Army chief releases cover of Project Himank
Leh (J&K): Army Chief General VK Singh on Friday dedicated a commemorative cover on the glorious 25 years of Project Himank launched by Border Roads Organisation for development of road communication in the Ladakh region.
General Singh, who had arrived in Leh, released the commemorative cover of Project Himank, aptly known as 'Mountain Tamers'.
The project started on December 4, 1985 at Leh exclusively for the development of road communication in Ladakh region, which till 1960 was connected with the rest of the country only by mule tracks, a defence spokesman said.
All units and roads of the project are located in high altitude areas at heights above 10,000 feet, he said, adding that there are nine major passes in the project ranging from 12,200 feet to 18,380 feet, he said.
PTI First Published: Friday, December 02, 2011, 08:12
Army chief releases cover of Project Himank
Indian Army gifts Engg equipments to Myanmarese counterpart
Imphal, November24: The 45th Indo-Myanmar Border Liaison Meeting between Indian Army Officers and Myanmar Army Officers is being held at Myanmar from Nov 24 to 28 Nov 11. A fourteen member Indian Army Delegation headed by Major General Binoy Poonnen, GOC Red Shield Division under the aegis of HQ 3 Corps left today morning for Myanmar to attend the Indo-Myanmar Border Liaison Meeting said a press release of the PIB (Defence)
The Indo-Myanmar Border Liaison Meet is a landmark event where representatives of both the Armies interact and exchange views on matters relating to security of border areas and measures to be initiated to control insurgency in both countries. The event also gives an opportunity to all the delegates to exchange views which help in further strengthening the friendly bond and co-operation between both the countries.
Major General Binoy Poonnen, VSM also handed over 18 Tippers to the Myanmar Army as part of assistance to Myanmar for Road construction today at border town of Moreh. The Myanmar Army was represented by an officer from RCC Kalay, who took over these Tippers. The event was attended by Indian Army delegation and officials of Myanmar Army, according to the press release.
Indian Army gifts Engg equipments to Myanmarese counterpart
Showing posts with label Border Roads Organisation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Border Roads Organisation. Show all posts
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Government to muzzle CAG and RTI Act?
What began as a few whispers is now a booming drumbeat. Powerful senior ministers are asserting that the Right to Information Act (RTI), till now flaunted as one of the UPA government’s biggest gifts to the aam aadmi, is “transgressing into government functioning”. Similar misgivings are being voiced on another constitutional body that has been in the news lately—the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). Put together, this has raised fears of a possible attempt to muzzle the proverbial messenger.
“The government has not made it clear what can or cannot be made public, which is what’s leading to controversies.”Sudha Pai, Professor, JNU
“Both (RTI and CAG) are messengers that bring to people something that has been stolen or gone wrong,” says former CAG T.N. Chaturvedi. But that’s not how a beleaguered government is seeing it. Facing varied governance scandals, it says that RTI is being misused for political and business ends. Over the past few weeks, one RTI response brought to fore the rivalry between Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and home minister P. Chidambaram. Another RTI reply has cast doubts on the CAG’s assessment of losses to the exchequer in the 2G case.
Are they really hampering government functioning? That’s arguable, feels former chief information commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, pointing out that if government agencies share information or store it well in the first place, no time would be lost in retrieving and giving RTI responses. “The apprehensions,” Habibullah stresses, “arise due to the fact that we have been an insular government and very secretive so far. The use of RTI is not to impair law or government functioning.” On concerns over leakage of sensitive information, he cites the example of the army, which has streamlined the system with adequate checks.
Civil society, meanwhile, is happy that RTI is now helping improve services by generating, for instance, public debate and action in Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh for monitoring nrega and better supply of subsidised foodgrains, respectively. Voicing civil society’s fears, Nikhil Dey of the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information says: “We’re worried that the government will dilute the RTI on some pretext. If at all we need to rethink, it’s only about better implementation.”
Till now, civil society has managed to thwart attempts by the government to impose many new conditions—like word limit or multiple questions in an application. So far, the government has promised there would be public consultation for any amendment.
“The CAG is not interested in running down the government or the PMO. Its report can only hold a mirror to events.”T.N. Chaturvedi, Former CAG
“Why should there be any rethink on RTI? Nobody can fully cleanse the system, but at least RTI is helping to do so in bits and pieces. It has put some fear in the system,” says former chief election commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh, who still lends support to various anti-corruption movements. The general consensus is that despite the odd misuse of RTI for political ends, it has only helped improve government functioning. Unfortunately for the government, the full potential of RTI is still being unravelled.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?278635
“The government has not made it clear what can or cannot be made public, which is what’s leading to controversies.”Sudha Pai, Professor, JNU
“Both (RTI and CAG) are messengers that bring to people something that has been stolen or gone wrong,” says former CAG T.N. Chaturvedi. But that’s not how a beleaguered government is seeing it. Facing varied governance scandals, it says that RTI is being misused for political and business ends. Over the past few weeks, one RTI response brought to fore the rivalry between Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and home minister P. Chidambaram. Another RTI reply has cast doubts on the CAG’s assessment of losses to the exchequer in the 2G case.
Are they really hampering government functioning? That’s arguable, feels former chief information commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, pointing out that if government agencies share information or store it well in the first place, no time would be lost in retrieving and giving RTI responses. “The apprehensions,” Habibullah stresses, “arise due to the fact that we have been an insular government and very secretive so far. The use of RTI is not to impair law or government functioning.” On concerns over leakage of sensitive information, he cites the example of the army, which has streamlined the system with adequate checks.
Civil society, meanwhile, is happy that RTI is now helping improve services by generating, for instance, public debate and action in Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh for monitoring nrega and better supply of subsidised foodgrains, respectively. Voicing civil society’s fears, Nikhil Dey of the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information says: “We’re worried that the government will dilute the RTI on some pretext. If at all we need to rethink, it’s only about better implementation.”
Till now, civil society has managed to thwart attempts by the government to impose many new conditions—like word limit or multiple questions in an application. So far, the government has promised there would be public consultation for any amendment.
“The CAG is not interested in running down the government or the PMO. Its report can only hold a mirror to events.”T.N. Chaturvedi, Former CAG
“Why should there be any rethink on RTI? Nobody can fully cleanse the system, but at least RTI is helping to do so in bits and pieces. It has put some fear in the system,” says former chief election commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh, who still lends support to various anti-corruption movements. The general consensus is that despite the odd misuse of RTI for political ends, it has only helped improve government functioning. Unfortunately for the government, the full potential of RTI is still being unravelled.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?278635
Thursday, September 29, 2011
National Disaster Management Team drains the Army in Sikkim
Friday , September 23 , 2011
Disaster team drain on army
SUJAN DUTTA
New Delhi, Sept. 22: The army in Sikkim is fed up with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) because its personnel are not only unfit for rescue and relief work but also a drain on the military’s resources.
Army officers are wary of speaking out in public on the difficulties of helping the NDRF — which they have been asked to by the home ministry — but it takes little for them to vent their ire in private.
“They (the NDRF) do not have any administrative support and they are eating into ours. They should remain in Delhi and Gurgaon to rescue cats from high-rises,” an angry officer said.
Officers on the ground have been constantly complaining to their superiors and higher headquarters on the demands being made by the NDRF.
“This is a time for all able people to get down on the ground with pickaxes and shovels but these NDRF personnel are not fit enough to walk 1,500 feet downhill and then 800 feet uphill,” one officer said.
Deployment in the Himalayan state demands acclimatisation and high-energy levels that are not ordinarily required in the plains. The 10 NDRF teams, of about 400 personnel, were flown in by the Indian Air Force’s newly acquired Super Hercules C-130J aircraft from Delhi and Calcutta.
For nearly two days they were stranded in Bagdogra and Siliguri waiting for army engineers to clear the road to Gangtok after Sunday evening’s quake.
The army was also asked to dedicate three helicopters to the NDRF, an order that it has grudgingly accepted.
“This is the time for all available resources to be put to the best use. But we have had to give them these helicopters and they are still in ‘recce mode’ while we are desperately looking for more for casualty evacuation and to fly in resources,” another officer said.
Sikkim is in the army’s Sukna-headquartered 33 Corps area of responsibility. The Corps has three divisions — 27 (headquartered in Kalimpong), 17 (Gangtok) and 20 (Binaguri). All three are mountain divisions with their soldiers acclimatised or acclimatising for deployment in high-altitude positions.
Many of the army posts along the 250-odd kilometre frontage with China in North and East Sikkim are still not physically accessible.
But there are nearly 6,000 troops whose main task now is to clear roads because the deployment for “border management” (a defensive posture) does not require all resources to be posted at the front.
The army has been deployed across Sikkim for 40 years and along with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police were the first responders to the quake.
An officer complained that not only has the NDRF been given dedicated helicopters, its officers also demand to be guided by the army.
The NDRF is a young force, formed after the 2004 tsunami. Ironically, former army chief, General (retired) Nirmal Chandra Vij heads the National Disaster Management Authority.
Disaster team drain on army
Disaster team drain on army
SUJAN DUTTA
New Delhi, Sept. 22: The army in Sikkim is fed up with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) because its personnel are not only unfit for rescue and relief work but also a drain on the military’s resources.
Army officers are wary of speaking out in public on the difficulties of helping the NDRF — which they have been asked to by the home ministry — but it takes little for them to vent their ire in private.
“They (the NDRF) do not have any administrative support and they are eating into ours. They should remain in Delhi and Gurgaon to rescue cats from high-rises,” an angry officer said.
Officers on the ground have been constantly complaining to their superiors and higher headquarters on the demands being made by the NDRF.
“This is a time for all able people to get down on the ground with pickaxes and shovels but these NDRF personnel are not fit enough to walk 1,500 feet downhill and then 800 feet uphill,” one officer said.
Deployment in the Himalayan state demands acclimatisation and high-energy levels that are not ordinarily required in the plains. The 10 NDRF teams, of about 400 personnel, were flown in by the Indian Air Force’s newly acquired Super Hercules C-130J aircraft from Delhi and Calcutta.
For nearly two days they were stranded in Bagdogra and Siliguri waiting for army engineers to clear the road to Gangtok after Sunday evening’s quake.
The army was also asked to dedicate three helicopters to the NDRF, an order that it has grudgingly accepted.
“This is the time for all available resources to be put to the best use. But we have had to give them these helicopters and they are still in ‘recce mode’ while we are desperately looking for more for casualty evacuation and to fly in resources,” another officer said.
Sikkim is in the army’s Sukna-headquartered 33 Corps area of responsibility. The Corps has three divisions — 27 (headquartered in Kalimpong), 17 (Gangtok) and 20 (Binaguri). All three are mountain divisions with their soldiers acclimatised or acclimatising for deployment in high-altitude positions.
Many of the army posts along the 250-odd kilometre frontage with China in North and East Sikkim are still not physically accessible.
But there are nearly 6,000 troops whose main task now is to clear roads because the deployment for “border management” (a defensive posture) does not require all resources to be posted at the front.
The army has been deployed across Sikkim for 40 years and along with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police were the first responders to the quake.
An officer complained that not only has the NDRF been given dedicated helicopters, its officers also demand to be guided by the army.
The NDRF is a young force, formed after the 2004 tsunami. Ironically, former army chief, General (retired) Nirmal Chandra Vij heads the National Disaster Management Authority.
Disaster team drain on army
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
BRO Signboards that make you smile
— Photo: PTI
SIGN OF THE TIMES: A signboard erected recently by the Border Roads Organisation along the Leh-Manali national highway.
Leh: ‘I am curve[a]ceous, Be slow!'
This is one of the many messages put on signboards along the Leh-Manali national highway here to guide drivers about narrow turns and traffic rules.
This innovation of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a nodal agency under the Government of India involved in construction and maintenance of crucial road infrastructure for the armed forces in inhospitable and far-flung border areas, has caught the fancy of tourists.
“It is interesting to find such funny boards on roads. These signboards convey serious messages. I really like the idea,” says Christopher, a tourist.
‘Love thy neighbour but not while driving,' reads another one.
Roads maintained by BRO are full of such signboards.
For 29-year-old software professional Aniket, who had come to Leh from Ahmedabad on a motorbike, these signboards are rejuvenating after a tiring stint.
“I have come to Leh a number of times. Every time I see these boards, I forget all my worries and laugh freely. These are indeed an innovative approach to teach people about traffic and roads rules,” he said.
‘This is a highway not a runway,' warns another signboard, asking people to drive slowly.
These boards are visible from a distance of about 200 metres and words are written in large fonts for the convenience of the drivers.
“I am going to suggest officials in my country follow this. How do you people get such ideas?” said a Canadian national, Maya Taylor.
The BRO has been receiving plaudits from people and authorities here for its initiative.
“We have tried to make it innovative so that people feel like reading and following it. We keep thinking of such new messages to teach people about traffic rules and driving,” a BRO official said.
‘Your hurry may be a cause of worry to your family,' says another signboard.
“I wish these kind of signboards are erected by other State authorities too. After all, gone are the days of serious messages. The government needs to change its attitude,” said Raksha, who had come here from Mumbai.
Some of the signboards, which were damaged in a cloudburst on the intervening night of August 5-6 last year, are being revamped by the BRO. Over 250 people had died and 1,400 households were affected in the natural calamity. — PTI
Signboards that make you smile
Leh: ‘I am curve[a]ceous, Be slow!'
This is one of the many messages put on signboards along the Leh-Manali national highway here to guide drivers about narrow turns and traffic rules.
This innovation of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a nodal agency under the Government of India involved in construction and maintenance of crucial road infrastructure for the armed forces in inhospitable and far-flung border areas, has caught the fancy of tourists.
“It is interesting to find such funny boards on roads. These signboards convey serious messages. I really like the idea,” says Christopher, a tourist.
‘Love thy neighbour but not while driving,' reads another one.
Roads maintained by BRO are full of such signboards.
For 29-year-old software professional Aniket, who had come to Leh from Ahmedabad on a motorbike, these signboards are rejuvenating after a tiring stint.
“I have come to Leh a number of times. Every time I see these boards, I forget all my worries and laugh freely. These are indeed an innovative approach to teach people about traffic and roads rules,” he said.
‘This is a highway not a runway,' warns another signboard, asking people to drive slowly.
These boards are visible from a distance of about 200 metres and words are written in large fonts for the convenience of the drivers.
“I am going to suggest officials in my country follow this. How do you people get such ideas?” said a Canadian national, Maya Taylor.
The BRO has been receiving plaudits from people and authorities here for its initiative.
“We have tried to make it innovative so that people feel like reading and following it. We keep thinking of such new messages to teach people about traffic rules and driving,” a BRO official said.
‘Your hurry may be a cause of worry to your family,' says another signboard.
“I wish these kind of signboards are erected by other State authorities too. After all, gone are the days of serious messages. The government needs to change its attitude,” said Raksha, who had come here from Mumbai.
Some of the signboards, which were damaged in a cloudburst on the intervening night of August 5-6 last year, are being revamped by the BRO. Over 250 people had died and 1,400 households were affected in the natural calamity. — PTI
Signboards that make you smile
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Real Idea of India
Fri, 24 December, 2010 10:45:45 AM
Subject: Real Idea of India - From Anand, Office of Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament
Greetings.
Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament shares a photograph of a brilliant and extremely thoughtful signpost put up by the Indian Army that captures the essence of being an Indian. The photograph speaks volumes about Indian Army and the Real Idea of India.
Visit Rajeev web page: click here
Will be grateful to your feedback.
Mr. Chandrasekhar extends his Best Wishes for the Season and for the coming New Year.
Best Regards
V.Anand
Principal - Public Affairs,
Office of Rajeev Chandrasekhar,
Member of Parliament
Monday, December 6, 2010
Bizarre road signs: Border Roads Organisation takes the cake
By Anoop Chugh, 26/02/2010
Bizarre road signs
On my last trip to McLeodganj my eyes fell upon something that would have infused life into a dead soul.
"Beware of road surprises", read one of the road signs. Road surprises? What the hell is that supposed to mean? The road would take you to a dead end or would end abruptly in a ditch?
Or may be, it would take you to the same place where you had started from, much like Delhi's Ring Road. Of course, with some piece of information to add to your misery, "you have just discovered the world is round". Must say, these PWD (Public Works Department) guys are a funny lot. They keep the humour going, wherever you go.
Why limit ourselves to only two emotions when there are hordes of them? How about something that can arouse and stir up the dying romance in your life. "Be gentle on my curves", are the kind of things that can warm up newly-weds up on their way to honeymoon. The moment your head starts getting ideas there will be a dampener howling, "Make love not war, but nothing while driving". Man! Such a turn-off! Creatively-bent heads can appease their artistic selves with "Hospital ceilings are boring to look at. Avoid accidents"
Surely, PWD believes we can't even wipe-off our ass without making a mess of it. Or, why else would they warn 'Caution: Wet roads during rain'. Surely, even somebody in diaper would know rains make roads wet. What else would they preach us - 'Don't drive sitting in the rear seat', 'If AC ain't working, roll down your windows', or 'breathe out, once you breathe in'.
Whatever little I have travelled, these boards never fail to amaze me. Road signs enthusiasts would unanimously agree that graffiti on hills is much more creative when compared to the other parts of the country.
No doubt the one-liners like "Don't gossip, let him drive" and "Darling I love you, but not so fast" sprinkled all across the Himalayas, add zing to your zeal.
Then there are gems like "Soft shoulder, blind curves, steep grade, big trucks. Good luck!", which send a shiver down your spine and make you smile at the same time. Not everyone can bring out a perfect concoction of fear and laughter.
Border Roads Organisation takes the cake
Did I forget to mention the poets the Border Road Organisation is filled with. Here are some verses that won't put John Keats to shame but at least they rhyme. "Don't dream otherwise you'll scream", "This is a highway not a runway", "Mind your brakes or break your mind", "Do not be rash and end in crash". In fact, it sounds more like the title track of some pseudo rock band. This one surely does, "Drive like hell, and you 'll be there". Take care.
Bizarre road signs
Bizarre road signs
On my last trip to McLeodganj my eyes fell upon something that would have infused life into a dead soul.
"Beware of road surprises", read one of the road signs. Road surprises? What the hell is that supposed to mean? The road would take you to a dead end or would end abruptly in a ditch?
Or may be, it would take you to the same place where you had started from, much like Delhi's Ring Road. Of course, with some piece of information to add to your misery, "you have just discovered the world is round". Must say, these PWD (Public Works Department) guys are a funny lot. They keep the humour going, wherever you go.
Why limit ourselves to only two emotions when there are hordes of them? How about something that can arouse and stir up the dying romance in your life. "Be gentle on my curves", are the kind of things that can warm up newly-weds up on their way to honeymoon. The moment your head starts getting ideas there will be a dampener howling, "Make love not war, but nothing while driving". Man! Such a turn-off! Creatively-bent heads can appease their artistic selves with "Hospital ceilings are boring to look at. Avoid accidents"
Surely, PWD believes we can't even wipe-off our ass without making a mess of it. Or, why else would they warn 'Caution: Wet roads during rain'. Surely, even somebody in diaper would know rains make roads wet. What else would they preach us - 'Don't drive sitting in the rear seat', 'If AC ain't working, roll down your windows', or 'breathe out, once you breathe in'.
Whatever little I have travelled, these boards never fail to amaze me. Road signs enthusiasts would unanimously agree that graffiti on hills is much more creative when compared to the other parts of the country.
No doubt the one-liners like "Don't gossip, let him drive" and "Darling I love you, but not so fast" sprinkled all across the Himalayas, add zing to your zeal.
Then there are gems like "Soft shoulder, blind curves, steep grade, big trucks. Good luck!", which send a shiver down your spine and make you smile at the same time. Not everyone can bring out a perfect concoction of fear and laughter.
Border Roads Organisation takes the cake
Did I forget to mention the poets the Border Road Organisation is filled with. Here are some verses that won't put John Keats to shame but at least they rhyme. "Don't dream otherwise you'll scream", "This is a highway not a runway", "Mind your brakes or break your mind", "Do not be rash and end in crash". In fact, it sounds more like the title track of some pseudo rock band. This one surely does, "Drive like hell, and you 'll be there". Take care.
Bizarre road signs
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