted with training Uttar Pradesh and Orissa Police Forces for Anti Naxal Operations. A qualified pool of instructors are imparting training, in weapons and tactics for anti-Naxal operations.
My Earth, My Duty Campaign In Assam
134 Ecological Task Force organized a afforestation drive in Gen Area Gamani High School, Charduar and adjoining areas on 12 Sep The activities included an Environment Awareness Rally by the unit with school children, a drawing competition, a lecture on environment awareness and a ‘plantation drive’, wherein 5000 plants were planted, with active participation of children and staff of Gamani High School. A Medical Camp was also organised.
Specially Abled Students Visit Indian Military Academy
A group of forty Students & three teachers from the National Institute for Visually Handicapped (NIVH), Dehradun, visited the Indian Military Academy. The Institute, christened St Dustans Hostel for War Blinded in 1943, was taken over by the Government in 1950 and renamed as Training Centre for the Adult Blind Men. NIVH envisages integration of the visually challenged into the main stream, affording them comparable quality of life through full participation and equality. The students showed keen interest in the visit & were made to feel the artifacts, by touching them, at the IMA Museum.
New Complex at Taurus Army Boys Hostel Inaugurated
Taurus Army Boys Hostel was established in 1999 for welfare of wards of all ranks of the Army, undergoing graduation, post graduation or vocational courses in Delhi. The hostel has recently been shifted to its new complex, which was inaugurated on 23 Aug. It is now equipped to provide students an ideal environment to pursue studies, without worrying about boarding, lodging, security etc. The hostel has sports facilities and a gymnasium, besides cable TV, internet and a library. It has a capacity of 86 students and maximum duration of stay is three years.
Jat Regimental Centre Goes Green
As part of ‘Van Mahotsav’, members of The Jat Regimental Centre planted 2,000 saplings of different trees, along the newly constructed motor driving track at its training ground. The initiative, based on the theme ‘Each one, plant one’, was taken under the ‘Greening India’ project. GOC, Uttar Bharat Area, also planted a palm sapling and inaugurated the driving track. To promote the drive among the `citizens of tomorrow’, more than 200 children from different schools in the station, including Army School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Shourya School and Asha School, were incorporated.