Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has undertaken a noble deed of educating the children of Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs) who are employed by them for various road construction works on the Dharasu-Gangotri road in Uttarakhand. Devoid of mobile connection and basic facilities, the officers and supervisors of BRO are imparting education to these children in the most inhospitable high-altitude terrain.

Junior Engineer Rahul Yadav and Subedar Sandesh Pawar responsible for the road construction on Gangotri Highway in Uttarkashi district came up with the idea of providing the children with basic education and keeping them engaged when their parents are out working. Three camps in Jhangla, Hindoligarh and Naga are holding these outdoor classes since 21 July 2021. Presently, 60-70 children are attending these classes. These officers of BRO are also proactively working with an NGO ‘Goonj’ to provide clothing and ration to these children. Carrying forward the initiative of these officers, BRO plans to provide basic accommodation and better teaching facilities to the children in the coming months.

The CPLs are the backbone of BRO as they work in inhospitable and difficult terrains to ensure the construction of strategic border roads. They stay away from their homes for long durations and are cut off from society. Most of them working in these areas hail from Jharkhand or are those who reside near the Nepal border. The aim of this initiative is to engage with these young and often neglected minds by educating them and ensuring that their parents are encouraged and satisfied with the organisation they work for.

Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt Ltd (MASPL) has been awarded a contract for manufacturing and supply of the Boeing 737 inlet outer barrel components and sub-assemblies, the legendary single-aisle family of aeroplanes, at the state-of-the-art MASPL facility in Narsapura, near Bengaluru, India. Production begins in 2023. Commenting on the new contract, S.P. Shukla, Member of the Group Executive Board of Mahindra Group, and Group President, Defence, Aero & Agri sector, observed, “We are privileged to be awarded this prestigious contract for the 737, which is another step in our journey with Boeing to support the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Indian Government.” “Boeing demands the best, and this contract award is a testament to our delivery and quality performance which was sustained even during the pandemic,” said Arvind Mehra, Managing Director & CEO of Mahindra Aerostructures. He added, “We thank Boeing for this recognition of our performance and look forward to creating even more opportunities to add value to Boeing.” Under the new contract, MASPL will supply these parts and sub-assemblies for the 737, directly to Boeing facilities in the United States. Deliveries will ramp up in synchronisation with Boeing’s planned increase in 737 productions.

Two ships of the Indian Navy, namely INS Ranvijay (Guided Missile Destroyer, D55) and INS Kora (Guided Missile Corvette, P61), on deployment to the Western Pacific, carried out a maritime partnership exercise with BRP Antonio Luna (Frigate, FF 151) of the Philippine Navy on Monday in the West Philippine Sea. The joint evolutions conducted during the exercise included several operational manoeuvers and the participating ships of both navies were satisfied with the consolidation of interoperability achieved through this operational interaction at sea.

The Indian naval ships are currently deployed to the Western Pacific to strengthen maritime security collaboration with partner nations. The interaction with BRP Antonio Luna was, therefore, an enriching opportunity for the Indian Navy to consolidate its bilateral relations with the Philippine Navy. In compliance with the prevailing pandemic guidelines, the exercise was conducted in a contactless manner and all necessary health and safety protocols were strictly observed. After the exercise, the Indian naval ships are scheduled to call at Manila Port for replenishment. India and The Philippines share a very robust defence and security partnership built over several years and spanning across all domains. Both navies remain committed to further strengthening bilateral collaboration in the maritime domain towards a collective aim of ensuring a stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

EXERCISE KONKAN 2021

Exercise Konkan 2021 was held between INS Tabar and HMS Westminster on 16 August on the English Channel. The exercise included the participation of integral helicopters of the two ships and the Falcon Electronic Warfare aircraft. A wide range of exercises including coordinated anti-submarine procedures, firing drills, combined maritime picture compilation, combat formation manoeuvring and replenishment at sea were conducted. These along with the diverse professional engagements held earlier in the harbour have enabled Exercise Konkan 2021 to consolidate interoperability and helped cement the strong bonds of friendship between the two navies.

JOINT GUIDANCE FOR AUSTRALIA AND INDIA NAVIES

A ‘Joint Guidance for the Australia-India Navy to Navy Relationship’ document was signed between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy on 18th August. The signing ceremony was held virtually between Adm Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy and Vice Admiral Michael J Noonan, Chief of Navy, Australian Navy. The document is aligned to the ‘2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ agreed by the Prime Ministers and aims to ensure a shared approach to regional and global security challenges. The Joint Guidance would serve as a guideline document to showcase the intent of both the Navies to work together bi/multi-laterally. The broad scope of the guidance is focused on developing mutual understanding, cooperate for regional security, collaborate in mutually beneficial activities and developing interoperability.

The highlights of the document include close cooperation in regional and multilateral fora, including the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)and Expert Working Groups subordinate to the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus framework. Bilateral defence relations between India and Australia have strengthened over the years. ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, the conduct of trilateral Maritime Security Workshop and RAN participation in Exercise MALABAR are significant milestones that underline the role played by both Navies in bolstering this relationship in recent times. The document would be pivotal in consolidating the shared commitment to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo – Pacific region.

TWO INDIAN NAVY SHIPS TO PARTICIPLE IN MULTILATERAL EX MALABAR

Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt arrived at Guam, an Island Territory of the US as part of their ongoing deployment to nations in South East Asia and the Pacific Ocean. The two ships are scheduled to participate in the annual Exercise MALABAR-21, between navies of Australia, India, Japan and the US. MALABAR series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 as a bilateral IN-USN exercise and has grown in stature over the years to include four prominent navies in the Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. As part of the Exercise, Vice Admiral AB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command will have operational discussions with Rear Admiral Leonard C. “Butch” Dollaga, Commander CTF-74 focussing on developing an action plan and coordinated operations in the maritime domain. Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti would be embarked onboard INS Shivalik during the conduct of Sea Phase commencing from 26 August.

Exercise MALABAR-21 will be conducted with USN, JMSDF and RAN at sea from 26 to 29 August. The exercise will provide an opportunity for common minded navies to enhance inter-operability, gain from best practices and develop a common understanding of procedures for Maritime Security Operations. MALABAR-21 would witness high-tempo exercises conducted between Destroyers’, Frigates, Corvettes, Submarines, Helicopters and Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the participating navies. Complex surface, sub-surface and air operations including Live Weapon Firing Drills, Anti-Surface, Anti-Air and Anti-Submarine Warfare Drills, Joint Manoeuvres and Tactical exercises will be conducted during the exercise. The conduct of these exercises despite COVID restrictions is a testimony of synergy between the participating navies and commitment to safer seas.

The participating Indian Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt are the latest indigenously designed and built, multi-role Guided Missile Stealth Frigate and Anti-Submarine Corvette respectively and form part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, Eastern Naval Command. INS Shivalik is commanded by Captain Kapil Mehta whilst INS Kadmatt is commanded by Commander RK Maharana. The two ships are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors, can carry multi-role helicopters and represent the growth of India’s warship building capabilities.

FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO), Pune Chapter undertook a unique initiative to mark their respect for the Indian Army this Independence Day by lighting up some of the iconic military installations in the city of Pune while commemorating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Usha Poonawalla, chairperson, FICCI FLO, Pune Chapter has informed that as a part of this special initiative permanent Tri Colour lighting has been done at the entrance of Southern Command, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Statue, Southern Command War Memorial, the Clock Tower and the Late General Arunkumar Vaidya Smarak. Most of these installations are located in the Camp area of the city.

The FICCI FLO, Pune Chapter also donated six sewing machines to the widows of the martyrs and soldiers who gave their lives to ensure the safety of this country. The distribution was done at the hands of Mrs Ujjwala Singhania, FICCI FLO National President and Mrs Anita Nain, President (Regional) of the Army Wives Welfare Association. FICCI FLO, Pune has always been on the forefront of skilling women under the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) banner and has been a great supporter of the course of upliftment of families of Army personnel.

16 officer trainees from Indian Navy, of the 91st Batch of Marine Engineering Specialisation Course (MESC) successfully completed 105 weeks of professional training at INS Shivaji. The 13 foreign trainee officers from eight friendly foreign nations, also a part of the course had passed out from INS Shivaji on 26 Jun 21.The trainees were actively involved in understanding the finer aspects of marine engineering along with participation in co-curricular activities towards overall grooming as an Officer. Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and addressed the MESC officers during the Valedictory Function and reviewed the Passing out Parade. He congratulated the officers as well as the training staff at Shivaji and urged the officers to continue their tryst with learning and continually adapt to technological advancements. The Admiral exhorted the young engineer officers to lead by example and pursue excellence in every endeavour while maintaining highest standards of quality in their sphere of work. The Admiral awarded trophies to officers excelling in specific fields like first in overall order of merit, Academics, Sports and Positive Living. The ‘Hammer’ to the Best All Round Officer was awarded to Lt Kushagra Dimri

Vice Admiral Daya Shankar Rolling Trophy for ‘Best Sportsman’ was awarded to Lt Mudit Sety and Lt Ravindra Gangwar was awarded ‘Positive living Officer’. The award of ‘First in Order of Academic Merit’ was given to Lt Mohammad Danish and the best project syndicate was awarded for the project on AI based Predictive Maintenance. As a part of the course curriculum, the officers underwent watch keeping onboard Naval Warships and undertook various Marine Engineering projects in Cutting Edge technologies. The officers inculcated an aptitude for technical assignments and research through wide array of naval projects ranging from development of technical simulators and test benches to operationalisation of existent machinery. The officers would now proceed for appointments onboard Naval Warships, Shore units.

The Chiefs of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force visited the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, their Alma-Mater together last weekend. The visit marks a historical moment for this prestigious Tri-Service Training Academy as all three service chiefs are course-mates from the 56th Course of NDA, which is rare and unique. Earlier, it was only in 1991 that all three service chiefs were course-mates from the first NDA (erstwhile Joint Services Wing) course. The very idea and thought of them visiting their Alma-Mater together not only reaffirms the eternity of the bonds of camaraderie imbibed in the Academy but also signifies the spirit of ‘Jointmanship’ which this Tri-Service Training Institution stands for.

The idea of establishing this Joint Training Academy for training officers of three services was conceived by a committee headed by the then Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinlek in 1945 and Academy commenced functioning in its interim location at Dehradun as Joint Service Wing in Jan 1949. The foundation stone of the Academy at Khadakwasla was laid on 06 Oct 1949 and inaugurated on 16 Jan 1955. In its glorious history of over seven decades, the Academy has produced the first Chief of the Defence Staff, 13 Chiefs of Army Staff, 11 Chiefs of Navy Staff and 09 Chiefs of the Air Staff.

Admiral Karambir Singh assumed as the Chief of the Naval Staff on 31st May 2019. Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took over as Chief of the Air Staff on 30th September 2019 and General MM Naravane took over as Chief of the Army Staff on 31st December 2019. Speaking on behalf of the three chiefs on this historical occasion the Chief of the Naval Staff dwelled upon the emerging trends of modern warfare. He also exhorted the cadets to imbibe the basic tenets of modern military leadership. The Chiefs reviewed the ongoing training of cadets and the available training and administrative infrastructure of NDA.

During their visit, the chiefs paid homage at the ‘Hut of Remembrance’, which commemorates the sacrifice of ex-NDA officers of Armed Forces who laid down their lives in the line of duty. The Service Chiefs also visited their parent squadrons ‘Hunter’ (Naval Chief) & ‘Lima’ (Army & Air Chiefs); and interacted with the cadets of the respective squadrons. An interaction with the faculty and staff of NDA was also organised towards the end of their visit. Their visit to the Academy has provided unmatched inspiration and sense of pride to all the cadets and would further catalyze them to strive for excellence in their military careers and reinforce the Spirit of Camaraderie and Jointmanship amongst the three Services.