In This Issue Since 1909 WorldBIRTH Navies ANNIVERSARY United CELEBRATIONS Through Oceans 4 (Initially published as FAUJI AKHBAR) Vol. 63 q No 4 27 Magha - 10 Phalguna, 1937 (Saka) 16-29 February 2016 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 PM Addresses the Hasibur Rahman Beating the Retreat 8 12 Senior Editor Editor 2016 NCC Rally Ruby T Sharma Ehsan Khusro Coordination Business Manager Sekhar Babu Madduri Dharam Pal Goswami Our Correspondents DELHI: Dhananjay Mohanty; Capt DK Sharma; Manoj Tuli; Nampibou Marinmai; Wg Cdr Rochelle D’Silva; Col Rohan Anand; Ved Pal; ALLAHABAD: Gp Capt BB Pande; BENGALURU: Dr MS Patil; CHANDIGARH: Parvesh Sharma; CHENNAI: T Shanmugam; GANDHINAGAR: Wg Cdr Abhishek Matiman; GUWAHATI: Lt Col Suneet Newton; IMPHAL: Lt Col Ajay Kumar Sharma; JALANDHAR: Naresh Vijay Vig; JAMMU: Lt Col Manish Mehta; JODHPUR: Lt Col Manish Ojha; KOCHI: Cdr Sridhar E Warrier ; KOHIMA: Lt Col E Musavi; KOLKATA: Wg Cdr SS Birdi; 10 President of India Confers… Dipannita Dhar; LUCKNOW: Ms Gargi Malik Sinha; MUMBAI: Cdr Rahul Sinha; 11 Quasquicentennial Day… Tribute to Siachen Narendra Vispute; Wg Cdr Samir S Gangakhedkar; Gp Capt SK NAGPUR: PALAM: 14 NCC Republic Day Camp 2016 Miracle… 20 Mehta; PUNE: Mahesh Iyengar; SECUNDERABAD: MA Khan Shakeel; SHILLONG: Gp Capt Amit Mahajan; SRINAGAR: Col NN Joshi; TEZPUR: Lt Col Sombith Ghosh; 18 Defence Minister Presents… THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suresh Shreedharan; UDHAMPUR: Col SD Goswami; 19 Gen KV Krishna Rao… VISAKHAPATNAM: Cdr CG Raju. 26 International Maritime… Published by: Nitin D Wakankar 30 Raising Day Celebrations Offg Addl DG (Media & Communication) 32 Gallantry and Other Defence… Directorate of Public Relations, South Block, 36 Golden Jubilee of 15 Grenadiers Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-110011 Follow us on: Regulars 37 Armed Forces Panorama www.facebook.com/DefenceMinIndia https://twitter.com/spokespersonMoD Army Dental Corps Celebrates 28 Editorial Office: L-1 Block, Church Road, New Delhi-110001, Platinum Jubilee… Telefax : 23094668 Telephone : 23092768 Email : [email protected] E-in-C: ASCON-32078 [email protected] For subscriptions contact : Business Manager, Sainik Samachar, Telephone : 23092768 Subscription Rates: Inland (Ordinary): One Year Rs 100.00, Overseas (Surface Mail): Rs 450.00 Concessional (per year): Rs 20.00 (Applicable for dependants of service personnel & ex-Servicemen.) For all correspondence subscribers must quote their subscription number For more details visit our website: http://sainiksamachar.nic.in On front cover: President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee at International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam. Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan are also seen in the picture. INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW 2016 World Navies United Through Oceans on’ble President and the HSupreme Commander of the Armed Forces of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, reviewed the Fleet comprising naval warships from Indian as well as frontline foreign navies on February 6, 2016. This was the 11th Fleet Review after Independence and the second with participation of foreign navies. After a 21-Gun salute and ceremonial Guard of Honour, the President embarked INS Sumitra, an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) designated President receiving the IFR memento from Defence Minister as the ‘Presidential Yacht’. The President was received by the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar and Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff. On leaving harbor, the President’s Yacht weaved through the 70 ships at anchorage off Visakhapatnam port. A spectacular fly-past was conducted as a part of the static review of the Fleet. During the final stage of the review, a mobile column of warships and submarines carried out high speed steam past alongside the Presidential yacht. Addressing the Fleet during the Review, the Hon’ble President said President receiving the salute during Guard of Honour that IFR 2016, while showcasing the prowess of the Indian Navy, has brought together navies from across the globe here on Indian shores, signifying our common desire to use the seas to promote peace, cooperation and friendship, as also to develop partnerships for a secure maritime future. In addition to 65 Indian Naval warships and three IN Submarines, the Review also included 24 foreign ships, two ships from the Indian Coast Guard and three Prime Minister receiving memento from Defence Minister from Mercantile Marine. Several 4 Sainik Samachar February 16-29, 2016 a grand salutation. The resounding sound of ‘Three Jais’ by the ships’ crew echoed over the waves symbolising the spirit of camaraderie and bonhomie across the seas. Along the way, the Hon’ble President also witnessed demonstrations in the form of breathtaking fly-past by Naval Air Arm and a daring display by the elite Marine Commandos. The fly- past comprised 15 formations of 45 aircraft including two formations from the Indian Coast Guard. It also President and Prime Minister onboard INS Sumitra keenly observing the ships at Review showcased the latest acquisitions of Anchorage during IFR-16 at Visakhapatnam the Indian Navy such as MiG29K, enthralling waterfront activities by sail boats, water skiing, display by Marine Commandos and helicopter demonstrations held the public mesmerised. As the presidential yacht passed between the review anchor columns, each ship dressed in full regalia, saluted the President. Each ship was manned by her ship’s company, dressed in white ceremonial uniform. In a moment that stood still in time, white caps were doffed in unison in President receiving the salute from the ships during the review February 16-29, 2016 Sainik Samachar 5 Navies of world also graced the occasion. In addition, Officers and crew members of visiting foreign ships also attended the mega event. The highlight of the event was the presence of Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut, the Brand Ambassadors of IFR, at the event. Cultural performances by Shiamak Davar troupe kept the adrenaline level high while Joe Barua Band, medley by Sameer and Abhiruchi enthralled the audience. Traditional Andhra origin dance Kuchipudi and Dhimsa was also showcased by the Gandham group. The programme culminated with a scintillating performance of the Sri Lankan Naval Band and dance troupe. The event formally culminated with performance by a Joint International Band Concert at the Naval Officers’ Institute this evening. Naval Bands from participating Navies along with host Indian Navy jointly presented a bouquet of music in front of Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, the Chief Guest for the event. Long Range MR aircraft P8I and AEW helicopter KM-31. Earlier, International Fleet Review 2016 formally kick started at Command Stadium, INS Satavahana in Visakhapatnam on February 5, 2016. Mr ESL Narasimhan, Hon’ble Governor of Andhra Pradesh was the Chief Guest while Mr N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh was the Guest of Honour. Members of Parliament, State Ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly and Legislative council of Andhra Pradesh and Chiefs of Naval Operations, Delegation Heads of 6 Sainik Samachar February 16-29, 2016 Mr ESL Narasimhan Governor of AP as Chief Guest and Mr N Chandrababu Naidu Chief Minister of AP Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony IFR 2016 Hawk aircraft flying over President’s yatch The Joint Band Concert, by numerous musicians from the navies across the globe was in perfect harmony, echoed the very theme of “Bridges through Ocean’ cementing the friendship through music during IFR. The musical extravaganza was witnessed by over 1000 spectators including many foreign dignitaries from participating Navies. - Cdr CG Raju pix: Photo Section (DPR) February 16-29, 2016 Sainik Samachar 7 Beating the Retreat 2016 eating the Retreat ceremony at Bthe Vijay Chowk on January 29th marked the culmination of the four- day-long Republic Day celebrations. This year, 15 Military Bands, 18 Pipes and Drums Bands from Regimental Centres and Battalions participated in Beating the Retreat ceremony. Besides one each of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force band also formed part of the event. This year for the first time bands from the State Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) performed at the ceremony. The bands comprising Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) and Delhi Police played the tunes ‘Samvidhan’, ‘Abhinandan’ and ‘Carriappa’. The Tri-Services Military Band, Indian classical instruments Sinfonietta and Jazz Symphonic Orchestra played the tune ‘Agyat Youvana’ and the Indian Classical Instruments Sinfonietta played the tune ‘Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyara Hai’ added flavour to the ceremony. As many as 20 out of 26 performances have been composed by Indian musicians. Other tunes 8 Sainik Samachar February 16-29, 2016 are ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’, ‘Senani’, ‘Lounden’s Bonnie Woods and Braes’, ‘the High Road to Linton’, ‘Mili Juli’, ‘Grandeur’, ‘Redetzky’, ‘Pankhida’, ‘Galaxy Raiders’, ‘Inspirato’, ‘Air Born’, ‘Admirals Ensignia-II’, ‘Jai Bharati’, ‘Sam Bahadur’, ‘Dhola Re Dhola’, ‘Taqat Watan Ki Hamse Hai’, ‘Salam To The Soldiers’, ‘Marching Through Georgia’, ‘Drummers Call’, ‘Abide With Me’ and lastly the ever-popular ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha’. The principal conductor of the its origins to the early 1950s when Beating Retreat ceremony was Cdr Major Roberts of the Indian Army VC D’Cruz while military bands indigenously developed the unique conductor was Sub Maj Ramesh ceremony of display by the massed Singh and the Navy and Air Force bands. ‘Beating Retreat’ marks a bands commander was Master Chief centuries old military tradition, when Petty Officer (Musician-I) Ramesh the troops ceased fighting, sheathed Chand and Junior Warrant Officer their arms and withdrew from the Ashok Kumar respectively.