2019 1-15 November Vol 66 No 21 ` 5 SAINIK Samachar PM Celebrates Diwali with Army Soldiers in J&K Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria called on Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at his office in New Delhi on October 28, 2019. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chairing a meeting with a Japanese delegation led by Chief of Staff, Japan Ground Self Defence Force, General Goro Yuasa in New Delhi on October 29, 2019. In This Issue Since 1909 ColBIRTH Chewang ANNIVERSARY Rinchen CELEBRATIONS bridge 4 Inaugurated in Eastern Ladakh (Initially published as FAUJI AKHBAR) Vol. 66 q No 21 10 – 24 Kartika 1941 (Saka) 1-15 November 2019 The journal of India’s Armed Forces published every fortnight in thirteen languages including Hindi & English on behalf of Ministry of Defence. It is not necessarily an organ for the expression of the Government’s defence policy. The published items represent the views of respective writers and correspondents. Editor-in-Chief Ruby Thinda Sharma Senior Editor Manoj Tuli Sub Editors Sub Maj KC Sahu RM Urges Scientists to 6 Army Commanders' 8 Sub Maj Baiju G strive for making India Conference-2019 Coordination Kunal Kumar Business Manager Dhirendra Kumar Our Correspondents DELHI: Col Aman Anand; Gp Capt Anupam Banerjee; Cdr Vivek Madhwal; Nampibou Marinmai; BENGALURU: Guru Prasad HL; CHANDIGARH: Anil Gaur; CHENNAI: M Ponnein Selvan; GANDHINAGAR: Wg Cdr Puneet Chadha; GUWAHATI: Lt Col P Khongsai; IMPHAL: Lt Col M Vaishnava; JALANDHAR : Gagandeep Kaur; JAMMU: Lt Col Devender Anand; JAIPUR: Lt Col Sombit Ghosh; KOCHI: Cdr Sridhar E Warrier; KOHIMA: Lt Col SK Sharma; KOLKATA: Dipannita Dhar; LUCKNOW: Gargi Malik Sinha; MUMBAI: Cdr Mehul Karnik, Narendra Kumar Vispute; NAGPUR: Gp Capt BB Pande; PALAM: Gp Capt Anupam Banerjee (Offg.); PRAYAGRAJ: Gp Capt BB Pande (Offg.); PUNE: Mahesh Iyengar; SECUNDERABAD: G Surendra Babu; SHILLONG; Wg Cdr Ratnakar Singh; SRINAGAR: Col Rajesh Kalia; TEZPUR: Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande; THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ms Dhanya Sanal K; 12 Interview of ADG Army Aviation UDHAMPUR: Lt Col Abhinav Navneet; VISAKHAPATNAM: Capt CG Raju. Naval Commanders' 9 14 DRDO’s Air Independent Propulsion… Conference-2019 Published by: 15 India-US Poised to achieve tangible A Bharat Bhushan Babu, ADG (M&C) 16 'Dilli Series' Sea Power Seminar-2019 S Subramanian, Director (PR) 17 CME on Advances in Radiology Directorate of Public Relations, South Block, 18 73rd Infantry Day Celebrations Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-110011 20 Check List for Veterans & NoK Editorial Office: 21 Ex Dharma Guardian-2019 L-1 Block, Church Road, New Delhi-110001, Telefax : 23094668 Telephone : 23092768 22 Chakravyuh Email : [email protected] 23 Armed Forces Panorama E-in-C: ASCON-32078 For subscriptions contact : Business Manager, Sainik Samachar, Telephone : 23092768 Subscription Rates: Inland (Ordinary): One Year Rs 100.00, Overseas NCC is the torchbearer of Armed (Surface Mail): Rs 450.00 Concessional (per year): Rs 20.00 (Applicable for 11 dependants of service personnel & ex-Servicemen.) Forces, says RRM For all correspondence subscribers must quote their subscription number On front cover: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi celebrating Diwali with the soldiers of Indian Army in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir. For more details visit our website: http://sainiksamachar.nic.in Follow us on: www.facebook.com/DefenceMinIndia https://twitter.com/spokespersonMoD https://www.instagram.com/prodefense/ Col Chewang Rinchen bridge Inaugurated in Eastern Ladakh aksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Rhas reiterated the Government’s unwavering commitment to bolster border infrastructure to effectively deal with any threats that undermine the peace and tranquillity in the country. He was inaugurating strategically important ‘Col Chewang Rinchen Setu’, a bridge built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) over River Shyok, connecting Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldie in Eastern Ladakh on October 21, 2019. “Keeping in view the current security situation, strengthening our borders is the need of the hour. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh after inaugurating Col Chewang Rinchen bridge Border area development is an connecting Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldie in Eastern Ladakh on October 21, 2019. Also integral part of our Government’s seen are Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, GOC-in-C, Northern Command Lt plan and this bridge is a part of that Gen Ranbir Singh, Ladakh MP Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and Dr Phunsog Angmo, strategy”, Raksha Mantri said. daughter of Col Rinchen. Shri Rajnath Singh said, “India have not allowed the situation to Narendra Modi in Mahabalipuram. shares cordial relations with China. escalate or go out of hand.” China’s recent statement for action There are perceptional differences Raksha Mantri added, “Kashmir against terror is also significant.” between both the countries on the is India’s internal and integral matter. Raksha Mantri said, with the boundary issue but the issue has Even the Chinese President Mr Xi decision to make Ladakh a separate been handled with great maturity Jinping did not mention Kashmir in Union Territory, the Government has and responsibility. Both the countries his meeting with Prime Minister Shri fulfilled the long-pending demand of the people, which will open new doors of development in the region. “Like the rest of the country, Ladakh will now become a destination for investment. There will also be a boost in revenue generation and employment opportunities for local people”, he added. Raksha Mantri said, abrogation of Article 370 will put an end to terrorism and separatism which, since independence, has led to the killing of thousands of innocent people. He said, the decision will strengthen human rights and help in empowering women of the area. Shri Rajnath Singh described ‘Col Chewang Rinchen Setu’ as a symbol of the Government’s resolve Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurating Col Chewang Rinchen bridge. of positive change and all-round 4 Sainik Samachar November 1-15, 2019 development of the nation. He said, the bridge not only connects Durbuk with Daulat Beg Oldie but also links the people of Ladakh and all interior areas of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. “Through initiatives like these, the people of this region will have the opportunity to become part of India’s growth story”, Shri Rajnath Singh hoped. Hailing BRO as an ‘inspirational and disciplined force’, Shri Rajnath Singh lauded it for playing a leading role in the infrastructure development in far-flung areas in extremely tough and inhospitable terrain. He also appreciated BRO Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh walking over Col Chewang Rinchen bridge. for playing a pivotal role in helping not only domestic but foreign tourists Chief of Army Staff General the people living in these areas. as well. He complimented BRO for Bipin Rawat, General Officer Raksha Mantri termed constructing 1,200 kms of roads in Commanding-in-Chief, Northern connectivity as one of the most financial year 2018-19. Command Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, DG important aspects of development Raksha Mantri paid rich tribute BRO Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Ladakh adding that new avenues can to Col Chewang Rinchen, saying Member of Parliament Shri Jamyang be opened through people-to- that his courage and valour is a Tsering Namgyal and other senior people contact. Saying that BRO is source of inspiration to one and officers of Army, BRO and Ministry utilising over Rs 900 crore for the all. He also felicitated Dr Phunsog of Defence were present on the development of Ladakh, Raksha Angmo, daughter of Col Rinchen, occasion. Mantri expressed confidence that the for the contribution made by her Sandwiched between strategic region will soon become a hub for father in the service of the nation. Karakoram and Chang Chenmo ranges, the ‘Col Chewang Rinchen Setu’ is a 430-metre bridge built at an altitude of about 15,000 feet using Micro Piling Technology. The construction has been completed in record time within 15 months. Col Chewang Rinchen, born on November 11, 1931 at Sumur, Nubra Valley in Ladakh region, is known as the “Lion of Ladakh” for his extraordinary acts of courage in defending Leh and Partapur sector. He is one of only six Armed Forces personnel to have been twice awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest Indian Gallantry Award. A view of the Col Chewang Rinchen bridge over River Shyok in Eastern Ladakh - PRO Defence November 1-15, 2019 Sainik Samachar 5 RM urges Scientists to strive for making India global leader in cutting-edge defence technology aksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Rhas called upon defence scientists to strive for developing cutting-edge technologies indigenously to make India not only self-reliant in defence manufacturing but also global leader in the field. Raksha Mantri was speaking at the inaugural session of the 41st Directors’ Conference of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with the theme ‘Technology Leadership for Empowering India’, on the occasion of 88th birth anniversary of former President Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on October 15, 2019 in New Delhi. Emphasising that research and maintaining operational superiority is the need of the hour, Shri Rajnath Singh said, the world is changing and advanced & disruptive technologies are emerging at a rapid pace. He to achieve self-reliance in critical Stressing the need to bridge the called for developing ‘indigenous technologies. Development of technology gap for India to become innovation ecosystem’ with less technology should be cost effective a global leader in research and dependence on imported systems and time efficient, he added. development, Raksha Mantri urged 6 Sainik Samachar November 1-15, 2019 the scientists to focus on technologies that provide cutting edge capability and remain relevant for the next 15-20 years.