SIRSA: Defence secretary Sanjay Mitra visited the Air Force base at Sirsa on Saturday. He was accompanied by Air Marshal SB Deo, Vice-Chief of Air Staff.

HT PHOTPDefence secretary Sanjay Mitra (third from left) before taking a sortie in a Su30 MKI aircraft at the Indian Air Force base in Sirsa on Saturday.

The defence secretary and the Air Marshal flew a sortie each in Su-30 MKI squadron based at Sirsa. The mission was flown in a dense network-centric environment as part of the ongoing pan India IAF level exercise Gaganshakti.

The two-week long exercise, being conducted by the IAF, is one of the biggest so far in terms of participation of forces, intensity of operations and scale of logistical support, a defence release said. The defence secretary and the Air Marshal also interacted with the personnel of the base.

Ex-servicemen walk for martyrs

IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE CIVILIANS AND EXSERVICEMEN MEET AND DO SOMETHING TOGETHER FOR A NOBLE CAUSE

Here we are on a beautiful morning in April, all ready for a walkathon. This one is, however, different from a sporting event that’s usually dominated by youngsters. Ek Kadam Shahidon Ke Naam (One step for the martyrs) has been organised by ex-servicemen from Ambala for India’s martyrs – soldiers killed in action.

■ The writer with other participants during the walkathon in Ambala.Two groups are participating in the event, one starting from Ambala city and another from Ambala Cantonment with both converging at the Jaggi City Centre for a small cultural programme and refreshments.

I am with the Ambala Cantt group and we take off on the dot at 6.45 am from the Phoenix Club. It is a 5-km route along the GT Road. As convenor of the Ambala Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) I am happy to be walking with INTACH members Vipin Malhotra and Saighalji and many spirited ladies, all our aching limbs and tiredness forgotten. As the ladies request that we slow down, we pause for a group photograph and then walk on to remember our heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

Bhalla Saheb, an IAF ex-serviceman becomes nostalgic as we pass the Air Force Station where he had been posted 50 years ago. At 82, this tall, slim, and straight ‘young man’ matches steps perfectly with the rest of us.

Finally, we realise we have done it! Approaching Jaggi City Centre near the Kingfisher Resort, on the AmbalaChandigarh highway, we find over a thousand people, neatly seated, and enjoying the cultural programme. Many people have come from villages close by, including families of ex servicemen. A woman sarpanch recounts the sacrifices of her husband (a Subedar in the army) who died fighting the enemy on the India-Pakistan border. Then there are people reciting poems, one eulogising Shaheed Bhagat Singh and another highlighting India’s unity in diversity. The atmosphere is charged with positive energy and we all seem to be suddenly connected by a single thread – desh bhakti (love for the nation).

As we enjoy the programme, relishing our healthy breakfast served at the venue, some veterans take the stage to salute our martyrs. There are cheers as Subedar Multani Saheb and his dedicated team (organisers) request the chief guest, Dr R C Mishra, additional director general of police, to give away awards to walkathon participants who are above 85 years of age. How beautiful!

As the event comes to an end we promise to meet again, realising how wonderful it is to have civilians and ex-servicemen meet and do something together for a noble cause.