Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: General-Officer-Commanding-in- Chief of the Northern Command, Lt Gen D S Hooda today urged the soldiers and the officers of the Command to rededicate themselves to the cause of the nation.
In his message during the 67th Army Day celebrations at the Northern Command headquarters, Udhampur today, Lt Gen Hooda extended his greetings and good wishes to all the ranks, veterans and civilian employees and their families working under his Command. Commending the service personnel for their unflinching devotion and dedication, he lauded all ranks for their pro-active response to the challenges during the recent floods in the State with “utmost alacrity and spontaneity”.
As a tradition practiced on this day, a large number of service personnel were also awarded by the Army Commander for their bravery and distinguished service.
In another function held at the Tiger War Memorial in Jammu cantonment, the GoC of the Tiger Division Major General Dushyant Singh lauded the role of the army in safeguarding the boundary and integrity of the nation.
A wreath laying ceremony was conducted with full military honours and traditions at the war memorial. Gen Singh along with officers, JCOs and jawans paid homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the cause of the country.
When the ‘Last Post’ on bugles was sounded by buglers, the ceremony revived proud memories of the supreme sacrifice of gallant soldiers, who valiantly fought to safeguard the integrity and unity of our country.
Addressing the soldiers on the occasion, Maj Gen Dushyant Singh expressed happiness that Tiger Division has been awarded five unit citations and 12 Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Cards which was the result of hard work, sincerity and sacrifice of all ranks of the division.
He also exhorted the soldiers to live by the highest tradition of Army.
Army Day is celebrated to commemorate the day when Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE, taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Independent Indian Army from Lieutenant General Sir Roy Butcher of the British Army as well as to pay homage and salute to the brave Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives protecting the country.
The day was celebrated at Sila Garrison, Reasi with great enthusiasm to wherein students and staff of all the schools in Reasi were invited to witness the series of events held in the Army station. Promoting the Campaign on ‘Know your Army’, the display show-cased the military equipment, the weaponry and the specialized vehicles to young impressionable minds.
A total of 12 teachers and 155 students witnessed the show. The children were excited and displayed utmost enthusiasm in all the activities including a career counseling, recruitment awareness camp, the popular Dog Show and a remote controlled Aero model display.
Army Day was also celebrated by Poonch Brigade with great enthusiasm. To commemorate the day the Army organised series of events recently. A street play ‘Awam Aur Jawan’ was organised by Durga Battalion while ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ by Garhi Battalion of the Army in which large number of children and teachers from DAV School, Poonch participated. A free Medical camp was also organised by Army at Shahpur.
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