E-Paper
The story behind Jan-49 handover
ON JAN 15, 1949 at a simple ceremony in Army Headquarters New Delhi, Gen Sir Roy Buchar handed over the office of the Commander in Chief to Gen KM Cariappa, who became the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Army. Jan 15 is thus celebrated as Army Day.
ON JAN 15, 1949 at a simple ceremony in Army Headquarters New Delhi, Gen Sir Roy Buchar handed over the office of the Commander in Chief to Gen KM Cariappa, who became the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Army. Jan 15 is thus celebrated as Army Day.
The might of the Indian Army is primarily devoted to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation against external threats. During the last 59 years of its existence, the Indian Army has fought decisive engagements with several neighbours and proved that India is a force to reckon with. Our Army also has the rare distinction of fighting in all kinds of terrain be it glacial, mountainous, jungles, riverine, desert or in the plains.
During peace time, the Army not only hones its skills for battle by carrying out training but also renders yeomen’s service by quickly defusing internal security threats, and assisting the civilian authorities in maintaining law and order when the situation goes beyond the control of the police and other forces of the union. The highly trained and responsive manpower and equipment of the army also comes to the aid of the populace in the event of natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, Tsunamis and cyclones. A number of civic action programmes are also initiated by the Army to win over the hearts and minds of the local populace in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East and also to channelise the estranged people into the mainstream of national life. The various actions taken to alienate opinion in favour of the Army. The response from the locals led to increase ineffective domination of the strife torn areas leading to successful military operations. A few of the importance civic action programmes carried out by the Army are enumerated in the succeeding paragraphs.
Medical veterinary camps. Most villages close to the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir are isolated from the rest of the valley because of bad road communication thus leading to grave problems in planning and provision of medical care facilities for the villagers and their livestock. The condition of villagers is poor as far as hygiene and sanitation, general health and infant morality rates are concerned. Taking all these points into consideration, the Army apart from extending medical facilities to locals on a regular basis, organises medical and veterinary camps to ameliorate these problems.
1.Community development centres (CDS). The Army with the help of the local populace constructed several community development centres in villages to improve the quality of life, enhance economic upliftment and empowerment of the locals especially women and children. Various activities that are conducted at the community development centre are as follows: (a)Games and Sports for Children. Various games and sports are conducted regularly for the village children so that they have a break from their monotonous routine. The CDC also has facilities for various outdoor games such as Volleyball, Cricket as well as games such as Carom board, Chess, etc.
(b)Vocational Training. For the economic upliftment of villagers, the Army organises knitting and stitching classes for women folk. The response is seen to be overwhelming.
(c)Independence and Republic Day celebrations. The community hall is regularly used for celebration of National Festivals as well as religious festivals. The involvement of the villagers in these mainstream events in full strength highlights the change in their mindset and reflected a sense of belongingness towards the nation.
