Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding, Spear Corps, formally flagged in the 14-day National Integration Tour organized for 30 girl students from various tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.

The tour, which covered key locations including Jorhat, Kaziranga, Guwahati, Shillong, and Kolkata, provided the participants with an opportunity to explore India beyond their immediate surroundings, broadening their perspectives and strengthening their sense of national identity.

Throughout the journey, the students were introduced to India’s rich cultural diversity, historical landmarks, and modern developmental initiatives, reinforcing the ethos of ‘Unity in Diversity’. The initiative aimed at fostering awareness, confidence, and aspirations among the young participants, encouraging them to become active contributors to nation-building.

The National Integration Tour remains a crucial effort by the Indian Army to bridge regional and cultural differences, providing the youth from remote areas with a deeper understanding of the nation’s shared heritage and collective future.

A total of 213 Infantry Officers, including officers from 10 Friendly Foreign Countries (FFC), successfully completed the Young Officers (YO) Course at The Infantry School, Mhow. The rigorous training program is designed to enhance the combat proficiency of young officers, focusing on Platoon and Company Weapons and Tactics to prepare them for leadership roles in operational environments.

Outstanding Performers Recognized

Among the participants, Lieutenant Ripunjay Naithani was adjudged the Overall Best Student for his exemplary performance throughout the course.

Officers from Friendly Foreign Countries also excelled in specialized areas:

• Lieutenant Kesanga Dolkar (Bhutan) was awarded Best in Support Weapons
• Captain JKKG Jayasinghe (Sri Lanka) was awarded Best in Platoon Weapon
• Lieutenant Chimi Renzin (Bhutan) was awarded Best in Tactics

The award winners were felicitated by Lieutenant General Gajendra Joshi, Commandant, The Infantry School, in a ceremony that celebrated their achievements and dedication.

The Infantry School, Mhow, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping future military leaders, fostering international military cooperation, and strengthening combat readiness through high-quality professional training.

Major General Vikas Bhardwaj, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Jharkhand & Bihar Sub Area, visited the Bihar Regiment Centre (BRC), Danapur Cantt, to assess the training and administrative infrastructure for Agniveers.

During his visit, the GOC reviewed the training facilities, focusing on realistic combat drills, physical conditioning, and tactical preparedness aimed at equipping the trainees with the skills required for modern battlefield challenges.

He appreciated the Centre’s initiatives in imparting high-quality, practical training, ensuring that the Agniveers develop into disciplined and competent soldiers.

Interacting with the trainees and instructors, Major General Bhardwaj commended their dedication and commitment to the rigorous training regimen. He encouraged them to strive for professional excellence, emphasizing the importance of discipline, teamwork, and adaptability in their journey as future warriors of the Indian Army.

The visit reinforced the Army’s commitment to enhancing training standards and operational readiness, ensuring that the next generation of soldiers is well-prepared to serve the nation with pride and dedication.

In a significant step toward enhancing joint military synergy, the Indian Army’s Gurj Division hosted a familiarization visit for Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel at Mamun Military Station in Pathankot. The initiative, aimed at fostering jointmanship and camaraderie, underscores the armed forces’ commitment to improving coordination and interoperability for future operations.

A series of activities designed to deepen mutual understanding of each service’s capabilities. Photographs shared with the post showcased IAF personnel interacting with Army units, inspecting advanced military equipment such as drones and weaponry, and participating in group sessions under the banner of the Synergy campaign.

The event also featured demonstrations of cutting-edge military technology, including drones and firearms, as seen in the shared images of personnel closely examining equipment.

This collaboration at Mamun Military Station, located in the Pathankot region of Punjab, builds on the Indian Army’s historical presence in the area. The latest initiative further solidifies the region’s role as a hub for military innovation and cooperation.

As India continues to navigate complex geopolitical challenges, this joint exercise serves as a model for future collaborations, reinforcing the mantra “United in Mission, Unmatched in Strength” shared by the Rising Star Corps.

The event not only strengthens the bond between the Indian Army and Air Force but also reaffirms their shared dedication to safeguarding the nation’s security.

Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, a decorated Param Vir Chakra recipient for his extraordinary bravery during the 1999 Kargil War, was honored with a visit to Sanjay Dweep, an island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands named after him.

The visit, hosted by the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), marked a proud moment for the Indian Armed Forces and highlighted the Government of India’s initiative to commemorate the nation’s bravest soldiers.

Sanjay Dweep, previously an unnamed island, was renamed in 2022 under a special initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honor 21 Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees, India’s highest military decoration for valor.

The renaming, announced on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary (Parakram Diwas), reflects the government’s commitment to preserving the legacy of military heroes, particularly those from Uttar Pradesh, where Kumar hails from.

During his visit, Kumar was joined by personnel from the Andaman and Nicobar Command, India’s only tri-service command integrating the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The ANC, based in Port Blair, plays a critical role in safeguarding India’s strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca, a vital maritime chokepoint for global trade.

The command’s personnel paid tribute to Kumar, standing in solidarity with the PVC awardee in front of the island’s signboard, which proudly displays the Indian tricolor and his name in both Hindi and English.

Photographs from the event show Kumar, dressed in his military uniform, standing before the Sanjay Dweep signboard, flanked by ANC personnel offering salutes. A second image captures a group of service members from all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—standing in formation, paying respects to Kumar and the legacy he represents.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory comprising 572 islands, are strategically located in the Bay of Bengal, near Myanmar and Indonesia. The archipelago, which spans India’s southeastern maritime frontier, is vital for national security, countering threats like narcotics smuggling, piracy, and foreign vessel intrusions.

The ANC’s role in maintaining vigilance over key maritime channels, such as the Six Degree Channel and the Ten Degree Channel, underscores the region’s importance to India’s defence strategy.

Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar’s visit not only celebrates his heroic contributions during the Kargil War but also reinforces the ANC’s commitment to honoring military valor while ensuring regional stability. The event has been widely shared on social media, with the ANC expressing pride in hosting Kumar and showcasing the unity of India’s armed forces in upholding national pride and security.

Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, presented the Veteran Achievers Award to two distinguished veterans for their significant contributions to the nation and society post-retirement. The awards were conferred during the Retiring Officers Seminar held in New Delhi.

Recognizing Exemplary Contributions

Colonel Kashmir Singh Dhillon (Retd) has dedicated himself to the welfare of veterans, Veernaris, and next of kin (NoK) by establishing a helpline in Makhu, Ferozpur, to assist in grievance redressal. Additionally, he runs a Motivation Centre, guiding and assisting youth in joining the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and state police, fostering a new generation of disciplined and service-oriented individuals.

Havildar Chhewang Stanzin (Retd) has embarked on an entrepreneurial venture focused on constructing Passive Solar Buildings, promoting environmental sustainability and green energy transition in the Ladakh region. His initiative has led to the development of eco-friendly buildings, including hostels for children and religious structures, ensuring sustainable infrastructure while preserving the region’s environmental balance.

A Lifetime of Service Beyond the Uniform

General Upendra Dwivedi lauded the dedication, leadership, and impact of the awardees, emphasizing that service to the nation does not end with retirement but evolves into new avenues of contribution. He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to supporting veterans who continue to serve society in various capacities.

The Veteran Achievers Award stands as a tribute to the selfless contributions of former soldiers who, even beyond active duty, remain dedicated to nation-building and community welfare. Their initiatives inspire future generations to uphold the values of service, discipline, and patriotism.