In This Issue Since 1909 AwardBIRTH of President'sANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Standard to 501 Signal Unit and 30 Squadron 4 (Initially published as FAUJI AKHBAR) Vol. 63 q No 22 25 Kartika - 9 Agrahayana, 1938 (Saka) 16-30 November 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 MoS for Defence Hasibur Rahman Homage to Martyrs at 6 8 Senior Editor Badgam Memorial Visits Western… Ruby T Sharma Coordination Business Manager Sekhar Babu Madduri Dharam Pal Goswami Our Correspondents DELHI: Wg Cdr Anupam Banerjee; Dhananjay Mohanty; Capt DK Sharma; Manoj Tuli; Nampibou Marinmai; Wg Cdr Rochelle D’Silva; Col Rohan Anand; Ved Pal; Photo Editor: K Ramesh; ALLAHABAD: Gp Capt BB Pande; BENGALURU: Shivaram Pailoor; CHANDIGARH: Pradip Dasgupta; CHENNAI: T Shanmugam; GANDHINAGAR: Wg Cdr Abhishek Matiman; GUWAHATI: Lt Col Suneet Newton; IMPHAL: Lt Col Ajay Kumar Sharma; JALANDHAR: .............. ; JAMMU: Lt Col Manish Mehta; JODHPUR: Lt Col Manish Ojha; KOCHI: Cdr Sridhar E Warrier ; 9 The COAS felicitates the… KOHIMA: Col Chiranjeet Konwer; KOLKATA: Wg Cdr SS Birdi; Dipannita Dhar; Interview: NDA Comdt Air 15 COAS Visits Forward Areas of… LUCKNOW: Ms Gargi Malik Sinha; MUMBAI: Cdr Rahul Sinha; Narendra Vispute; Marshal Jasit Singh Kler 10 NAGPUR: Wg Cdr Samir S Gangakhedkar; PALAM: Gp Capt SK Mehta; PUNE: 16 Visit of Chief of General Staff… Mahesh Iyengar; SECUNDERABAD: B Satheesh Kumar; SHILLONG: Gp Capt Amit Mahajan; SRINAGAR: Col Rajesh Kalia; TEZPUR: Lt Col Sombith Ghosh; 17 Commissioning of 4th IPV ICGS… THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suresh Shreedharan; UDHAMPUR: Col NN Joshi; 18 64th International Congress of… VISAKHAPATNAM: Cdr CG Raju. 20 Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Published by: Nitin D Wakankar 24 154 Inf Bn (TA) Bihar Awarded… Offg Addl DG (Media & Communication) Directorate of Public Relations, South Block, 25 Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Military… Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-110011 Regulars Follow us on: 35 Armed Forces Panorama www.facebook.com/DefenceMinIndia https://twitter.com/spokespersonMoD 26 Editorial Office: Lamp Lighting Ceremony L-1 Block, Church Road, New Delhi-110001, 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 award ceremony of President's Standard to 501 Signal Unit and 30 Squadron Award of President's Standard to 501 Signal Unit and 30 Squadron he President of India and the officials from Haryana Government, TSupreme Commander of Indian Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief Armed Forces, Mr Pranab Mukherjee of Air Staff, Air Marshal SB Deo, awarded the prestigious President’s AOC-IN-C, Western Air Command, Standard to 501 Signal Unit and 30 Air Marshal Ravinder Kumar Squadron on November 10, 2016 Dhir, AOC-IN-C, South Western at a magnificent ceremonial parade Air Command along with other held at Air Force Station Ambala. dignitaries were also present on the The Station Commander of 501 occasion , besides a host of serving Signal Unit Group Captain Vineet and retired officials of the recipient Jindal and Commanding Officer of units. 30 Squadron, Wg Cdr Abhay Arun The event included a Phansalkar received the President’s ceremonial parade, Aerobatic Standard. display by ‘Sarang’ and ‘Surya Kiran The ceremony was also graced Aerobatic Team’ and a synchronised by Mr Kaptan Singh Solanki, The President of India and the Supreme drill demonstration by Air Warrior Governor of Haryana, Mrs Monohar Commander of Indian Armed Forces, Drill Team. Addressing the parade, Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Mr Pranab Mukherjee addressing the parade Mr Pranab Mukherjee said that 501 Haryana and Senior Government during President's Standard Presentation Signal Unit and 30 Squadron had a President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee and Chief of the Air Staff, The President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee releasing First day Cover of Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha 501 Signal Unit and 30 Squadron The President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee reviewing the ceremonial parade 4 Sainik Samachar November 16-30, 2016 The President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee awarding the prestigious The President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee awarding the prestigious President's Standard to 501 Signal Unit President's Standard to 30 Squadron this glorious chapter in the annals of the history of IAF, the President of India also released First Day Covers for both the units. The President’s Standard are bestowed upon a unit in recognition of the dedication and meritorious service rendered by it, which represents the honour of a unit and is displayed with pride on ceremonial occasions. It is akin to the “Nishaan’ that used to be carried by our erstwhile fighting forces, whose personnel would fight till the The President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee at the photo exhibition. Present on the occasion were last man and last drop of blood to Governor of Haryana Mr Kaptan Singh Solanki, Chief Minister of Haryana Mr Monohar Lal Khattar and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha protect the “Nishaan”. The award of rich tradition of valour and courage in relentless efforts in pursuit of President’s Standard serves not only as a source of inspiration and esprit and had rendered distinguished excellence and set an example for de corps among the fighting forces, service to the nation both during others to emulate. peace and war since their inception. but is also a symbol of excellence. He added that their personnel, A photo exhibition was also - Wg Cdr Anupam Banerjee both past and present, had put organised on the occasion. To mark pix: Rakesh Mangraj November 16-30, 2016 Sainik Samachar 5 Homage to Martyrs at Badgam Memorial he Karewa highground in TBadgam, witnessed a major battle fought by the brave soldiers of Indian Army on November 3, 1947 to prevent the Kabaili raiders from reaching the strategic airport which eventually proved decisive in saving Srinagar. Defence Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar paid homage to Maj Somnath Sharma, the hero of that battle who had attained martyrdom while leading his men to defeat the raiders’ designs despite being heavily outnumbered. For this exceptional bravery and sacrifice Maj Somnath Sharma was awarded the first Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award in the country. Accompanied by the Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda, Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen JS Sandhu and Victor Force Commander Maj Gen Ashok Narula, the Defence Minister laid wreaths at the memorial and interacted with the troops, veterans and their families. Amongst those present were several senior officers 6 Sainik Samachar November 16-30, 2016 of the Kumaon Regiment such as Lt Gen Bobby Mathews and the Commanding Officer of 4 Kumaon Battalion which has 'Srinagar' as the unit Battle Honour. The occasion bore the solemnity that it deserved and was also a confluence of the past and the present as the veterans and the serving soldiers interacted freely with the Defence Minister. In his interaction with the veterans, the Defence Minister listened to a number of issues raised by them and assured them of their expeditious addressal. In his address to the troops, the Defence Minister expressed his delight to be amidst them to mark this momentous occasion in history and reiterated the nation’s pride and support for the entire soldier fraternity. The Defence Minister also paid tributes at the Somnath Memorial at Srinagar Airport. Earlier in the day, the Defence Minister interacted with the soldiers in Badami Bagh where he complimented them for their devotion to duty and reassured that the whole nation recognised their commitment and sacrifice and stood resolute behind them. - Col Rajesh Kalia November 16-30, 2016 Sainik Samachar 7 MoS for Defence Visits Western Naval Command inister of State (MoS) for Defence Dr Subhash MBhamre visited the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy during his visit to Mumbai on November 11, 2016. He was received by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command at the Headquarters and was also given an overview of the scope and charter of activities of the Command. He then proceeded to visit one of the Navy's front line warship, a guided missile destroyer, INS Kochi. The MoS for Defence was received onboard INS Kochi by the Commanding Officer and thereafter taken around the ship, including the Operations Room and the Machinery Control Room. The MoS for Defence evinced keen interest in the ship and had interactions with the MoS for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre being received by Vice officers and men aboard. Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western - Cdr Rahul Sinha Naval Command Dr Subhash Bhamre onboard guided missile destroyer, INS Kochi 8 Sainik Samachar November 16-30, 2016 The COAS felicitates the Indian Army Cambrian Patrol Team en Dalbir Singh, the Chief of Gthe Army Staff, felicitated the Indian Army team which achieved the Gold Standards in Cambrian Patrol, at South Block, on October 27, 2016. The team of two officers and nine soldiers of 2nd Battalion 8th Gorkha Rifle led by Capt Nikhil Nikam had participated in the exercise conducted in Wales, UK. The COAS complimented the team for the professionalism displayed by each member and awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card to the team members.