Archive for February 18th, 2008

Western Air Command chief to visit city on Wednesday

Monday, February 18th, 2008

Chandigarh: Air Marshal PK Barbora, Air Officer Commanding¿in¿Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command (WAC), Indian Air Force, will arrive in the city on Wednesday on a two-day visit to the Air Force Station here.

During the visit, Barbora would address the personnel of the station besides inspecting various squadrons and flights. He will also interact with the media during his visit and Air Commodore S R K Nair, AOC, 12 Wing Air Force would make a station presentation to WAC Chief.

Arundhati Barbora, president, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA)-Regional, will accompany Barbora. During her stay, Barbora would interact with AFWWA members besides visiting Umeed, the Air Force school.

Born on December 1950 in Shillong, Barbora was commissioned a fighter pilot in June 1970. An experienced flier, Barbora has flown over 3,500 hours and also been a part of the 1971 war. A qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader, Barbora is a graduate of the College of Combat, Moscow.

During his service career, he has had the distinction of being part of the team during formation of the first Jaguar Squadron of the IAF and also inducting the air combat simulator in the IAF, the first of its kind in Asia.
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Taekwondo kid goes international

Monday, February 18th, 2008

Chandigarh: Getting inspiration from the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the young taekwondo player Dhanraj Gautam is keen to follow the footsteps of international wrestlers.

Six-year-old player, who had won a number of gold medals is now all prepared to participate in the upcoming martial arts championship to be held in April in Russia.

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Dhanraj Gautam prepares to participate in the upcoming martial arts championship to be held in Russia. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Having a craze for the game of wrestling, Dhanraj started playing taekwondo but gradually got adapted to the pace and is now keen to make his country proud.

“The reason I took to taekwondo was to be better than the others in fighting, but now I find the game interesting, and decide to pursue it.”

Though, Dhanraj has won a number of championships, but it is the age that matters the most, and it did for Dhanraj too, who could not stop his tears whiling sharing his experience of winning the first gold medal at the age of five.
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