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Dera Baba Nanak, November 9

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Kartarpur corridor, flagging off the first batch of over 500 Indian pilgrims here, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

The corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in this Punjab district.

Modi flagged off the first batch of pilgrims led by Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the corridor, which was thrown open days ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on November 12.

The prime minister inaugurated the passenger terminal building of the corridor on the Indian side, also known as the Integrated Check Post, where pilgrims will get clearance to travel through the newly-built 4.5 km-long corridor.

India had signed an agreement with the neighbouring nation on October 24 on the modalities for operationalisation of the corridor at ‘Zero Point’ of the international boundary at Dera Baba Nanak.

The first batch of pilgrims included Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Navjot Singh Sidhu.

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Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee members and all the 117 MLAs and MPs from Punjab were also part of the ‘jatha’ (delegation).

Before dedicating the corridor to the nation, Modi partook langar (community kitchen) along with Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore, Amarinder Singh and state Congress president Sunil Jakhar.

Donning a saffron coloured turban (head gear), Modi watched a video on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev. The prime minister was also shown a model of the Kartarpur corridor.

At the time of flagging off the jatha, Modi met Manmohan Singh, who was accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, and had a brief chat with him.

The state-of-the-art passenger terminal building, with a design inspired by ‘Khanda’- a symbol of faith in Sikh community, has been constructed on 15 acres of land.

The fully air-conditioned building, akin to an airport, has over 50 immigration counters for facilitating about 5,000 pilgrims a day.

It has all necessary public amenities such as kiosks, washrooms, child care and first-aid facilities, prayer rooms and snacks counters.

The project was executed by the central government agency Land Ports Authority of India.

On November 22 last year, the Union Cabinet had passed a resolution to celebrate the historic occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in a “grand and befitting manner” throughout the country and across the globe.

The Cabinet had also approved the building and development of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to the international boundary to facilitate pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib round the year in a smooth and easy manner. PTI

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6

A former disabled Lieutenant Colonel has sent a legal notice for defamation to a Lieutenant General, who retired on October 31, over views expressed by the latter on disabled soldiers and other military veterans demanding Rs 1 crore compensation for damages to reputation caused thereof.

In his notice sent through his lawyer, Lt Col Nijar Bakshi of Noida averred that in an interview given to a private news channel, Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar, who was the Adjutant General at Army Headquarters before hanging up his boots, spoke in an “irresponsible and abandoned manner” about various service subjects that were outside his purview and expressed views that were against the statements of the Defence Minister, statutory provisions and judgments of the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

The Adjutant General (AG), one of the principal staff officers to the Chief of Army Staff, is responsible for conditions of service, welfare, manpower, discipline, morale, legal affairs and fiscal matters.

Pointing out that the Lt General, on the eve of his retirement, spoke “disparagingly” about military pensioners and persons with disabilities conveying as if many such pensioners did not deserve disability benefits, the notice contends that his statements had breached the bar by contravening and challenging the authority of the Defence Minister as some of the issues were sub-judice or already being looked into by the Defence Minister.

‘Insult to veterans’

This has not only put disabled veterans to ridicule, but has also shamed the Government of India, which gives disability pension on its own as per its rules and has also been contemptuous of court orders. — Lt Col Nijar Bakshi 

Disability pension row may take a legal turn

new delhi : An army veteran has threatened to sue recently retired Adjutant General Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar for the latter’s comments on disability pension received by retired soldiers.

Lieutenant Colonel Niraj Bakshi (retd), who has threatened to sue General Kumar for a sum of ₹1 crore, has claimed the comments of the former Adjutant General has caused “irreparable damage” to his reputation as a disabled soldier, a disability pensioner and an upright military veteran and model citizen.

Bakshi has sought an“unconditional apology” from Kumar for speaking in an “irresponsible and abandoned manner”.

On the day Kumar retired, he spoke to media on disability pension paid to veterans and the proposed Code of Conduct for veterans to prevent misuse which he claimed was high.

Kumar did not respond to requests for comment.

The Silver Spitfire at Sonegaon Air Force Station near Nagpur.

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 5

Over 74 years after a squadron of the Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF), named after Bombay, came to India, a vintage aircraft that had served with the outfit during the Second World War has arrived in India as part of a 43,000-km circumnavigation expedition, bringing alive a historic link between the Indian Air Force and the RAF.

It has also revived nostalgia among aviators of what was perhaps the most iconic fighter of that era.

The aircraft, a Supermarine Spitfire fighter that was widely used during and after the war, touched down at Jodhpur airbase today after having traversed through Kolkata and Nagpur, where the flying machine and its crew are being hosted by the IAF.

Christened the ‘Silver Spitfire’ due to its gleaming all aluminum-toned airframe, this particular aircraft bearing the number MJ271 had entered RAF service in 1943. Though it served with various RAF units, it had, for a brief period, formed part of RAF’s No. 132 ‘Bombay’ Squadron that had come to the city in January 1945 and then moved on to Celyon (now Sri Lanka).

During its military service, the aircraft had flown a total of 51 combat missions. After having donned service colours, including that of the Netherlands, for over 70 years before being “de-militarised” and having its guns removed, it was restored to its present configuration with the call-sign G-IRTY. Touted as the longest flight expedition, launched in the 75th year of the D-Day landings at Normandy during WW-II, the spitfire, flown by Steve Brook and Matt Jones, will fly to 29 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America in its attempt to bring together nations in which the aircraft had flown.

It is after about 30 years that a Spitfire has taken to the skies in India. The erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force and thereafter the IAF operated this aircraft from 1943 to 1959 in the fighter and reconnaissance roles with 15 squadrons. The Spitfire also saw action during the defence of the Kashmir Valley in 1947.

The last flight of the Spitfire in India was at the Air Force Day parade in 1989 by an aircraft from the IAF’s Vintage Flight based at Palam Air Force Station in Delhi, which maintains several old aircraft in flying condition. Bearing tail number NH-631, this aircraft is presently on display at the IAF Museum there and the Air Force is looking at restoring it to make it airworthy for flying displays. Its sister aircraft that was among a lot sold as scrap by the Indian government is now flying in private hands in the US.

In February 2003, a near-intact Spitfire that had crashed in May 1947 was recovered from a river bed near the Ambala airbase during digging work. The airframe was reconstructed and it has been on static display at the base.

The Army remains steadfast that it will not tolerate homosex ..or adultery in its ranks despite Supreme Court judgements de ..

BEFOre invoking the avuncular responsibilities of the neighbouring CMs, Capt Amarinder Singh and ML Khattar, Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal must check his own house for air quality and ensure that it is good enough to inhale for the children of his state. Distributing lakhs of masks among schoolchildren serves no purpose other than offering a cheap political gimmick. It is the duty and obligation of ‘uncle Kejriwal’ to tackle the problem of air pollution. For that, he must focus on addressing the main culprits that are present in abundance throughout the year in Delhi: construction dust and vehicle emissions. Kejriwal’s convenient shifting of the blame wholly on to the farm fires of Punjab and Haryana for the aggravated toxic fumes that the hapless Delhiites have been enduring since Diwali exposes the hollowness of his government’s intent and ability to combat extreme air pollution.

It’s true stubble fires in Punjab have become a health hazard for the state and Chandigarh and it’s also that the Westerlies blowing towards the Capital carry noxious fumes of stubble-burning in the post-harvest season. Add the Diwali fireworks and the smoky concoction wreaks misery on the residents as micro-particles fester in their lungs and bloodstream. According priority to health, the Delhi Government would do well to focus on regulating the never-ending construction business and banning coal-based units, as also strictly adopting eco-friendly transport modes.

Taking note of the debilitating gas chamber that the NCR has become, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has declared a public health emergency in the region and banned crackers and construction at night for some time. Though this temporary directive will help tide over the immediate crisis, a permanent and sustainable solution is the key for clean air. While comprehensive environmental laws are in place, their enforcement is hindered by lack of political will. Is ‘uncle Kejriwal’ listening? Of course, the ‘nieces and nephews’ too need to chip in for ensuring a clear horizon. If Beijing can do it, so should Delhi.

As Jammu and Kashmir gets formally split into two UTs today, Tuesday’s gruesome killing in Kulgam of labourers from West Bengal is a grim reminder of the task at hand for the security grid — already out in full force to guard against incendiary protests and attacks after the state lost its special status. The terror handlers’ strategic switch to targeted killing of non-local truckers and labourers, as part of a campaign to deter them from working in Kashmir even if most of the victims have been Muslims, presents a new challenge. New Delhi has stated that UT status would ensure better integration with the Union, but it is now staring at an ever-widening chasm.

The bloodbath took place on the day of the controversy-ridden first visit by any international delegation after August 5. The government has chosen to side-step questions on the purpose and motive behind allowing European Union parliamentarians, many among them from extreme right or right-wing parties, to visit the Valley when Opposition MPs have been denied access all along. A few weeks ago, a US senator was refused permission. Shiv Sena raked up the issue of ‘internationalising’ the issue, reminding ally BJP how it continuously targets Pt Nehru for taking the Kashmir issue to the UN.

The credibility of the EU delegation got dented when a member claimed he was dropped from the trip because he asked for unfettered access for a fair assessment, and was ‘not prepared for a PR stunt and pretend all is well’. So, all is well, then? The EU parliamentarians have said nothing to the contrary. Terming Article 370 an internal issue of India, they vowed to stand by the country in its fight against terrorism. While one claimed the international media coverage seemed biased, another said the visit was an ‘eye-opener’. There was one positive note though for the Opposition to lap up: ‘You should also let in politicians from India. There is some kind of disbalance, the government should somehow address it.’

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Rendezvous Reunion 2019 and the Baal Mithai! (Autosaved)

Rendezvous Reunion 2019 and the Baal Mithai! By Col NN Bhatia (Retd) Nothing thrills me more than visiting the Kumaon Hills! But within the Kumaon Hills, Ranikhet has special attachment for every Kumaoni and Naga soldier and officer as it is abode of their Regimental Centre imparting basic military training to recruits to become top class soldiers. As customary in the Regiment, Regimental Reunion is held once in four years and Ranikhet starts buzzing with the activities and preparations for the gala event. The 16th Reunion of the Kumaon Regiment and the 10th one for the Naga Regiment was held from 19 October to 22 October 2019 preceding with the Biennial Battalion Commander’s Conference. Reunion holds a special significance for any regiment, where veterans of the regiment get together to invigorate their ties with the regiment along with serving officers, JCOs and other ranks posted in the Regimental Centre. Also, present during the Reunion were some gallantry awardees, personnel with outstanding performance in various fields and some of our ‘Veer Naris’. The Biennial Conference held once every two year coincides with the Reunion every fourth year providing a platform where the Commanding Officers of all the Battalions of the Regiment have an opportunity to interact with each other and high and mighty of the Regiment, review recruits’ training and resolve issues of their men under command with the Records Office. The Conference was chaired by the Colonel of the Regiment popularly called COR and some senior serving officers of the Regiment attended the meet. The agenda of the conference includes introspection of the policies and orders in vogue and their effect and based on that policy decisions regarding professional enhancement, social and personal welfare of the troops, their families, widows and the ‘Veer Naris’. The veterans like me only attend the Reunion and as per the programme sent by the Kumaon Regimental Centre (KRC), we were required to reach Kathgodam by 19 October. Since Col & Mrs AC Talwar, residing in Noida, were also attending the Reunion, we got our tickets booked online courtesy their daughter by morning 6.20 am New Delhi-Kathgodam Shatabdi. While we were contemplating hiring UBER taxi, our son Gaurav and granddaughter Ariaana arriving late in the midnight from Chennai the previous night, assured me not to worry and to drop us at New Delhi Railway Station the next day morning. At the Railway Station only the Reunion bonhomie commenced meeting so many couples including my nephew Arvind & his wife Gunjan (Maj Gen & Mrs Arvind Bhatia), Khannas, Datts, Bhuiyans travelling in the same compartment. Chit chatting and sumptuous breakfast offered in Shatabdi culminated our journey to Kathgodam at 11.40 am where each one of us was received by our Liaison Officer (LO) and escorted to Kumaon Regiment’s Rest Camp located close by on the road to NainitalRanikhet –Almora and beyond in the exotic Kumaon Hills. Incidentally, Kathgodam literally means timber depot. Till 1901, it was a small village with a population of 375. However, the importance of this place grew rapidly after it was brought on the Railway map of British India in 1909 and ever since is the railhead en route to picturesque Dev Bhoomi –the Kumaon Himalayas! Kathgodam witnesses tourists in large numbers, most of who are usually heading to hill stations like Nainital and beyond. However, there are a quite a few interesting places in and around Kathgodam that are worth visiting. Many more veteran officers and their graceful better halves had arrived at Kathgodam -many traveling by the same Shatabdi but some came by earlier trains, taxis and own cars. After wash, hot tea and light lunch provided at the Rest Camp, vehicles were provided to all invitees ferrying them to different locations where they were to be lodged in and around Ranikhet. I along Maj Gens & Mrs Tej kaul, Kakkar and Sohi drove in a 9 seater traveler to Windsor Lodge located ahead of Golf Course, Ranikhet. We passed through Jeolikot and stopped for tea at clean and well maintained Kainchi Mandir. Jeolikot is an ideal heavenly place to spend the summer holidays in a calm, secluded and cool environment, for nature lovers and those visitors interested in butter fly watching, floriculture and idling in star-lit wintry nights with natural earthly comforts as stress busters. The Kainchi Mandir founded by Neem Karoli Baba in 1962 has famous Hanuman Temple visited and fed by over one lakh people on 15 June Bhandara every year. The Baba attained Nirvana in 1973. The place is called Kainchi for two sharp hairpin bends on the motorable road and has nothing synonymous with the scissors. One can experience the amazing powers of meditation in Jeolikot and Kainchi Mandir by joining experts on meditation and yoga, in these tiny, calm villages ideal for solitude and healing. Kainchi Mandir Welcome Heritage Windsor Lodge, Ranikhet By 4 pm we reached Welcome Heritage Windsor Lodge. The room given to me was comfortable and cosy and except to little climb, had a clear view of the snow clad Trishul, Nanda Devi and other peaks. Evening of 19 Oct was kept free for all the regimental veterans to rendezvous (RV) at Ranikhet staying in various locations. I had to cancel plans to visit veteran friends Lt Gen Mohan Bhandari, Brig Jasbir Singh or visit bazaar to say hello to old acquaintances due to pooled mini bus. I also could not visit Jhula Devi, Kalika Mandir, Chaubatia and Tarikhet for the same reason! A word about Ranikhet As we all know, Ranikhet is the home for the Kumaon and Naga Regiments. It is located at an altitude of 6000 feet above the sea level, within sight of the western Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi and many more peaks of tremendous Hindu mythological significance. Ranikhet, which means Queen’s meadow in Hindi, gets its name from a local legend, that Raja Sudhardev won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose to live here giving it the name, Ranikhet which was first established as a cantonment town by the British Raj in 1869 and is the only cantonment in India to enjoy heritage status. The vestiges of the colonial era are still clearly apparent in this neat and tidy cantonment with various heritage hotels from that period and old churches, including a couple that are no longer in service but have been rightly converted into tweed and shawl factories by the KRC and run by the Veer Naris and ex-servicemen’s families. Panoramic view from Ranikhet Welcome Windsor Lodge The original Windsor Lodge was a hunting lodge built in 1909 amongst the thick and untamed forests of the region that were then teeming with wildlife and a prime favourite with the British and Indian upper strata of society till 1948, when a devastating fire reduced it to ruins. After half a century of neglect, renovation began on the Lodge in 1999 to restore it to its original architecture and hauteur. It is owned by Balbir Punj and has commanding view of snow-capped mountains, thick pine and cedar forests along the sweep of the Ranikhet Golf Course. 20 Oct 2019 The reunion commenced with wreath laying ceremony by paying homage to the martyrs at War Memorial. Thereafter we all assembled at Diwan Singh Hall for the Special Reunion Sainik Sammelan chaired and addressed by Lt Gen BS Sahrawat, AVSM, SM, and Colonel of the Regiment (COR) while the ladies attended Family Welfare Meet at Bhukant Mishra Hall. While ladies were advised by Mrs Sahrawat to become self reliant, pick up some vocation and support their husbands in the Welfare Centre and felicitated the widows and the ‘Veer Naris’, while the COR highlighted our regimental achievements and exhorted all ranks to strive hard for the good name of our Regiment. Besides, recruits, training and administrative staff and large numbers of veterans including over a dozen three star & two star generals attended the Sainik Sammelan. I was so happy to meet atleast 5 former CORs and as many perhaps former Centre Commandants! After the Sammelan Diwan Singh Hall reverberated with thundering sounds of Kumaon aur Naga Regiments Ki Jai, Kalkia Mata Ki Jai, Dada Krishan Ki Jai and we dispersed for Barakhana after photo sessions with the COR. The Barakhana was organised as traditionally in the Shaitan Singh Ground. Large numbers of ex-servicemen and their families along with recruits, Training and Administrative Battalions’ staff and Veer Naris attended the Barakhana. Good amount of beer and alcohol went down the throats of bone-homing former colleagues with the newer generation recruits, Jawans, NCOs and JCOs. There was traditional Naga dance, cultural programme, an odd Ragini and too much dancing over rhythmic Bedu Pako Bara Massa, O Bhina Kaske Janu Dwarhatta and Chenna Billori Jandiya Bajo though most of were out of steps due to age and over drinking beer /alcohol. The Barakhana gave veterans an opportunity to re-establish their connects with the rank and file of the Regiment and the Battalions they had served. The Barakhana carried beyond its schedule time 3 pm and all 13 Kumaon veterans and serving staff in the KRC met for the battalion get-together near the Regimental Canteen complex. It had added attraction since Lt Gen BS Sahrawat, AVSM, SM, the COR who was commissioned and commanded the Battalion graced the occasion with his presence. However, the presence was little thin perhaps due to commitments of the troops for organising various functions and Ahirs preferring postings around their home towns Kosli, Mahendargarh, Rewari and Etah and Etawah in the NCC rather than cooler hills of Ranikhet. Naga dance by Naga recruits in Barakhana is always a BIG attraction! Recruits and staff of 6 Kumaon’s Walong Company in Barakhana Dancing on Bedu Pako Bara Massa; while recruits are in steps most of us are not after few drinks!! In the evening we all collected at Som Nath Ground for Son-et Lumiere –the light and sound show on the history of our great Regiment nostalgically going through various phases of changes and reorganisations over 250 years of Nizam’s Hyderabad Regiment culminating in our present designation on 27 October 1945 as the Kumaon Regiment. Not an eye was left dry hearing and watching the battles of Badgam and Rezang La and the bravery and sacrifices of late Majors Som Nath Sharma (winner of the first PVC of the Country in 1947 operations) and Shaitan Singh on the frozen heights of Rezang La on 18 November 1962 and awarded Regiment’s second PVC. Our Regiment has distinction of being awarded 4 Ashok Chakras posthumously- Major B Mishra, Naik N Singh and Naik RS Tomar all from 15 Kumaon and Subedar Sujjan Singh of 13 Kumaon and both these Battalions have the rare honour of being declared as ‘The Bravest of the Brave’! We all must know and salute those battalions of the Indian Army that have earned minimum two highest gallantry awards i.e. 2 Param Vir Chakras (PVCs) or 2 Ashok Chakras (ACs) or 1 PVC and 1 AC and distinguishly called ‘The Bravest of Braves’. Our two Battalions 13 and 15 Kumaon (Indore) joined the galaxy of the few bestowed with this great, unique and rare honour that will inspire posterity forever. The Son-et Lumiere show was excellent conceptually and with little editing and reducing pre- 1947 history and adding onto our post independence operational achievements in 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971, Sri Lanka, counter insurgency and sports and adventure legends like Col Narender Kumar ‘Bull’ make it exceedingly motivating light and sound show. In the evening we all gathered in the Ranikhet Club for the social evening. There was song and dance show with plenty to eat, chat and drink. Most of us hit beds tired physically but not regimentally humming haunting Kumaoni songs Bedu Pako Bara Massa, O Bhina Kaske Janu Dwarhatta and Chenna Billori Jandiya Bajo and reminiscing past associations with our comrades both in peace and field tenures. I was happy to meet many officers and ladies and shared nostalgic anecdotes of the past. 21 October 2019 There was Mandir parade (prayer meeting colloquially called in the Army) in Regimental Mandir but not compulsory to attend for the veterans. Since old veteran friend Lt Gen Mohan Bhandari (7 GARHRIF) lives near the State Bank of India adjacent to Ranikhet Bazaar located in the vicinity of the regimental ‘Mankameshwar Mandir’, I made use of it to visit Gen Bhandari over a quick cup of tea and bagful of memories, and meet Uma- who as a small 6-7 years old girl used to sell vegetables near the patrol pump when I was posted in Ranikhet (my family continued stayed in Ranikhet during 1973-78). She though school dropout was exceptionally sharp in calculations and seeing me after over four decades was emotionally so much overjoyed that had tears in her eyes and I used to teasingly call her computer. Around Kalika Mandir Jhula Devi Mandir Regimental Mankameshwar Mandir Regimental Mankameshwar Mandir Regimental Museum In this cottage late Maj BC Sarma, (6 Kumaon, SRO stayed during Lt Col Ram Singh (Retd) as the Commandant Uma the computer Baal Mithai both versions And Baal Mithai! I rushed quickly to Pandey Sweet House for purchasing ‘Baal Mithai’- the blend of roasted khoya, jaggery and childhood memories whose influence and taste lingers in my family. My daughter in law living in Chennai wanted a kg of it for Diwali in both versions- the chocolate and the other rolled in small sugary balls. Though, I retired from the Army in1995, our daughter Neerja son Gaurav, wherever they served look for the Baal Mithai from anyone coming from the KUMAON Hills! Nothing thrills them more than a big bite of ubiquitous Baal Mithai. It is indeed a major logistic nightmare for me now to keep regular supply of the Baal Mithai to my kids and grand kids especially when professionally they are on globetrotting spree and I no more reside in the KUMAON Hills..!! Incidentally, for many known and unknown reasons over a century back, Joga Shah in Almora was the only one who made the best Baal Mithai with the famous creamy milk brought from the village Phalsima near Almora. He was a genius who invented sausage shaped dark brown Mithai wrapped in sugar dipped khas khas seeds. Later, commercialization and competition led to cutting the cost and sweet shops started covering it with sugary homeopathic pills. After Joga, Routela brothers – khem Singh and Mohan Singh made fortune selling Baal Mithai. The story goes that Joga Shah was actually a Christian called Joga Isai who became Hindu after invention and popularity of the Baal Mithai and made fortunes selling it after retiring as a cook from the British Indian Army. There was 15 Kumaon (Indore) get-together organised in the Regimental Family Welfare Centre appropriately named to honour martyr Maj Bhukant Misra, Ashok Chakra of the Battalion. I was specially requested by Col Tajinder Singh to attend as I had desired to present copy of the Coffee Table Book ‘Untold Battlefield Tales’ published by the Fauji Foundation that carries my article ‘ Malharis Battle of Gadra City, 1971’. I was impressed by the Malharis strength present for the get-together vis-a-vis others! I interacted with all, especially the Veer Nari Manju Ji whose husband Ashok was martyred, assuring her all help. Mrs Tajinder Singh distributed gifts to the veterans, widows and Veer Nari. Upat Golf Course Lunch As it was getting rather late, for the afternoon lunch in the Golf Course, I rushed to Upat where everybody was in a picnic mood. The focus shifted towards the picturesque Golf Course, covered with lush green hills in the background. It was picnic time for officers, their families including children and veterans like me. Many serving officers, ladies and veterans clubbed the game while others like me reconnected with serving and retired officers of the Regiment. I was humbly amused that though many I had not met, some had read my articles, books or watched a few TV shows on POWs and matters military in which I had appeared. There was liberal flow of drinks and snacks and after distribution of gifts, golf caps and trophies and presents to the winners of various golfing events, we had sumptuous lunch and while others rushed back to their dwellings for some much needed rest, the Beraris assembled at Shaitan Singh Ground for the Battalion get-together that was well organised by the Battalion with sizeable gathering of the serving and retired Officers, JCOs, Jawans and their families. Col Alok Mishra, CO 2 Kumaon (Berar) gave symbolic reunion gift to everyone and we parted quickly for the evening Officers’ Mess function. Beraris- the Oldest link to the Kumaon Regiment who believe in the motto ‘Once a Berari is always a Berari’ The Grand Finale- Reunion Dinner Since Lt Gen BS Sahrawat, AVSM, SM, the COR was to retire on 31 Oct 2019, he desired all 13 Kumaon serving and veteran officers and ladies to meet them in the Kumaon Villa located within Officers’ Mess premises for a parting drink. He had invited the Centre Commandant and some of his course mates also. Quickly after the event, we moved to Officers’ Mess as Lt Gen PC Thimmaiah, PVSM, VSM GOC-in-C, ARTRAC; the chief guest was soon to arrive. The Officers’ Mess was well decorated and pleasantly much renovated and modified. The Archives Section created recently was a great hit with the visitors. Many of us signed Visitors’ Book and saw Archives Section in the Officers’ Mess There was a large gathering of Regimental serving and veterans and Officers from Chaubatia Brigade famously also called the Congo Brigade. The ladies looked glamorous decked in their sensuous chiffon and silk sarees wearing expensive French perfumes likes of Chanel, Layton Eau-de Perfum, Christian Dior and the gentlemen not far behind with Bentley and Dunhill! The Regimental brass and string band, perhaps best in the Armed forces, played and sang enchanting Kumaoni, English and Hindi songs. Mrs Marwah, the former first lady of the Regiment enthralled audience with the scintillating Kumaoni numbers and we all danced rhythmically. The Biennial and the Reunion culminated with the Reunion dinner. It was during the dinner that Reunion Trophy was unveiled by Lt Gen BS Sahrawat, AVSM, SM, the COR. The trophy has been dedicated to the Kumaon Regiment to commemorate the Reunion 2019. It is here the outgoing COR formally announced that on his superannuation on 31 October 2019, the new COR will be Lt Gen RP Kalita, AVSM, SM, VSM, (9 Kumaon) presently Chief of Staff, HQ Eastern Command who was also gracing the Reunion and was greeted with thunderous applause. I am firm in my belief the Regiment will achieve further glory and laurels under his outstanding dynamic leadership. Both the Army Commander ARTRAC and the Chief of Staff HQ Eastern Command promised me that they would come to Delhi on Rezang La Day and release of my Coffee Table Book ‘Reminiscing Rezang La’ on 18 November 2019 – The Rezang La Day! They say, ‘All good things must come to an end’ and so did the Reunion 2019 with the grand finale Reunion Dinner. The Army is not a service but a way life, the Regimental Centre is not just garrison of troops to train recruits but ‘Home’ for the serving and the veteran soldiers and no other event, but, the Reunion at KRC showcased it better. Man eaters of Kumaon caged in KRC Officers’ Mess The KRC Tigers & the Visitors’ Book 22 October 2019 During Reunion dinner the previous evening, Brig and Jasbir dwelled on me for morning breakfast at their beautiful ‘Valley View Villa’ across Majkhali. They sent their car to pick me up and I had quick sumptuous breakfast and yearning chat before saying ‘au revoir’ to Brig & Mrs Jasbir Singh and their unbelievable 14 beautiful pooches! This one is just one of the 14 beauties Bidding good bye along with small gifts to Sepoy Ankit Kumar (Sahayak from13 Kumaon) and Naik Thakur Singh (LO from 15 Kumaon), I along with others boarded our Traveler Mini bus to Kathgodam where we had hot tea, and lunch and boarded 3.30 pm Shatabdi back to Delhi.

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 28

The Kangra police have arrested an Army soldier Hanuman Singh, a resident of Haryana, posted in Dharamsala for murder of a Baijnath-based taxi driver.

The Ranital police had discovered body of taxi driver Ashwani near Bathu bridge on Kangra Ranital national highway. The deceased had four gunshot wounds in back and head. The taxi of Ashwani was also missing.

Addressing a press conference here today Superintendent of Police Kangra, Vimukt Ranjan, said that initially it was a blind murder case. The police resorted to technical investigation like tracking of mobiles and detailed analysis of CCTV cameras along the Kangra Ranital road to crack the case.

Later, the taxi of the deceased was also found from the Army cantonment area. Police investigation revealed that the murder was committed by Army jawan Hanuman Singh who suspected the deceased of having illicit relations with his wife.

The investigation revealed that suspecting the accused of having illicit relations with his wife, Hanuman Singh on September 23 called and hired the taxi of Ashwani. After reaching Bathu bridge near Ranital, the Army jawan asked the taxi driver to stop the car to help him click some photos. He asked the taxi driver to click some photos for him. As the driver turned back to click his photos, the jawan took out his pistol and fired two shots at his back. The taxi driver fell down.

To make sure that the taxi driver was dead, the army jawan then fired two shots to the head of driver. He left the deceased on the spot and drove his vehicle to Army area and joined back duty.

The Superintendent of Police said that further investigation into case was going on. The accused army jawan was produced in local court of Dharamsala that remanded him into police custody for four days. A case of murder has been registered against the accused Army jawan.

Taxi found in cantt

• The Ranital police had discovered body of taxi driver Ashwani near Bathu bridge on the Kangra Ranital national highway. The deceased had four gunshot wounds in the back and head
• Later, the taxi of the deceased was also found from the Army cantonment area. Police investigation revealed that the murder was committed by Army jawan Hanuman Singh who suspected the deceased of having illicit relations with his wife

Jammu, October 25

General Officer Commanding (GOC), Rising Star Corps, Lt Gen JS Nain, on Friday visited forward location of “Tiger Division’ to review the operational preparedness of the forces.

During the visit, the General Officer took stock of the security apparatus in the sensitive forward areas and complimented troops in successfully maintaining a high state of vigil. The General Officer exalted the troops to be vigilant towards the external threats facing the country and maintained a high state of readiness. The General Officer reviewed the deployment in the entire forward region of Tiger Division and appreciated efforts being made by security agencies to enhance the levels of preparedness. — OC

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 26

Six Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured when suspected militants hurled a grenade at a ‘naka’ party near Government Medical College (GMC) in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar on Saturday evening.

The police and security forces cordoned off the area to track down the attackers. CRPF Inspector General Ravideep Sahai said that militants hurled a grenade around 7 pm on a column of CRPF manning a check-post in Karan Nagar area. Eyewitnesses said some gunshots were also heard.

The injured CRPF personnel were immediately shifted to hospital for treatment. The grenade explosion and subsequent firing created panic in nearby Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital where people suspected a stand-off began between militants and the security forces.

The attack took place at a time when security is being beefed up ahead of the formal bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — Ladakh and J&K — on October 31.