NCC Seeks Infrastructure for Shaping Youth

The Minister of State for Defence Dr. MM Pallam Raju inaugurated the Conference of the Joint State Representatives and Deputy Directors General (JSR&D) of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) here today. JSR&D is a biennial event attended by the senior representatives from all States of the country and the NCC heads from the defence services of the respective State. As the control and conduct of NCC activities is a joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments in terms of policies, finances, administrative and other aspects, this conference provides a platform to plan, implement and coordinate the NCC activities in the entire Nation.

Inaugurating the conference, Dr Pallam Raju said, "NCC is responsible for moulding our youth into becoming responsible, disciplined and motivated citizens and for providing leadership in all walks of life. The curriculum followed by the cadets in their two years of association with NCC is extremely challenging and it is our responsibility to provide the required support. The benefit that we get is directly proportional to the effort that we put in. Disciplined youth with patriotic and secular values is the sine quo non to ensure stability and growth of the nation.”

The conference had very meaningful and fruitful deliberations on various issues concerning NCC, such as the need to provide suitable camping sites and other training facilities, raising of financial grants for training and administration of cadets commensurate with the contemporary price index, changes in the curriculum to meet and accommodate the present aspirations of the youth. The Director General, NCC Lt Gen PS Bhalla gave a detailed presentation on the progress and achievements of the NCC over the years. He apprised all States of the need to establish NCC Nagars that are well equipped with camping and training infrastructure, in various parts of the States. He also strongly presented a case for providing tangible and substantial incentives to NCC cadets so that the disciplined youth of unquestionable integrity and possessing core human values are well compensated for their dedication of time and energy to train with the NCC.
PK (Release ID :76165
NCC Seeks Infrastructure for Shaping Youth

Indian Army's 'Adopt a Hero' project

Indian Army's 'Adopt a Hero' project launched in Mumbai- Mumbai/ July 25, 2011
Lt Gen Sanjeev Chopra, GOC, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat Area launched a programme ‘Adopt A Hero’ by releasing posters of our war heroes who fought valiantly for the country and have been decorated with the highest Gallantry Award ‘Param Vir Chakra (PVC)’.
These posters- clcik here are brought out by an NGO ‘NCC Alumni and National Welfare Trust’. The concept of this programme is that schools and colleges who would like to participate will be provided these posters free of cost, for display at prominent places in their Institution.
Keeping the contemporary situation in view it is important that the youth are made aware of the importance of being ever vigilant and are given a fair idea about our heroes who have ‘Given their today for our better tomorrow’.
This project has now been launched in Mumbai in order to inculcate a sense of patriotism and awareness among the students.
NCC Alumni and Welfare Trust has been carrying out the activities of inculcating a sense of patriotism and service to the country and encouraging the youth specially the NCC Cadets and erstwhile NCC Cadets to the Armed Forces.
PIB Release/MH/121
ADOPT A HERO’ PROJECT LAUNCHED AT MUMBAI

Defence Land scam in the offing in Andhra Pradesh

Ex-servicemen to stage protest today Special Correspondent
The hindu Online edition of India's National Newspaper Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011

Association seeks allotment of house sites for the welfare of ex-servicemen

Alleges handing over of Defence lands to others without permission

KADAPA: Ex-Servicemen's Association members will stage a protest rally and demonstrate before the Tahsildar office in Badvel on Wednesday against non-implementation of GOs 1241, 243 and 244 issued for allotting house sites to them on payment basis since four years.
No response
The association has represented to the Governor and Chief Minister Peshi and several leaders that house sites be allotted for the welfare of ex-servicemen, shift the congested military canteen, allotment of land to a military hospital and against handing over of Defence reserve lands to others without any permissions, but there was no response from the powers that be, association president P. Lakshminarayana, general secretary M. Penchalaiah, treasurer M.C. Ramaiah and members alleged in a statement.
The 30 Andhra NCC Battalion want to shift the CSM military canteen from its present congested location to any government accommodation. Sites reserved for defence personnel were being distributed to others without permission from higher officials, they said.
Site for ECHS Polyclinic
The Ex-Servicemen Association sought allotment of a building or sites for a hospital for men's contributory health scheme, but the plea was pending although thousands of rupees were paid to the government, they said.
Brig. Vidyasagar wrote five D.O. letters to the Secretary, Revenue.
They represented to the Collector Shashi Bhushan Kumar, Superintendent of Police Tarun Joshi, 30 Andhra NCC Battalion Commandant Lt. Col. V.N. Shasidharan, Zilla Sainik Welfare Officer Major A. Ahmad Basha and Director of Sainik Welfare Brig. C.S. Vidyasagar.
Ex-servicemen to stage protest today

Independence day Celebrations at Red Fort

Saturday,14 August 2010 15:51 IST
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will unfurl the National Flag on the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, 2010 to celebrate the 64th Independence Day. After unfurling the Tricolor, Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the nation.

On arrival at Lahore Gate of Red Fort, the Prime Minister will be received by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony, Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju and Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar.

The Defence Secretary will introduce General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, Major General Manvender Singh to the Prime Minister. The GOC Delhi Area will then conduct the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base where a combined inter-services and police guard will present general salute to the Prime Minister. Thereafter, Dr. Manmohan Singh will inspect the guard of honour.

The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer and 24 men each from Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. The Guard of Honour will be positioned directly in front of the National Flag across the moat below the ramparts.

This year, Air Force being the coordinating agency, the Guard of Honour will be commanded by Wg Cdr P Panda. The Army contingent will be commanded by Maj Anindya Chatterjee, Naval Contingent by Lt Cdr DK Shrikantha and Delhi Police contingent by ACP Romil Baniya.

The Army contingent for PM’s Guard is from 15th Battalion of the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles. The battalion was raised on January 01, 1976 at Dhana (Madhya Pradesh). Soon after it was raised, it was inducted in Counter Insurgency Operations in Manipur, where it proved its mettle by capturing 55 hard core insurgent, including Chirom Ranjit Singh, 2IC PLA. During its first field tenure, the unit was awarded two Shaurya Chakra, four Sena Medals, two Vishist Seva Medal and one Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card. Over the years the unit has had the opportunity to serve in varied terrain conditions. The unit has always performed to the satisfaction of its cadres wherever it has been deployed.

As with its Counter Insurgency tenure (1978-82), the unit once again excelled during its Line of Control / Counter Insurgency Operations tenure in Poonch (2001-04) where it was instrumental in the elimination of 77 terrorists without any threats, inflicted casualties and also causing immense damage to Pakistani military infrastructure and troops across the Line of Control. For the perseverance, grit and devotion to duty the battalion has also been awarded four Shaurya Chakras, nineteen Sena Medals, fourteen Chief of Army Staff Commendation cards and two General Officer Commanding -in-Chief Commendation Cards, in addition to individual award, the unit was also awarded Chief of The Army Staff Unit citation in “Op RAKSHAK & Op PARAKRAM 2001-03”.

The unit has the rare distinction of once again being awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Unit Citation ‘Op Meghdoot and Op Falcon 2007-09’ for its successful tenure in Central Glacier (Op Meghdoot) & Eastern Laddakh (Op Falcon) without any casualty. It has also received one Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card and three General Officer Commanding -in-Chief Commendation Card for its individual outstanding performance.

The battalion is presently the ceremonial battalion of the Indian Army, deployed in Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate and other important places in the capital. The Army Contingent is led by Maj Anindya Chatterjee.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts where he will be greeted by Defence Minister, the Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik. The GOC Delhi area will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais to unfurl the National Flag.

The unfurling of the tri-colour will synchronize with the 21 gun salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 299 Field Regiment. The battery will be commanded by Lt Col Hemant Kumar Sah and the Gun Position Officer will be Sub (AIG) Gurappadu R.

The National Flag Guard comprising 32 men and one officer each from Army, Navy Air Force and Delhi Police will present Rashtriya Salute at the time of unfurling of the National Flag by the Prime Minister. Wing Commander J Christopher will command the Guards. The Naval Contingent for National Flag Guard will be commanded by Lt Cdr Amit Sood, the Army contingent by Captain Vikram Singh and Delhi Police contingent by Additional DCP B Shanker Jaiswal.

The Air Force Band Number 6 will play National Anthem when the National Guard presents ‘Rashtriya Salute’ while unfurling of the National Flag by the Prime Minister. All Service personnel in uniform will stand and salute. The Air Force Band will be commanded by Warrant Officer PN Yadav. Two Air Force Officers, Flying Officer A Vashishtha and Flying Officer Pankaj Gupta will be positioned on either side of the saluting dais for the PM for AsDC duties. Flt Lt Neha Chauhan will assist the Prime Minister in unfurling of the National Flag.

The Army contingent for National Flag Guard is from the 2nd Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, which was raised on November 30, 1798 at Badgaon. The Battalion designation was altered eight times, since the raising and finally rechristened as the 2nd Bn of the Rajput Regiment (Kalichindi) on independence. The Battalion has the distinction of having nine battle honours and two theatre honours and has taken part in 1947, 1962 and 1971 operations, where officers and men have exhibited extraordinary courage and valour. The Bn has been awarded Chief of Army Staff commendation for serving with distinction in ‘Op Rakshak’ in J&K in 1995. Before Independence, for showing perseverance and sacrifice the battalion got several awards to its credit which include one Victoria Cross. After independence, the battalion has been awarded with one MVC, ten VrC, three SC, two Param Vishist Sewa Medal, two Ati Vishist Sewa Medal, one Yudh Seva Medal, two Vishist Seva Medal, eleven Sena Medal and numerous Mention-in-Despatches and Commendation Cards.

The Battalion also has the honour to serve in Sudan as part of United Nation Peace Keeping Mission in 2007-2008. The smartly attired contingents of the 2nd Battalion, The Rajput Regiment comprises of two officers and 32 OR and is led by a very inspiring Capt Vikram Singh.

After unfurling the National Flag, the Prime Minister will address the nation. After the Prime Minister’s address, school children and NCC Cadets will sing National Anthem.

About seven hundred Junior Division Cadets of the National Cadet Corps from Delhi Directorate comprising Army, Navy and Air Force wings are participating in the flag hoisting ceremony this year. The cadets will also participate in the singing of patriotic songs along with school children. Three thousand five hundred girl students from 39 government and government-aided schools under the Directorate of Education, National Capital Territory of Delhi will sing the National Anthem. They will also sing patriotic songs in different regional languages before the start of the Independence Day ceremony. These children dressed up in red, saffron, green and white colour will re-create the image of Red Fort and the National Flag.
Independence day Celebrations at Red Fort

Ex-servicemen to fill NCC vacancies

Punjab Newsline Network Friday, 18 June 2010
CHANDIGARH: Facing manpower shortage, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) is roping in retired armed forces officers on contractual basis to fill vacancies in units as well as higher establishments.

this was stated by NCC Director General Lt Gen RK Karwal, who was in city for a visit to the NCC directorate here, which looks after cadets from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.

The NCC has a sanctioned strength of about 1,500 officers drawn from the three services and at present is short of about 25 per cent regular officers. “This deficiency is commensurate with the shortage of officers in the regular forces,” he said.
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/ex-servicemen-fill-ncc-vacancies/21318The NCC has plans to increase its cadet strength from 13 lakh to 15 lakh. This will require additional officer strength of 140. About 100 of these will be re-employed officers.

“The Army, too, is engaged in raising new formations and the pressure on manpower is immense,” General Karwal said.

“Re-employing ex-servicemen in the NCC is a suitable means of meeting our needs and we have drafted qualitative requirements that retired officers must fulfil for joining us,” he added. While the commanding officer of a unit would always be a regular officer, re-employed officers would be placed as second-in-command or staff officers in group headquarters and directorates. Final approval from the Defence Ministry for re-employment was expected soon. Selected officers would be on a one-year probation before being approved for tenure of another four years and their remuneration would be at par with their last drawn salary.

“All three services have a crunch as far as the officer cadre is concerned. The minute the services can provide us with the supervisory staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force, we can increase them to almost any level,” the Ministry of Defence’s representative had stated before the committee.

According to the parliamentary report, there are 529 vacancies existing at present in the NCC. On the other hand, the Army is facing a shortage of 11, 456 officers, while the navy and air force are deficient of 1,439 and 1,343 officers, respectively.

General Karwal said there was a move to increase the vacancies reserved for NCC C-Certificate seeking a commission as officers in the Army. These vacancies were being increased from the annual 64 to 90 in the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun for permanent commission and from 100 to 125 in the Officers Training Academy at Chennai for short service commission.
Ex-servicemen to fill NCC vacancies
CHANDIGARH NEWS: NCC To Rope In Ex-servicemen

NCC a solution to manpower shortage in forces: Parliamentary panel

Thursday, April 15, 2010, 17:57 IST
New Delhi: With the Army, Navy and Air Force hard-pressed over shortage of officers, a Parliamentary panel today suggested increasing the intake of NCC cadets in the three defence services as a plausible solution to their manpower problem.

While the Army faces a shortage of 11,456 officers, the Navy and the Air Force suffer a gap of 1,439 and 1,343 officers, respectively.

"The Committee finds that there is an urgent need to give more attention to the National Cadet Corps (NCC), whose main objective is to groom the youth into disciplined and patriotic citizens...NCC training would definitely help the three services in solving the problem of shortage of officers," the Parliamentary Committee on Defence said in its latest reported tabled in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Army has a sanctioned strength of 46,614 in the officer cadre, while the existing strength is 35,158 officers. The Navy's sanctioned strength of officers is 9,293 and existing strength 7,854. In the IAF, the sanctioned officer cadre strength is 12,183 and borne strength is 10,840.

The Defence Ministry had informed the committee that it took steps to address the manpower shortage in the three services which included sustained image projection and publicity campaign, participation in career fairs, advertisements in print and electronic media, counselling and motivational talks in schools, colleges and NCC camps.

The panel felt these steps were in the right direction, but a desired focus on the NCC cadets was not being given.

"The committee is of the firm view that there is an urgent need to enrol more schools and colleges, both government and private, for NCC," it said, recommending that the Ministry undertake a survey to know the percentage of NCC students who have actually joined the three services.

The training institutions of the three armed forces -- the National Defence Academy, the Indian Military Academy, the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy -- have a percentage of seats reserved for NCC 'C' certificate holders and the allotted seats are usually super-subscribed, as NCC cadets join the academies from the general quota also.

Noting that the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations has had a positive impact by making the armed forces as an attractive career option for the youth, the panel also recommended that the Ministry should consider recruiting retired officers for supervisory jobs, an area where the three services were finding it difficult to get the requisite manpower. PTI
NCC a solution to manpower shortage in forces: Par panel

Republic Day "Beating Retreat" cancelled

For the first time, the country will miss this year the magical martial tunes of Beating the Retreat, the last function of the Republic Day celebrations. Government on Tuesday cancelled the programme, held annually on 29th January, in view of former President R Venkataraman's demise.

Bands of the three Services every year play lilting martial tunes at the historic Vijay Chowk just before the sunset, bringing down the curtains of Republic Day celebrations. The President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and rest of the top brass of the country witness the much-loved event.

Government also decided to cancel the annual PM's NCC Rally, held annually two days after the Republic Day to mark the wind up of the camp held for NCC cadets from across the country.(AKS-28/01)
Republic Day "Beating the Retreat" cancelled

Indian Army Fully Prepared For Tasks Assigned to it

New Delhi | Jan 17, 2009
The Army today said it was fully prepared to execute any task entrusted by the nation and dismissed reports that it had opposed a military strike against Pakistan following the Mumbai terror attacks citing ill-preparedness.

"I think you can bank upon an Army, which is prepared for the tasks given to it by the nation and the leadership," Army chief General Deepak Kapoor told reporters during a visit to the National Cadets Corps (NCC) camp here.

"I do not know from where you (media) got those reports of Army not being prepared," Gen Kapoor said, reacting to reports of Army differing with the Air Force and Navy on going in for a military strikes against terror camps inside Pakistan territory.

The reports had suggested that the Army faced shortage of equipment and systems, and had thus opposed carrying out attacks against selective Pakistani targets, while the IAF and the Navy were eager to strike.

Earlier, General Kapoor said the Army was planning to increase the intake of the NCC cadets in the force as officers.

The Army is facing a shortage of about 11,300 officers and is now planning to start another Officers Training Academy (OTA) on the lines of its Chennai-based training institution.

Moreover, the Army provides for 10 per cent reserved seats annually in its officers training institutions, the IMA and the OTA, for cadets from the 13-lakh-strong NCC.
'Indian Army Fully Prepared For Tasks Assigned to it'

Indian Army to increase intake from NCC

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari addressing at the inauguration of the NCC Annual Republic Day Camp, organised by the Directorate General National Cadet Corps, in New Delhi on January 08, 2009.

Monday, January 05, 2009 18:51 [IST]
New Delhi: Facing an acute shortage of officers, the Indian Army is now considering increasing intake from the National Cadets Corps (NCC) into the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, a senior official said Monday.

NCC director general R.K. Karwal Tuesday said that the government could increase the intake of NCC cadets in IMA from 64 to 80. The IMA annually takes in upwards of 1,000 cadets in two batches.

“Alarmed over the shortfall of officers, the government is also likely to hike the intake of NCC 'C' certificate holders into the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, from 79 to 100,” he said while addressing a conference ahead of the NCC Republic Day Camp. The OTA takes in 600 cadets every year.

The army faces a shortage of around 11,200 officers.

Karwal added that since 2007, the NCC is working on a scheme to raise the enrolment of cadets, a majority of whom would be girls. The NCC strength would also go up from the present 1.3 million to 1.5 million in five years, he added.

Vice President Hamid Ansari will Jan 8 inaugurate the annual NCC Republic Day camp, in which 1,950 cadets from across the country will be participating. It will conclude with the Prime Minister's Rally Jan 29.

Indian Army to increase intake from NCC
Indian Army to increase intake from National Cadet Corps

NCC promises help to ESM

Promises made on 10 December 2007.
VIJAYAWADA: Hundreds of ex-servicemen and their families have a long list of demands with regard to their welfare, property, house site, employment, basic amenities and other facilities.

Seeking to ensure a better deal to them, the NCC officials have mooted a plan to work in coordination with the district administration and the District Sainik Welfare Officer so that it would be easier to solve the problems of ex-servicemen.

NCC Kakinada Group Commander PV Mohan has said that efforts are on to conduct an ‘ex-servicemen Adalat’ soon to solve problems and grievances of the families of ex-servicemen. Col. Mohan has promised provision of as many services as possible through the NCC Unit Run Canteen in the city.

All steps were being taken to ensure the welfare of ex-servicemen and a coordinated effort would be made with District Collector and District Sainik Welfare Officer in this regard, he said. The families of all ex-servicemen were also involved in the NCC Day celebrations.

“Quite a number of grievances are coming to our notice. These relate to houses, lands and other property matters. Everything that is possible will be done to take care of ex-servicemen’s interests,” Col. Mohan told ex-servicemen. A large number of ex-servicemen were participating in all the programmes including the NCC Day celebrations held at Canteen Stores Department’s Unit Run Canteen every year. Officer-in-charge A.S. Rao and other officers were extended all support to them.

The canteen was established in the city in 1984 and there has been a steady growth in its functioning and reach. “Nearly 700 items are made available for you and even small items like brooms (sweepers) are there in the list,” Col Mohan pointed out.
NCC promises help to ex-servicemen

Comments: How many ESM, families and widows have been rendered help till now? Huge profits are made by NCC Group Canteens. Most sales are from the liquor category which unwittingly is sold in large quantities to civilians at a premium price. Ideally NCC canteens should not be selling liquor, to set an example to NCC cadets in schools and colleges. However the bitter truth is that the instructors seconded by Infantry Battalions, Naval units and Air Force are mostly die hard alcoholics. This not only sets a wrong trend but also misuse by alcoholics and staff by consuming and selling large quantum of liquor in the open market does not spell well for the Defence Forces at large. We need to exhibit the best traditions of service and example to the Youth of the Nation.

The March of Rural India, NCC Camp Grooms Officers

The Director General NCC, Lt Gen Prakash S Chaudhary alongwith other officers, psychologist and the NCC cadets at the special camp on personality development and intervention programme, in New Delhi on June 12, 2008.

Ever wondered how a young lad, all of 21, from a remote village in the far-flung northeast stormed his way into the front pages having bagged the coveted best cadet’s trophy at the premier National Defence Academy (NDA) passing out parade held at Khadakwasla recently. Yes, Romen Yumnam hails from a quaint little village, Lanmeidong, on the Myanmar border yet the proud peasant’s son walked away with the President’s Gold Medal for merit in academics and sports. Yumnam is not alone; six other cadets from the insurgency-hit state gave company to the champion boxer as another 280 marched through the portals of the NDA on May 31 for the last time.

The March of Rural India– NCC Camp Grooms Officers

Raksha Mantralya (MOD) Broad Functions

Raksha Vibhag (Deparment of Defence)

01. Defence of India and every part thereof including preparation for defence and all such acts as may be conducive in time of war to its prosecution and after its termination to effective demobilisation.
02. The Armed Forces of the Union, namely, Army, Navy and Air Force.
03. Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence comprising of Army Headquarters, Naval Headquarters, Air Headquarters and Defence Staff Headquarters.
04. The Reserves of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
05. The Territorial Army.
06. The National Cadet Corps.
07. Works relating to Army, Navy and Air Force.
08. Remounts, Veterinary and Farms Organisation.
09. Canteen Stores Department (India).
10. Civilian Services paid from Defence Estimates.
11. Hydrographic surveys and preparation of navigational charts.
12. Formation of Cantonments, delimitation/excision of Cantonment areas, local self-government in such areas, the constitution and powers within such areas of Contonment Boards and authorities and the regulation of house accommodation (including the control of rents) in such areas.
13. Acquisition, requisitioning, custody and relinquishment of land and property for defence purposes. Eviction of unauthorised occupants from defence land and property.
14. **
15. Defence Accounts Department.
16. Purchase of food stuffs for military requirements and their disposal excluding those entrusted to Department of Food and Public Distribution.
17. All matters relating to Coast Guard Organisation, including- surveillance of maritime zones against oil spills; combating oil spills in various maritime zones, except in the waters of ports and within 500 metres of off-shore exploration and production platforms, coastal refineries and associated facilities such as Single Buoy Mooring (SBM), Crude Oil Terminal (COT) and pipelines; Central Coordinating Agency for Combating of Oil Pollution in the coastal and marine environment of various maritime zones; implementation of National Contingency Plan for oil spill disaster; and undertaking oil spill prevention and control, inspection of ships and offshore platforms in the country, except within the limits of ports as empowered by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958).
18. Matters relating to diving and related activities in the country.
19. Procurement exclusive to the Defence services.

Poorva Sennani Kalyan Vibhag (Department of Ex- Servicemen)

01. Matters relating to Armed Forces Veterans (Ex-Servicemen) including pensioners.
02. Armed Forces Veterans (Ex-Servicemen) Contributory Health Scheme.
03. Matters relating to Directorate General of Resettlement and Kendriya Sainik Board.
04. Administration of- the Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961 (Parts I and II); the Pension Regulations for the Air Force, 1961 (Parts I and II);the Navy (Pension) Regulations, 1964; and The Entitlement Rules to Casualty Pensionary Awards to the Armed Forces Personnel, 1982.

Matyrs Kin who received Ashok Chakra

Three Army personnel who were awarded the coveted Ashok Chakra, all posthumously, by the President of India on the Republic Day on 26 Jan 2008. These are Col Vasanth V, Captain Harshan R, and Naib Subedar Chuni. These awards were announced last year and received by their next of kin.

Col Vasanth V of 9 Maratha Light Infantry laid down his life in a fire fight when he was personally leading an operation to flush out militants near Uri town in Jammu and Kashmir. He succumbed to his injuries before he reached the hospital. He is survived by his wife Subhashini, two daughters Rukmini and Yeshodha and parents Mr and Mrs Venugopal.

Col Vasanth went to school at many places in Karnataka as his father was working with the LIC. His schooling took him to Mangalore, Ooty, Udupi, Shimoga, Bangalore etc. He graduated from MES College, Bangalore. He was an ardent NCC Cadet and had also participated in a Republic Day parade at Delhi. He also visited Canada on exchange programme through the NCC.

Even as a youngster, he had expressed a desire to be in the army. Being a bright student, he had got selected to do an MBA in the prestigious IIM, but he chose to go to IMA, Dehradun as a Gentleman Cadet.

Col Vasanth – a true idealist and a man of peace – was proud to be an officer of the Indian Army till the very end. He was no armchair idealist. He read widely about military histories and strategy and would take great care to analyse the inscrutable choices that armies have made in history. He attended many seminars and talks, and listened with care to the many different voices of our nation. He was genuinely motivated by sacrifice. He was excited about commanding the 9 Maratha LI and thrilled that he would be joining them on the frontline. For Vasanth, his lifetime commitment was simple – his word and his honour. His personal life always came second.

In 1997, during a discussion with his wife, Subhashini, a Bharatnatyam dancer, Vasanth expressed that there are a lot of people speaking about the soldiers but not many who try to depict the life of the women in their lives. He felt that she should use her talent and her experiences to tell the story of the army wife. This gave the birth to The Silent Front, an organization dedicated to the widows of martyrs. Mrs Suhasini will receive the award bestowed on the gallant officer from the President. The award received by his wife, Mrs Subhashini.

Captain Harshan R was born on 15 Apr 1980 at Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. An alumnus of Sainik School, Kazhakootam, National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla) and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Capt Harshan R volunteered for the Special Forces and was commissioned into 2 PARA (SF) in Dec 2002.

As is known from his Academy days, Harshan was both mentally and physically an outstanding officer. The officer excelled in all his courses, with a special mention to his excellent mountaineering skills which helped him to do exceedingly well in High Altitude Warfare Course. Amongst his other skills, the officer was an under water diver and an excellent cross country runner.

Capt Harshan was a tough officer blessed with uncommon tenacity which reflected in the operations conducted by him and his relentless pursuit of terrorists in the harsh confines of Lolab valley of J & K. The officer established his reputation when in the beginning of Mar 07 he single handedly eliminated two terrorists in an operation that included two top leaders of Hizbul Mujahidin of North Kashmir.

On 20 Mar 2007 the officer received specific input regarding presence of a group of hard core terrorists in Chhoti Margi area of Lolab. Without waiting a moment and despite continuous snowfall the officer rushed to the area with his troops and laid cordon of the house in the early hours of the morning. Taking advantage of a pitch dark night and poor visibility, the terrorists attempted to break cordon. Four terrorists rushed out firing and virtually came face to face with Capt Harshan. Despite being outnumbered Capt Harshan killed one terrorist on the spot, and at the process the officer received a gun shot wound on his neck and fell down. Despite his grievous injuries, the officer continued to engage the remaining terrorists before succumbing and in the process wounded a third terrorist. His valour and supreme courage inspired his colleagues to eliminate the remaining two terrorists in the same operation, one of whom was wounded by the officer. His award received by Mr K Radhakrishnan Nair, the father of this brave officer.

Naib Subedar Chuni Lal, who received Vir Chakra and Sena Medal for gallantry in earlier operations was born on Bhaderwah in 1968. During training he excelled in military subjects, displayed courage and camaraderie and showed potentials of a true soldier and joined 8 JAK LI (SIACHEN). In 1985, when he was a Sepoy, Chuni Lal volunteered for and played a crucial role in capturing the now famous Bana Top (21,153 ft) on Siachen Glacier. For this act of gallantry he was awarded Sena Medal. He became an example to emulate when in Poonch during OPERATION RAKSHAK he fought an attempted intrusion and was instrumental in beating back the attack killing 12 of the intruders. He was awarded Vir Chakra for this act of gallantry.

An asset to the organization, he represented Indian Army twice as United Nations Peacekeepers in SOMALIA in 1992 and SUDAN in 2006. He again displayed his utility and unflinching devotion to duty while serving in the difficult operational situation of Sudan as a peacekeeper. He was at the forefront in the Malakal crisis for which the battalion was awarded United Nations Unit Citation for valour. He excelled professionally and also did instructor tenure at NCC Officers Training Academy, Kamptee.

On 24 June 2007 on information about likely infiltration in Kupwara Sector he re-sited ambushes to block all escape routes. Leading from the front Naib Subedar Chuni Lal, out-maneuvered the terrorists. By killing three terrorists himself, he inspired and facilitated his small team to kill all other terrorists. The twice-decorated hero displayed exemplary gallantry courage of exceptional order and made supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Army. The award bestowed on him received by his wife Chintha Devi.

Credit: Press Information Bureau of India

Capt Sunil Kumar Chaudhary, was killed on 27 Jan 2008 fighting insurgents in Assam a day after being awarded the Sena Medal, was cremated at his home town in J and K with full military honours.

Chaudhary was killed Sunday afternoon in a counter-insurgency operation in Barapathar village in Assam's Tinsukia district. He had killed two militants of the 28 battalion of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) even after being shot in his neck. He later succumbed to his injuries. Chaudhary was named a recipient of the Sena Medal for gallantry in the awards announced Friday on the eve of the country's Republic Day.

"The award was for an operation in Nabjothi (also in Tinsukia) in July last year in which two militants, including self styled Sgt. Palash Moni, an action group commander of ULFA, were killed," the statement said.

Son of a serving Indian Army officer, Lt. Col. P.L. Chaudhary, Sunil Kumar's brother Ankur is an officer in the Indian Air Force. Chaudhary completed his early education at the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bangalore, graduated from Pune University and was a post-graduate of Garhwal University in Uttarakhand. Commissioned from the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun into the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles on Dec 10, 2004, Chaudhary had excelled in platoon weapons and machine gun courses at the Infantry School, Mhow. Before moving to counter-terrorism operations, he was posted at Kolkata.

Submitted by Mudassir Rizwan on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 11:38. India News By IANS