IT Chandigarh

Chandigarh:

EVOLUTION

During the early eighteenth century, the Gorkhas from Nepal had extended their empire into Kumaon, Garhwal and Kangra Hills. This led to a confrontation with the British East India Company, resulting in the Gorkha War of 1815. General Ochterlony was a witness to the highly skillful defensive battle fought with extreme bravery by the Gorkhas under General Amar Singh Thapa which ended with the siege of the historic ‘Malaun Fort’ located near Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh.

Impressed by the fighting qualities of the Gorkhas, the East India Company offered to raise a Gorkha Regiment from the remnants of Amar Singh Thapa’s Army after the Treaty of Sigauli. Thus, the First Nusseree (meaning friendly or loyal) Battalion came into being on 24 April 1815 at Subathu in Shimla Hills, the present home of the 14 Gorkha Training Centre. The Second Battalion was raised on 19 Feb 1886.
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Panchkula: Tributes were paid to Captain Rohit Kaushal on his 12th martyrdom day at his ancestral village, Jalauli, in Panchkula here on Sunday. Captain Kaushal had sacrificed his life in an encounter with Afghan militants in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on November 11, 1995. He was honoured posthumously with the Sena Medal by the Government of India.

A large number of army officers and civilians gathered at his memorial to pay homage to the martyr. The jawans of the 18 Punjab Battalion presented a guard of honour and Brig N.K. Mishra, station commander, laid wreaths along with officers and jawans of 2 Sikh Regiment. A large number of people from the neighbouring villages came to pay homage.

Source: TNS

Fauji Beat

One cannot recall another event from military history where an Army was caught so unawares as the (still being formed) new Indian Army in October 1947. This event was the creation of Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, who after dilly-dallying for two months, signed the Instrument of Accession to India on October 26, thus opening the door for the entry of Indian troops into Kashmir to push out the tribals, backed by the Pakistani army, who were advancing towards Srinagar.

Though I Sikh was hurriedly airlifted from Delhi to Srinagar on October 27, to save the Srinagar airfield, one of its companies had to be formed with Sikh gunners from 13 Field Regiment and 2 Field Regiment (self propelled). This was the first occasion when artillery fought as infantry after the Independence. The 3.7inch Howitzers of Patiala State followed thereafter, but without dial sights and they had to fire through open sights.

After two crucial battles of Green Hill and Badgam, threat to Srinagar airfield receded. By then, reinforcements started arriving and by November 7, Srinagar had been secured. This was the first time that an offensive was led by the Indian officers at the battalion commanders’ level.

This was also the first time that armoured cars had operated at a height of 3,529 mts at the Zojila Pass and the aircraft had landed at a height of 3,353 mts at the Leh. Officers though lacked in experience at higher command level led the troops credibly.

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Chandigarh: At the community centre in Manimajra, hundreds of working slum children are scripting a new story of empowerment. At the heart of this story is a little gel and lots of light. The results are bright and feisty - in line with the festival season.

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It is another matter that the lives of these children are not bright as the gel candles they are making these days. Engaged in a range of tough jobs - from fixing nets and blots, picking rags to working as domestics - they are desperate for value addition to their skills. This, they feel, will enhance their income and bring some joy to their lives this Diwali.

Powering the exercise on the children’s behalf are the managers of Youth Technical Training Society’s (YTTS) working children’s project. They are running a few vocational training courses in cookery, beauty culture, embroidery and stitching for these children. As many as 90 per cent of the working children covered by the project are girls; hence courses that suit girls better.

“But we were keen to raise the level of vocational courses. Old courses are good but not good enough to imbue these children with confidence. So we decided to hold a workshop of gel candle making. We got an expert manufacturer from Yamunanagar and arranged the logistics. Close to 50 children got trained and they are now ready with beautiful candles which will be put up for sale ahead of Diwali,” Col Ravi Bedi (retd) of the YTTS told The Tribune.

The candles prepared are beautiful; they mirror the hidden talents of children and reflect their aspirations.
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Chandigarh: The Corps of Military Intelligence celebrated its 65th anniversary with traditional pomp and gaiety at the Western Command headquarters, Chandi Mandir, today.

GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt-Gen Tej Kumar Sapru, was the chief guest on the occasion.

He extended his greetings to all officers, JCOs, and other ranks and urged them to continue to work with dedication, zeal, enthusiasm and alacrity in line with the traditions of the corps. He emphasised the need to keep pace with technology.

Source: TNS

Infantry Day

Chandigarh: Infantry Day was observed at Western Command headquarters today, with officers and troops paying homage to their comrade-in-arms who had made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

A solemn wreath laying ceremony was organised at the Veer Smriti War Memorial in Chandi Mandir where floral tributes were paid to those who fell in battle.

It was on this day in 1947 that the first Indian soldiers (1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment) landed at Srinagar to defend the country against the onslaught of Pakistan-backed raiders. Since then, October 27 is observed the Infantry Day every year.

Known as “The Queen of the Battle”, Infantry is the largest component and the premier fighting arm of the Army. Valiant and intrepid, the “Foot Soldiers” have kept alive the rich traditions inherited by them over generations.

A special sainik sammelan, addressed by Chief of Staff Western Command, Lieut-Gen A.N. Aul, and a barakhana for troops were other events organised to mark the occasion. A social evening was organised at the Shivalik Officers Institute, Chandi Mandir, where serving Infantry officers got an opportunity to interact with their predecessors, the Infantry Veterans, living in and around Chandigarh.

Source: TNS

In keeping with the times Ramlila, the popular dance-drama based on the life and times of mythological hero Lord Ram, has undergone a makeover.

A Ramlila in Sector 17, Chandigarh has not only gone hi-tech on the stage but also has hired a publicity firm to make it better known. The Ramlila is performed on three adjoining stages. It enables the organisers to show a scene on one stage and move to the next stage without any halt for a set change, with audiovisual modes and special effects pepping up the show.

This year, the Ramlila even had pre-recorded dialogues and songs, complete with background score and effects. The four-way sound system - with speakers costing Rs 350, 000 each - enabled the audience to catch every dialogue.

“The message of Ramlila is very important and it should be experienced, especially by children. To woo the audiences, we have made some dramatic improvements through the judicious use of technology while maintaining the originality and sacredness of the epic,” said Suresh Bakshi, the director.

The special efforts are showing results.

“The parking lots outside the Ramlila are packed with Mercedes, Hondas, Corollas and Optras. We have been able to achieve our goal,” said Bakshi with satisfaction.
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Chandigarh: It Was a day of colourful processions in Chandigarh — Dussehra was publicly celebrated at 38 places, with the main functions held at Parade Ground Sector 17, Manimajra and sectors 46 and 24. These venues saw thousands flocking to see the effigies of Ravana set afire as a symbol of the good (in the form of Ram) vanquishing the forces of the evil.

The various Ramleela committees, responsible for conducting the celebrations in their area, had come up with many new ideas for the effigies this time. If there was a Ram Sethu in Sector 46, there was Ravana riding a horse-driven chariot in Sector 17 — all to make people throng to their Dussehra celebration. The celebrations in Sector 24 had an interesting turn of events in store for the spectators. The evening saw Jaspal Bhatti and his troupe come to the rescue of Ravana in the form of an ‘Adhami Sena’.

While Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Vijender Kumar Jain was the chief guest at the Dussehra celebrations in Sector 46, UT Home Secretary Krishan Mohan was the chief guest at Parade Ground. Resident Editor of The Indian Express, Vipin Pubby was the chief guest at the Sector 24 function which was presided over by Jaspal Bhatti.

Source: ENS

Panchkula: The students of Gurukul, Sector 20, pledged to get rid of atleast one bad habit each on the festival of Dussehra. They wrote their ‘vow’ on a piece of paper, stuffed them into the effigy of Ravana and burnt them along with it.

The underlying message of ‘Dussehra’ - victory of good over evil - is impressed upon the Gurukulites in this manner every year.

This unique way of Dussehra celebration was highly appreciated by chief guest of the day R.K. Kataria, deputy commissioner.

A cultural programme was also put up by the students on the occasion.

Beginning on an auspicious note, students presented a ‘fusion dance’, wherein ‘Ganesh Vandana’ was performed. Tiny tots presented a foot-tapping item on the very popular ‘Hanuman song’ highlighting the pranks of ‘bal Hanuman’. A solo performance by Saksham Bhardwaj of Class I, who enacted the role of ‘Bharat’, Lord Ram’s brother, was the show stealer.

The programme concluded with a short ‘Ramlila’ being put up and the chief guest consigning the effigies of ‘Ravana’, ‘Kumbhkarana’ and ‘Meghnada’ to flames. He also gave away symbolic ‘Gadas’ and swords to the children on the occasion.

Various inter-class and inter-house competitions like fancy dress, mask making, board decoration were also organised during the day.

Source: TNS

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Police observed Police Commemoration Day at the Sector 17 police station, here today. Police contingents from Punjab and Haryana participated in the parade and paid homage to 717 officials who had lost their lives while on duty.

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Police personnel pay floral tributes to its martyrs in Chandigarh on Sunday.

It was in 1959 that a small contingent of the Indian Police was attacked by Chinese troops, resulting in the death of 10 jawans. Ever since, the day has been observed across the country on October 21 and homage is paid to those who have made the supreme sacrifice for the country.

UT inspector-general of police (IGP) S.K. Jain read out the names of the 717 police officials and jawans, who had died during September 1, 2006, to August 31 this year. The IGP laid a wreath on the memorial built in their memory at the Sector 17 police station.

Source: TNS