Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 16

Tributes were paid to the martyrs of 1971 war between India and Pakistan during a programme organised at the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Memorial here today.Senior advisor to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Lt General TS Shergil (Retd), was the chief guest. Before this, Shergil also laid a wreath at the memorial of flying officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon.Addressing the gathering, Shergil said Indian soldiers fought several battles — first to attain freedom and then to save the country from the external forces. He asserted that Punjabi soldiers had remained in the forefront in all battles.He said the battle of 1971 was prominent because it led to the birth of a new country — Bangladesh — which was earlier known as East Pakistan.He said before the battle, millions of Pakistani soldiers had entered the Indian territory which had then posed a challenge to the Indian Army.He applauded the Punjab Government’s ‘Guardians of governance scheme’, under which the ex-servicemen would help the government in ensuring that welfare schemes reach the poor and the needy on time.On this occasion, widows of war martyrs were honoured. Schools students also presented patriotic songs to pay tributes to the martyrs.Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal graced the occasion with his presence.

FUNCTION AT WAR MESEUM AT LUDHIANA

VIJAY DIVAS COMMEMORATION IN LUDHIANA. Wreath laying  at Flt Lt Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon  PVC statue and a get together of about 600 ESM and 200  school students at War Museum. Interesting fact narrated by Lt Gen T S Shergill that all the Div Commanders in LIBERATION of Bangladesh were from Punjab.  4 Inf Div Maj Gen  M S Brar, 9 Inf Div Maj Gen Dalbir  Singh,  20 Mtn Div Maj Gen  Lachman Singh Lehl, GOC 101 Comn Zone Maj Gen Gurbux Singh Gill and later Maj Gen Gandharv Nagra. All under Lt Gen JS Aurora.

Punjabs role in liberation of Bangladesh. FM Sam Maneckshaw. Born in the heart of Punjab, Amritsar, began service with Punjabi troops in Frontier Force Regt and was the architect of strategic planning. 

 

A BRO machine removes snow from the Keylong-Udaipur road in Lahaul on Thursday. Photo: Jai Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 14

Despite adverse weather conditions, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) is geared up to open inter road links of Lahaul valley for traffic movement, which were blocked during the last three days after heavy snowfall occurred in the region.The BRO had yesterday started its snow clearance operation on the Keylong-Uaidpur-Darcha stretch to connect the main road link of the valley for traffic movement. Only six km road was cleared but in evening the district received mild snowfall again, hampering road clearing.Today again the BRO started its snow-clearance operation in the region, providing a ray of hope to the tribals that the BRO will open the road for traffic movement provided the weather stayed good in the coming days.Dorej Upask, a native of Keylong, told The Tribune “The weather was inclement today but the BRO has engaged its machinery and workforce in snow-clearance operation, which gave a ray of hope to us that soon the inter inks of valley will be restored for traffic movement.”BRO commander Colonel AK Awasthi said, “We started snow clearance operation in Lahaul yesterday but bad weather was hampering the progress of the work.” He said that as soon as the weather improved the BRO will intensify its snow-clearance operation in Lahaul valley to provide the people of the district transportation facility in the coming days.The residents of the district are urging the district administration and the state government to provide air services to move in and out of the district.

Gentleman Cadets celebrate after their graduation ceremony at the Officers Training Academy in Gaya on December 9, 2017. — AFP

Gaya, December 9

A total of 166 Gentleman Cadets were on Saturday commissioned as officers in the Army during the 12^th passing-out parade at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya.

Of the 166 newly inducted officers, four are foreigners while 14 belong to Assam Rifles.

Lieutenant General Mohammad Sharif Yaftali, Chief of Staff, Afghan National Army, was the reviewing officer of the passing-out parade, while Lieutenant General B S Negi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central command, was the chief host.

Yaftali was welcomed in customary Army’s buggy by Lieutenant General B S Negi and OTA and Gaya’s Commandant Lieutenant General V S Srinivas.

The reviewing officer gave away the awards to Cadets who performed well during the training. Dharmesh Kumar was awarded ‘Sword of Honour’ for his best performance in the TES-30 course.

Addressing the function, Afghanistan’s Army Chief of Staff congratulated Gentleman Cadets for their fine drill show and gave them best wishes for the future.

“Cadets should imbibe the qualities of being a disciplined soldier to be successful in career”, Yaftali admonished them.

The OTA, Gaya is the third pre-commissioning military academy in the country and was raised on July 2011 apart from Dehradun and Chennai.

The OTA was established,  near Paharpur village on the Gaya-Dobhi main road, to train both new entrants and serving Army personnel in different modes of conventional as well as non-conventional warfare. PTI

New Delhi, November 30The Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict on a PIL alleging discrimination against women in the recruitment for the Territorial Army (TA), the second line of defence after the regular army.“Judgment reserved”, a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said after arguments on behalf of the Centre, the petitioner and the amicus curiae appointed by the court.Petitioner Kush Kalra, in his plea, has alleged “institutionalised discrimination” against women for not being recruited in the TA. The court had earlier asked the Centre and the Army why women were not considered fit for the TA, in which actor Mohanlal and cricketers Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni are honorary members holding senior ranks. — PTI

Surinder Bhardwaj

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 25

The three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela — held to commemorate the martyrdom of the younger Sahibzade of Guru Gobind Singh — began here today.The Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib began at Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib. Giani Harpal Singh, Head Granthi, Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, performed ardas. A sea of devotees thronged Fatehgarh Sahib and long queues were witnessed at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib. More than 10 lakh devotees are expected to offer prayers.Kanwal Preet Brar, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated a ‘kavi darbar’ and an exhibition on the achievements of various government departments. A light-and-sound show ‘Sirhind Di Diwar’ will be organised. Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tourism Minister, will inaugurate the show.The DC and MLA Kuljit Nagra inaugurated a child protection and feeding booth set up by the Child Welfare Committee. The police have made elaborate security as well as traffic management arrangements.SSP Alka Meena said that to ensure foolproof security of the devotees, the mela has been divided into five sectors and each sector is headed by a SP-rank officer. For the first time, drone cameras and 150 CCTV cameras have been installed to keep watch on anti-social elements.As many as 5,500 police personnel and officers and NSS, NCC volunteers are on duty. Meanwhile, a large number of community kitchens have started serving langar to the devotees. Earlier, the second day of the mela used to be dominated by political conferences. This time, no such conference will be held.Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is expected to visit Fatehgarh Sahib to pay obeisance. On the concluding day, nagar kirtan will be held from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib and ardas will be performed.

Tight security

• To ensure foolproof security of the devotees, the mela has been divided into five sectors and each sector is headed by a SP-rank officer.
• For the first time, drone cameras and 150 CCTV cameras have been installed to keep watch on anti-social elements.

Governor, Speaker pay tributes to Sahibzade

Governor VP Singh Badnore (C), Speaker Rana KP Singh (R) and Gen Bhopinder Singh, former Lt Governor, Andaman and Nicobar, at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib on Monday. Tribune photo

Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 25Governor VP Singh Badnore, Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh and former Lt Governor, Andaman and Nicobar, Gen Bhopinder Singh paid obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib today. They were presented with ‘siropas’.The Governor paid tributes to the younger Sahibzade. The Speaker said the sacrifice of the Sahibzade was considered supreme in the annals of world history. “Their sacrifice at a tender age gives us strength to fight against tyrants and have faith in our religion. It will continue to guide us,” Rana KP Singh said.