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Batch of 1959 shares memories
General Niazi’s visitors’ book with IMA
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Gen Malik: Only the best weaponry will do
Tibetan culture at crossroads A young Tibetan girl in jeans while her mother prefers the traditional attire. A Tribune photograph
Arya releases IT dept magazine
FRI task: Spring surprise in Delhi
Garhwal Mandal to shift gas agency
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Batch of 1959 shares memories
Dehradun, June 18 “Not used to a tough training schedule, there were initial hiccups but it did not take me long to adjust to the IMA training,” recalled Major Atul Dev. He said the lessons learnt at the academy proved to be of immense benefit to him while serving the Army as well as during his career in journalism later. The Major with 21 long years in the Army and another 29 years in journalism, said his Army training helped him in his exploits with his pen. “I remember interviewing General Zia, the first by an Indian. This prompted the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to make a statement in Parliament, asking the General to adopt a diplomatic channel to air his views rather than giving an interview to a journalist,” he observed. Commodore Ranjit B. Rai (retd) said he cherished every moment spent at the academy, from academics to sports. He was part of 14 NDA course that was converted into 23 IMA course. “The training at the academy has been a matter of pride
for me”. A total of 103 officers of 23 Course got together at the IMA to relive old memories. The course has had the distinction of its officers placed on high posts in the Army hierarchy. Gen VP Malik (retd) rose to the highest rank of Chief of Army Staff from 1997 to 2000. Several others rose to the rank of Lieut General and Major
General. Lt Gen RS Sujlana, Commandant, IMA, welcomed the distinguished guests and appraised them about various initiatives in the training of Gentleman Cadets. The Golden Jubilee celebrations began with officers of the course laying a wreath at the IMA War Memorial to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Officers attending the reunion chose to stay at the accommodation they once occupied as cadets 50 years ago. They visited Chetwode Hall and the IMA campus to relive old times.
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General Niazi’s visitors’ book with IMA
Dehradun, June 18 As part of Operation Cactus Lili on December 18, 1971, the Indian Army entered the Flag Staff House of the General. On search, Brig Bhanot came across the visitors’ book which remained in his possession all these years. Brig Bhanot, who retired in 1990, today took the opportunity to hand over the book to Lieut Gen RSSujlana, Commandant, IMA. The book carries the signatures of dignitaries (between 1961 and 1971) such as Benazir Bhutto, Gen Yayaha Khan, Gen Musa of Bangladesh and Gen Tikka Khan.The IMA authorities intends to put the visitors’ book at Chetwode Museum.
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Gen Malik: Only the best weaponry will do
Dehradun, June 18 Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of 23rd course Golden Jubilee Reunion of the IMA, General Malik said: “We lag behind in terms of technological advancement. The country needs a procurement policy for weapons.” Distancing himself from the ex-servicemen protest for “one rank, one pension” Gen Malik said while ex-defence officials should not vent their ire in the form of public protest, it was the responsibility of the government to take up the concerns of defence personnel. On LTTE chief V Prabhakaran’s death, the former Army chief said: “Prabhakaran had many leadership qualities but he used these in a wrong manner.” He rejected the belief that the IPKF had met with defeat in Sri Lanka in 1987. “Although we suffered 1,150 causalities, we didn’t lose in Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that all battles ended at the political level. “Whether the IPKF operations in Sri Lanka or the Kargil, conflict resolution is always political,” he On terror, Gen Malik said terrorism was purely the responsibility of police and other paramilitary forces while army comes towards the end. Describing the IMA as one of the best defence training academies in the world, Gen Malik said it was a matter of great joy for him that the academy continued to maintain old traditions . “Young officers from the IMA played a heroic role during the Kargil war with many among them attaining martyrdom ,” said Gen Malik ,who headed the Indian Army during the war.
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Tibetan culture at crossroads
Dehradun, June 18 Receptive to the winds of change blowing in their direction, restless young Tibetans here are increasingly becoming assertive and adopting new ways to bring about awareness about Tibet and its people in exile. Ready to embrace new ideas while remaining deeply rooted to the Tibetan cause, they are choosing ways and methods that are a little different from the ones of the previous generation. In the initial stages of its launch seven years ago, the Miss Tibet beauty pageant had invited the ire of the Tibetan elders who wanted to exclude the swimsuit round. No wonder then that there are very few members from the older generation who are willing to talk about their girl winning a title though most of her family members are based here. The elderly, however, continue to frown upon all kinds of beauty pageants. “Such type of contests will always be looked down upon by Tibetan elders as they feel that it draws attention away from the Tibetan cause. “Living here, I know it is difficult to propagate Tibetan culture among our children who have never visited their homeland but we have been giving them regular instructions at home. “Everywhere, the youth are getting attracted to popular culture but it should be within limits,” said Tsering, president of Tibetan Women’s Welfare Association, Clement Town. During the contest this year, out of seven participants, only four Several Tibetans say that the main reason for the poor response could be attributed to the community’s own ambivalence. “The contest may not be as popular as the Miss India contests, but it does wonders to the image of Tibet and Tibetans who view things differently. “We need to clarify misconceptions about Tibet and its Chinese occupation and these girls will get a platform to do so,” said Yeshi Tharchin, Tibetan Youth Congress President, Dekyling.
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Arya releases IT dept magazine
Dehradun, June 18 In his address made on the occasion that also coincided with Rajbhasha celebrations Yashpal Arya called for sincere efforts towards promotion of Hindi within government departments. He however, hoped that it was a healthy sign that the people have now started understanding the importance of the language. Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana too emphasised on the significance of the language as a common link of the country. Earlier, Income Tax commissioner and Rajbhasha officer Dr Devi Prasad Semwal dwelt at length on the efforts undertaken by his department for encouraging the usage of Hindi language. He also reminded that as president of Nagar Rajbhasha Kiryanvayan Samiti, he was ensuring adequate promotion of the language in as many as 108 member offices of the city. Top Income tax officials and representatives from various central government departments participated in the programme.
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FRI task: Spring surprise in Delhi
Dehradun, June 18 The institute’s central nursery has begun preparations on a war footing. “by the month of July, these plants will be all ready for display,” said Dr SS Negi, director of the institute. As preparations had only begun, it was not easy to name the species at this point of time, he hastened to add. Those linked to forestry say October is not spring and “providing plants in the state of flowering is a tough task.” The insitute will come up with potted plants apart from ornamental ones to enhance Delhi’s beauty. It is already working on Bansvatika at Rajghat and contemplating a project to free the Yamuna of pollution.
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Garhwal Mandal to shift gas agency
Dehradun, June 18 The decision is in accordance with the directions of the district administration, which has asked all the gas agencies to shift their godowns from the thickly populated areas in the interest of public security. The decision by the GMVN to shift the godown of its agency had been hanging fire in absence of proposal on how to use the vacated premises. “Since we have decided to construct a banquet hall in its place, the godown will be shifted to our land on Sahastradhara Road,” said GMVN chairman, Umesh Aggarwal today. Though, the exact date of shifting is yet to be decided but the decision has brought relief to the residents of the area. The existing space being used for the godown is considered to be adequate for the banquet hall. As such, no adjoining land is required to be purchased for the purpose.
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For Major Atul Dev (retd), it was going back into time as he interacted with his course mates as part of the 23rd Golden Jubilee Reunion being held at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. The course included eight NCC and 11 technical graduates who passed out from the IMA on June 6, 1959.
While Tibetan youth feel contests like Miss Tibet provide them the opportunity to spread
awareness about Tibet, the elders continue to frown upon beauty pageants
