By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Jan 16:
The needy widows and disabled Ex Servicemen, were felicitated in the functions organised at eight locations, by Headquarter, North Maharashtra and Gujarat sub area, Nagpur on the occasion of 74 th Army Day on Saturday
The functions were organised at Bhusawal, Nagpur, Pulgaon, Devlali (Maharashtra) and Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Dharangdhara and Bhuj (Gujarat).
On the occasion a total of 21 needy widows and one disabled Ex Serviceman were felicitated and given a financial assistance of Rs 50,000/- each. Similar aid was extended to 44 widows/ Veer Naris (brave women) and disabled Ex Servicemen in January last year.
Speaking at the felicitation function, Maj Gen Dinesh Hooda, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Sub Area, highlighted the importance of looking after the welfare of needy and disabled Ex Servicemen and also widows who are in financial distress and find it difficult to sustain their living with the limited pensionary benefits.
The 74th Army Day was marked also at the War Memorial in Pune, with the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, Lieutenant General J S Nain laying a wreath and paying homage to those who made the supreme sacrifice while safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation.
Army Day is celebrated every year in India, in recognition Field Marshal KM Cariappa taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, from General Sir Franci’s Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief, on January 15, 1949. Army Day also marks a day to salute and honour the valiant soldier who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and its citizens.
Attestation parade
In another development on the Army Day, a Passing out parade and attestation was carried for the recruits of 131st Course and Rakshaks (DSC) at Guards Regimental Center, Kamptee, in Nagpur (Maharashtra).
A wreath laying ceremony was also carried out to pay respect to brave soldiers. In the program, the recruits of the 131th Course at the Guards Regimental Centre, Kamptee were attested as soldiers of the Indian Army. In the parade, they took the solemn oath to protect the nation even at the peril of life.
The parade was reviewed by Colonel Vivek Sharma, Officiating Commandant, Brigade of the Guards Regimental Centre. The Reviewing Officer impressed upon the recruits that becoming a soldier is a matter of pride and also an onerous responsibility. He exhorted the recruits to commit themselves to the service of the Nation physically, mentally and in all dimensions. He gave away medals to the outstanding performers of the course. Recruit Rohit Kumar, hailing from Panipat(Haryana), was adjudged the Best Recruit.
Rear Admiral K P Arvindan takes over as ASD
In yet another development, Rear Admiral K P Arvindan took over as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Mumbai in an impressive ceremony held at the dockyard on Friday.
Rear Admiral KP Arvindan, an alumnus of Naval College of Engineering, INS Shivaji, Lonavla, is from the first batch of the Naval Engineering Course and was commissioned into the Indian Navy in November 1987. The Admiral holds a B-Tech degree in Marine Engineering and a M-Tech degree in Industrial Engineering from NITIE, Mumbai.
A recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal, the Admiral was serving as Chief Staff Officer (Technical) at Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Mumbai, prior to taking over as the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard.
In a career spanning over 34 years of service, the Admiral served in various capacities, including at command headquarters, training establishments, the marine gas turbine overhaul centre, INS Eksila (Andhra Pradesh), and Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. He has served onboard a Petya class patrol vessel, the missile corvette Kirpan and guided missile destroyers Rajput and Ranjit.
His recent appointments include being the Commanding Officer of the premier training establishment, INS Shivaji, Lonavala near Pune (Maharashtra) and Commodore (Fleet Maintenance), Mumbai, an assignment he handled for a period of four years, handling issues related to maintenance and repair support for the aircraft carrier, “Vikramaditya”, and the submarine fleet of the Indian Navy. On promotion to the flag rank, the officer was appointed as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Ship Repair Yard, “Karwar”(Karnataka).
