Guarding the ground defence of Indian Air Force base

It was in 1987,we the Territorial Army  (TA) personnel reached for weekly parade at New Alipore, it was Sunday,25th January. We were advised to report for military duty under rule 33 of TA Act.

I was released from my civil employer and joined for Military duty. A special train left from Sealdha Railway station.I had to take over, the Indian Railway staff was among us, they helped me to note the deficiencies of the train on carriage,electrical and mechanical.After reaching the destination the train was handed over to Indian Railway. We had a telephone line between Guard and our Officer in Charge train.

The kitchens were made in the wagons. The length of our train was long it was not stopping in the platform.

Our vehicles and equipments were loaded.

We were assigned the duty of ground defence of the air field. Lt Col KS Negi with his Company was there. My company deployed from the main gate. Lt Col Negi was at the far end.

Out of three platoons and coy headquater only one platoon had the problem of rain water during rain due to low area.

We had hardly any depth in our deployment with the perimeter road. No toilets were there, it was a difficult situation for hygiene issue.We took steps for that.

A land line was always attainded 24x7. The winter clothing was issued.The food used to come from outside the air base. The distribution utensils were not there for delivery of foods for three times.

Bengali News Akashbani Kolkata on Rafel air craft flying

Sri Ravi Shankar, Union Minister of India on Rafel

Memory with Territorial Amy

I was recommissioned in Territorial Army  (TA)in 1983, it was with 107 Infantry Battalion, The unit was located at Lebong, Darjeeling, West Bengal. I was the parade commander of TA Day, 9th October 1983, at this location, the only parade ground which is used for training for TA, Race Course, helipad Football ground.

The weather was full of fog and cloudy. As a parade commander, I could not see the VIP at the saluting base. I could hear the sound of arrival at the said base. I ordered 'Salemi Sacha' I could see the VIP when I went to report him.

The 'Aajkal' the Bengali daily newspaper from Kolkata carried a story on TA on 9th October 1983, it was difficult to get a copy of the same. I had to go to Darjeeling Railway Station where I could get a copy of that issue.

I got a chance to see the ground protection of Farraka Bridge, on river Ganga of Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal. The Central Industrial Force (CISF) were deployed for the same.

I had the opportunity to see and take part of  'Durga Puja' at the unit location, It started with 'Full path" and culminated with 'Dussera' The meat and drink was the main item of celebration.

We had a camp at Bangdubi, near Sukhna, West Bengal. The area is full of elephants. The campsite was very close to the area where PWs of 1971 operation were kept. We had to keep the fire on at all sides to prevent any attack by the elephants.

The Territorial Army Institute's ( now Territorial Army Officers Institute)  pavilion and National Cadet Corps's pavilion are at Kolkata maidan. In the '60s and 70's the Brigade parade ground was very active on Sunday morning, the TA Personnel and NCC Cadets had training activities there.
The public buses were full of these personnel during their training time.

The Sunday parade for TA personnel is no more at this time. People are joining the TA as a lively hood. It was not in the past. TA Day is observed on 9th October, There was a regular TA Day parade at Brigade Parade ground. It was an ambition to command a contingent for this parade for young TA Officer.

Territorial Army affiliations with Indian Army

Buddies of 17th Short Service Commissioned Officer (Non Technical)

17th Short Service Commissioned Officers who had passed from Officers Training School (now Academy), Chenai, we had no social media like now, we occasionally mate each other at various Armed Forces Training Courses, events,  professional duties. and in civil life.

The OTA Alumni Association is active at least every year some of the course mates are meeting various parts of our country, may be other parts of the World.

 Chandra Mohan Dhoop, Artillery,setteled at  Kolkata, he his running his family buisness which is located at central Kolkata, an ideal location to visit.He got married at Kolkata, a reception was made at Territorial Army Institute Kolkata.I had the privilege to attain the ceremony. He is blessed with three daughters, a good gunner.

Umesh Chopra,

I have returned Kolkata, I got an allotment of 450 sq fts flat at Salt Lake, I required guarantor  for documentation of this flat, our buddy helped me, he was then posted to Eastern Command Signal Regiment.

I mate Pradeep Kumar Niyogi at Barrackpore, West Bengal

&   I had joined Post Commissioning Training with 2nd Sikh. He was then Staff Captain (Intelligent). We had few get to gether with our buddies at Kolkata and Kanchrapara.I went to Lucknow, he was then posted there.

Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Artillery and joined Rastriya Rifles was the ADC to GOC Bengal Area, he took the initative to locate me at my office location at Kolkata.

In December 1983  I along with West Bengal Mountaineers & Trekkers Foundation of Kolkata, jointly organised Promotion of Mountain Adventure for West Bengal a programme supported by Youth Services Department, Government of India, Territorial Army Group HQ Eastern Command, Kolkata & others. We had an opportunity to meet few days at Territorial Army Institute at Kolkata.

I joined State Bank of India, I planned to visit Vishakapatnam in 1988 from Bhubaneswar, Our buddy Ananta Rao was posted at SBI.Regional Office there.

He took pain to guide me this place. I had seen Indian Meteorological Department  Cyclone Forecasting Center, Indian Navy Dock here I found first time submarine from out side and INS Sandhak, this survey ship was built at Gardenreach Ship Building  Company, a PSU of MOD. I have the memory to attain the ceremony when this ship was commissioned there. It seems a parking lots for ships at Naval Dock Yard. I could see another Ship Building Company Hindustan Ship Builders.

I was posted to 121 Infantry (Territorial Army) at Kolkata  Praveen Mehata of Garwhal Rifle

  was posted there.

I went to Devlali, Maharastra where my last Army unit was located, I had not informed my unit of my arrival to give them a surprised, in return I got surprised my unit had moved from that location. I mate there .Chander Sekhar 

he got commissioned in Artillery.

Asok Nath,

the only writer of our Course. His book on Armoured Corps, published by United Service Institute of New Delhi. I mate him at this Institute when both of us was attending the first programme in India (2014) of Centenary of First World War.This was orgaised jointly by USI of India and MEF. He had visited this city with his wife.

S. Duiia from EME was posted Base Work Shop at Kankinara, I understand he had settled at New Delhi

S Debnath settled at Kolkata, he was posted at HQ Eastern Command (Artillery). On 9th May 2017, I had contacted him over phone, he is medically not well.

I mate Alamjit Singh in Sri Nagar (J &K) where he was posted in 1984. I went there to attain a programme on mountainnering organised jointly by Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi & Air india.

Ajit Odekhar , Artillery, from Pune,

he had attained 2010 Regiment of Artillery Reunion at Devlali.


Ranbir Singh Pathania ,

he had also joined SBI, I first mate him at Pathankot, I was travelling to Dalhousie on hulidays with my wife.


 Our buddies attained OTA Golden Jubilee Programme, I got an opportunity to meet them.We had attained the General Body meeting of OTA Alumni Association, I was elected as a Coordinator of Eastern Chapter of OTAAA due to vocal support from our buddies. On 8th March 2013 a lunch was arranged by GOC of Tamil Naidu, Karnataka & Pondichery Area Lt Gen Pillai of our Course. Mrs Pillai gave us brass 'Pancha Pradeep' to all our lady wives.It was International Women Day.

I had attained Gautam Sanyal's marriage at Salt Lake Gautam Sanyal

. We had mate at AOI & TAOI when he was posted at HQ Eastern Command. He has settled at Salt Lake.

I had mate Jaitley, he was NCC Group Commander, of NCC Group HQ, Kalyani, West Bengal. We had organised awareness programme at NCC Camp at Kanchrapara, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal.


I was a correspondent of Hindustan Samachar, a news agency of regional languages. Their office  located at central Kolkata. It was then a walking distance from my home at central Kolkata. I started filing news, initially from 1973, before  joining OTS Chenai. I used to file news on police, fire and sports. After returning from Indian Army in 1979. I took permission from SBI to continue as freelance writting which was allowed to me. I used to cover the defence matter. On 14th January 1981, the CPRO Defence Office, Kolkata advised me to cover the Army Day programme which was held under XXXIII Corps. then GOC in Chief & later General Arun Shridhar Vaidya Padma Vibhushan, PVSM, MVC and Bar, AVSM with Mrs Vaidya  along with media from  Kolkata were  flown from Kolkata air port by a special air force plane 

Reaching at the event location I found Khambata, an officer from Brigade of Guards was one of the Pilot of the programme. 
 After the event we the media personnel left earlier to Bagdogra airport to catch the air craft. I could not speak to Khambata. I had collected his contact no at New Delhi. I had spoken to him after 35 years. 

Social get together at New Delhi on 12 May 2017 ( Visuals : courtesy Ranbir Singh)

From: provirsinghkashyap via ss-17coursemates <ss-17coursemates@googlegroups.com>
To: "ss-17coursemates@googlegroups.com" <ss-17coursemates@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 13 May 2017 3:54 AM
Subject: Re: 42 years after

Same here. I am sure all those who missed this opportunity to meet their coursemate/companymate/platoon mate , must have had genuine reason for not being able to make it. Notwithstanding that we hope and pray that we are able to make it to the next get-together wherever it is held. Do add my number in the coursemates group so that one can view the photographs/videos of yesterday's big "DHAMAKA".

Sent from my iPhone

On 12-May-2017, at 11:05 pm, khudaspa@gmail.com wrote:

Greetings to All Course mates we were remembering you all at the larger gathering at Delhi tonight from Eddie Francis ( Maratha L I ) Ashok Nath ( Armoured Corps ) , we had a nice long chat over drinks and dinner remembering days of yore .

From: "khudaspa@gmail.com" <khudaspa@gmail.com>
To: ss-17coursemates@googlegroups.com
Cc: echfrancis@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, 12 May 2017 5:35 PM
Subject: 42 years after

Greetings to All Course mates we were remembering you all at the larger gathering at Delhi tonight from Eddie Francis ( Maratha L I ) Ashok Nath ( Armoured Corps ) , we had a nice long chat over drinks and dinner remembering days of yore .

Intial days with Indian Army

It is difficult to recall the events of the first day in the office of your service life. For me, it was a 10 months pre-commissioned training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai, then 5 months Young Officers (Artillery) Course training at Artillery School, Deolali, Maharastra. I gave the option for high altitude and field area posting. The posting was to an Artillery unit which was located at North Sikkim, accordingly, I was planning to travel to New Jalpaiguri. I wrote a  Demi Official letter to my unit, mentioning that I have been posted there. I got a reply from the Adjutant of the unit and I was told to reach Dharampur Railway station not to New Jalpaiguri, It is located between Kalka to Shimla railway line of Northern Railway.

I reached on the due date and contacted my unit over landline. I was told to wait at the railway station. The representatives from the unit reached with a garlanded made of the cones of the pine tree, a parachute in a pack condition, a rammer, this used for ramming in the barrel of an artillery gun and a megaphone, used by the Gun Position Officer at the Command post of an artillery battery. This was for passing verbal order to the gunners.

The location is a part of Shimla Hills, we could see towards the south the street lights of Chandigarh during clear sky of dark hours of the day. Towards the north, we could see the snowy peaks at a far distance beyond Shimla.  It was 31^st October, the winter was coming. My first night was under the tent, An officer was dressed like a helping hand, we call them ‘sahayak’ for me, he was Capt (then, later Col ) Ravindra Kumar, a resident of Chandigarh. The Commanding Officer dressed like a driver, he was driving Jonga. A detailed plan was chalked out for misguiding me in every step and the newborn officer had to overcome those fun.

The senior subaltern had the privilege to educate newborn officer on unit matters including Officers Mess customs e.t.c.   The new officer is welcome to be a member of the Officers fraternity in a process which we have followed from British Army. The dinning in, of Officers Mess, is the program for the Officer and his family after their arrival at the unit location and dinning out before their departure from the same location. This event is also called winning in, it was the first day for testing wine in a ceremonial way. The procedure the officer will take a post like a gunner, the wine is served in a bowl may be cocktail and he has to gulp it in one go.  It is difficult to forget those customs even after 38 years of leaving this unit. On Christmas Day of 1974, I went to check the guard duty during  the midnight when snowing started. The next day morning we find the area was completely covered with white snow, it seems covered by white bedsheets. It melt within a few days of sun rays. We had visited the cinema at Ambala and Chandigarh whenever we had visited those locations. This location was come and quite specially during dark hours of the day. A public school for the boys was there. Their parent were mostly NRIs. Apart from Officers Mess’s social event, the other mode of entertainment was radio, I had a 3 bands transistor, it was my good friend  for about the next 10 years. We had a orchestra team who played nice western and Hindi songs and tunes, they are all soldiers.

The Indian Army was raised from British Indian Army in 1950, and 15^th January is observed the Indian Army day. I had the opportunity to watch the first Army Day parade at the Garrison Ground of Delhi in 1970, I was then NCC Cadet and joined NCC Republic day camp thereat.

After my release from Indian Army, I had attended a programme which was held at Siliguri in 1982. I saw my coursemate of OTA was one of the Pilot of the event, I could not mate him there, I got a chance to speak to him  over phone after 35 years when he was at New Delhi after his retirement from the Indian Army.

I learned to undergo about one month Commando Course as early as possible after Pre Commissioned training, we were then in good health condition. This course is run by the Infantry School, Belgao, Karnatak.  I was told to undergo this training with a notice of 10 hours, I do remember to leave my living accommodation when the down training was crossing the tunnel and I reached the railway station to aqvil the said train bound to Kalka Railway station. I was the fittest person in 1975 in my life for which staying about 4 months on the Himalayas and keeping space with those foreigners was possible by me.

There was hardly any spare time to think for self and family though I was bachelor then. I had a keen interest for doing mountaineering, I got the chance to be an Indian Liaison Officer first with USA team to Mulkila Six, in Himachal Pradesh, it was about one and half month. Then with a team from Japan Self defence Forces (JSDF) to Sickle Moon in Kishtwar Region of J&K. Both the team members were 12 members, JSDF had 2 ladies in their team. They had no experience in Indian Himalayas, except Leader of USA team Dr Lute Jerstard who had climbed Everest with the USA team in 1963. He had vast experience on India.

The USA  expedition was successfully climbed Mulkila Six (20,600 fts), in Lahul & Spiti of HP. We called on Fakurudin Ali Ahmed, then the President of India at Rastrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. The USA team had a strong desired to climb a virgin modest peak, but in October 1974 a team from Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) had climbed this peak.  

I had a problem with the Japanese language. We lost one Japanese climber Lieutenant Takachi and Indian Havilder Ang Chotter of Indo Tibetian Border Police (ITBP) during the Japanese expedition. He was from Darjeeling. and  was the only member who was a member of Indo Japanese mountaineering expedition team  of 1973 to Sickle Moon in Kishtwar region of J&K.

Before joining Army I had done the Basic Mountaineering course from Western Himalayas Mountaineering Institute, Manali, Himachal Pradesh & Advance Mountaineering Course from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling.

 I was also organised and member of mountaineering expedition to Central ( 20 620 ft.) & Lion (20100 ft.) peaks of Lahul & Spiti of Himachal Pradesh. This was the first time NCC flag was hoisted on a top of a mountain peak.

The Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) is the apex body of our country IMF , they appoint Indian Liaison Officer with foreign mountaineering expedition.

 I was called by the Army HQ, Military Service Co-ord. Branch for this assignment. My unit was not happy that I was called by name for this assignment, I left for New Delhi from practice camp after completing my role in this training. I was aware of mountaineering activities in Indian Army; The Army Mountaineering Association (AMA) was at Sena Bhawan under the Directorate of Military Training.

I had the experience to form an association at Kolkata in 1971 when I was a college student and organised adventure activities such as training and expedition. The name of this organisation is The Institute of Exploration

Climbers ( extreme left & right) Asit Roy & Keshab Mukherjee. other members Maj S K De (R) & Swapan Pal ( L to R)  of Central (20620 fts) & Lion (20100 fts) of 1972 expedition of The Institute of Exploration

Fort William Kolkata

I got the opportunity to visit a fort which is located in my city, this is a scoop type fort on the western part of Kolkata city just next to Ganga. It was built in 1696. I got the opportunity to start visiting this fort when I was a school student and at the same time, I was a cadet of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Junior Division, Army Wing. Our weekly training was at the Brigade Parade Ground. The NCC office is located at this Fort. I was a less regular visitor of the Fort after our NCC training. I have the opportunity to fire the first .22 bore rifle at the short firing range at his fort. This firing range is not functional now.

It was seeing an army family who was living in this fort I thought  I should join the Indian Army. My friends Salil Chakraborty and Sabyasachi Mazumder were all NCC cadets of the 2nd Bengal Battalion NCC and we were students of Taltala High School which is located at central Kolkata. The NCC troop of our school was quite active in this training. We were sincere about the turnout and used to feel proud to be a cadet. The wet canteen of Army units where we could get some snacks 'pakora' was a tasty favorite item.

The NCC training and camp was very attractive for me that continues even in my college life as a senior division cadet. I got the scope to attain the attachment with Regular Army, it was with the 20th Maratha Light Infantry, the duration was about a month, the location was in North Bengal and we had a tough time during the rain, our kitchen was dug in where rainwater was a problem to drain out the same we had to face the bite of leach. I was selected for Republic Camp at New Delhi in 1970. I got the Basic and Advance Mountaineering training from Mountaineering Institute and Allied Sports, Manali and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Darjeeling respectively.

As a Senior Division NCC Cadet, I joined two camps which were in Fort William. There is a Holiday Home and Army Officers Institute.


In May 1984 an Army Exhibition was held during the month of May. I was then recommissioned in the Territorial Army. I was posted to 107 Infantry Stallion (TA) as a Company Commander,it was part-time soldiering. In civil was working with the State Bank of India, posted at Kolkata. I was associated with this exhibition.  Two stalls were given to HQ Territorial Army Group Eastern Command. and there was a) Bengal Contribution for India's freedom struggle & b) Bengal contribution to Indian Armed Forces.

We had collected some photographs from  Netaji Research Bureau, Kolkata The Indian National Army songs were available in audio cassettes. These songs were played during this program.

Fort William Kolkata is active where the Head Quarter of Eastern Command is located. The residence of General Officer Commanding of the Bengal Area is there.  The Kendriya Vidyalaya, library stadium, swimming pool, gymnasium, golf course,  cinema hall, banking, Indian Post facilities are there. I still visit this fort, it is now 55 years I am visiting this fort.


Eastern Command at face Book 

Memories of Mountain Adventure with Indian Army

I joined the Indian Army as a Short Service Commissioned (Non Technical ) officer. I had the experience of NCC training in Junior & Senior Division, Army Wing. I did my Basic & Advance Mountaineering Courses through NCC. I have the experience of organising mountaineering club, training and expedition as an NCC Cadet. The expedition we had organised from this club to climb Central (20620 fts.) & Lion (20100 fts.) in Himachal Pradesh (HP), district Lahul & Spiti at  Barasigri glacier. We were the first Indian who climbed these peaks. NCC flag was the first time was hoisted on any peak, it was in June 1972. NCC was one of the sponsors of this expedition.

I joined the Indian Army with the hope that I can do mountaineering activities during my Army career. I was the Indian Liaison Officer with the USA team to Mulkila Six in HP & Japanese team to Sickle Moon in J&K. It took about four months for both expeditions. By then  I had only one-year seniority in Army. I was attached to Army HQ, MS (Coord) Br. We lost one Japanese  climber Lt Takachi, Deputy Leader of Japan Self Defence Force and one Sherpa from ITBP, Hav Ang Chotar from Darjeeling.

My first unit was 64 Fd Regt, it was then in peace location. I was keen to have the experience of life in Field condition, if possible in high altitude. On my request, I was posted to 90 Fd Regt. I served about 2 years. I got the chance to join Regt. of Arty Pre Expedition to Kedarnath Peak in 1979. This peak is located in Gangotri glacier, in Uttrakhand. We were advised to report High Altitude Warfare School. (HAWS). 

This School has a great role to promote mountaineering in India specially the Indian Everest Expeditions of 1960, under the leadership of Brig Gyan Singh, a Gunner Officer &  1962 under the leadership of Col John Dias. I had good contact with the Comdt of HAWS Col D N Tankha, a Sikh Officer, he was the leader of HAWS expedition to Sickle Moon of 1975. I mate him and the team members at Kishtwar, in J&K.

We assembled HAWS, most of us were not having snow clothing, it was arranged there. Comdt was Col Narendra Kumar,

 he was ex-The principal of HMI. I had helped Leader of the expedition for planning the identification of the resources, we approached Director Arty for procurement, mainly equipment, ration, communication, medical e.t.c.

We were two Officers from 90 Fd Regt another officer was Lt (1979) Mathew Varghese. He was very fit and tough for such a venture.

 We two Oiiicers  from the Pre Expedition team . left HAWS and moved to Arty Directorate for final preparation including press conference for this expedition under the arrangement of Directorate of Public Relations, MOD. Finally, the team left New Delhi for the expedition. By then the list for PRC of our course has been out. I was not selected. I took  the permission to return unit loc for final release from the Indian Army.

Finally, I left unit loc by train with lots of memories and satisfaction to sending another mountaineering expedition to Indian Himalayas from Regt of Arty. I still remember the send-off at unit NRS where the Officers, JCOs and Ors who were there with lots of affection and worries about my settlement in civil life. The packed food was so heavy it was difficult to do the justice to food by me.  I joined the first civil appointment after 26 days of leaving my unit loc. and when I was on leave pending release period. After joining the biggest Bank of India, it was 3 years after my release when I got married the unit was located next station. I have the privilege to receive unit Offices. & family members during the reception ceremony.  

Source of Photo

No 1  ; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Indian_Army_-_High_Altitude_Warfare_School_%28_HAWS%29.jpg

No 2 Col Narendra Kumar, Ex Principal of HMI, Darjeeling &  Ex Codt of HAWS 

Officers Training Academy, Chenai, India: Golden Jubliee Celebration 2013

OTA Chenai was raised in 1962. This is the only Academy of Indian Army where women are trained and get their commissioned  in Indian Army. The Last year this Academy organised 3 days celebration. Two DVD have been released on this occasion.

Golden Jubilee Celebration of Officers Training Acadeny, Chennai

Scope of joining Territorial Army in India

The scope of joining Territorial Army as a commissioned Officer the last date of Application is 30 June 2014.

What is Territorial Army A Power point presentation for you


https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E2fky02Aar8T_p9kftCp4wdeWTSRlLLGh18VrIoQRqo/edit

Application for TA Commissioned Officer

Territorial Army of India

Territorial Army of Kolkata
It was 1990, we were deployed somewhere in the western sector of our country. I had joined from my bank’s job. We were Territorial Army (TA) personnel from Kolkata, our unit is affiliated to Garwhal Regiment of Indian Army. In Kolkata, there are 2 Infantry TA battalions and 1 General Hospital (TA).
We used to assemble on Sundays and annual camp for training at the unit located at the southern part of Kolkata. Our employer had released us for military service. We switched over from civilian to TA personnel, some of us performing section commander, platoon commander, company commander & other appointments. There are regular service personnel also in our unit.
We had the various task to perform some time ground defence of airport, ordnance depot, ammunition depot, vital establishments e.t.c.
Our rank structure is same like Indian army, the food for jawans, non commissioned officers, junior commissioned officer and officers are prepared in their respective kitchen some time we had ‘barakhan’ a great feast for all. Some recreation programme makes more attractive. Our unit has an orchestra group they were very popular even for the civil function at the outside.
Like Indian army TA also famous for ceremonial and social activities like TA day (9th Oct), Raising day (15th March), Dushera festival e.t.c. The family members and ex TA personnel join in these days to remember their old days.
Now TA is engaged in the various assignment, mainly internal security. They are performing continuous military service and earning their pension from the Ministry of Defence.
Contributor Sushanta De, email : youthforum2k@yahoo.com
13 Jul 12

Territorial Army in India

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E2fky02Aar8T_p9kftCp4wdeWTSRlLLGh18VrIoQRqo/edit?usp=sharing

OTA Alumni Association Kolkata

A meeting of OTA Alumni Association was held at OTA Chhenai on 8 March 2013. It was resolved to form a Regional Chapter of Kolkata and other places in our Country.

The Kolkata  is for those Alumni who are located in the States of  Bihar, Jharkhand, Odessa, &; West Bengal.

The objectives are

+ To bond all the OTA ALUMNI (hereinafter referred as OTANIANS)

+ To promote camaraderie between the present cadets at the OTA and OTA ALUMNI.

+ To promote esprit-de-corps, achieve unity and to create friendly feelings and good will amongst the Otanians.

+ To create amongst the public, particularly younger generation, awareness about OTA and its role in training cadets to become capable officers of the Armed Forces of India .

+ To hold periodical meetings and seminars of all ex OTA Officers to promote the objectives of the Association.

+ To create a net work to promote the cause of Otanians by raising funds for the promotion of the objectives of the Association.

+ To introduce various welfare measures for the serving, released and retired otaians, to redress various grievances of the Otanians.

+ To motivate more and more youth to join Army through Officers Training Academy.

+ To help to rehabilitate the needy released and retired Otanians.

+ To guide the Otanians and their wards for various ventures, placements and professional education abroad.

+ To contribute to the Officers Training Academy, Chennai.

+To propagate amongest the Otanians the use of New and Renewable Sources of Energy with particular emphasis on solar energy and create an awareness about conservation of water and power and to control pollution

The next Annual Alumni Meet will be held at OTA , Chennai, on 21 Sep 2013

( evening) followed by the Alumni Dinner at the GC's Mess. All Alumni are welcome to attend with their families. This mail is an advance information which may be given wider publicity in your region. We will also inform all the nominated course co-ordinaters immediately to enable them to spread the info.

2.   The OTA will make 250 rooms available for the Alumni in the GC's accommodation, as was done during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations earlier this year. Further details will be communicated to you and the course co-ordinaters at the earliest. Kindly forward any agenda points you may have to me by 15 Aug 2013.

3.   The official OTAAA website is under preparation and should be operational by first week Aug 2013 under the domain name 

' www.otaaachennai.com '. Once this website is launched we shall also upload all details of the Alumni meet in it.

The contact OTA Alumni is Major Sushanta Kumar De (R) Mobile no 0974764732, e mail youthforum2k@yahoo.com

The youngest force of Ministry of Defence Coast Guard opened a new region

 Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (North East) and co-located Station near  Kolkata, at a place  near to Kolkata air port ' New Town'  were formally commissioned by His Excellency, Shri MK Narayanan, the Governor of West Bengal at and impressive ceremony today. Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, AVSM
NM Director General Indian Coast Guard and  some  of civilian and military dignitaries were present on the occasion.

            The fifth Regional Headquarters of the Coast Guard at Kolkata has been established in pursuance of the directives of the Cabinet Committee on Security.  The region itself was carved out from the Coast Guard Region (East) to strengthen coastal security and augment Coast Guard operations along the northern Bay of Bengal.  The region will exercise operational and administrative control over all Coast Guard assets in West
Bengal and Odisha and will have jurisdiction over 1.5 lakh sq kms of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, extending up to the Indo-Bangladesh

International Maritime Boundary Line.  The region will be further strengthened by basing additional ships and aircraft and commissioning of two Coast Guard Stations one each at Frazerganj and Gopalpur and one Coast Guard Air Enclave at Bhubaneswar in near future.

At present there are Coast Guard district at Haldia, West Bengal it was raised in 1983 and an air enclave at Kolkata air port.

 Smt. Padmini Narayanan Wife of Shri MK Narayanan, the Governor of West Bengal Naming of Establishment by Unveiling of Ceremonial Lifebuoy.

            In his address, His Excellency, Shri MK Narayanan, the Governor of West Bengal highlighted the need for a pro-active approach by all stakeholders involved in coastal and maritime security to achieve the common goal of national security.  He stated that post 26/11, numerous measures have been initiated by the Government of India for enhancing coastal and maritime security and specific responsibilities have been assigned to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard towards this.  He further stated that with the setting up of Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (North-East), coordination among all stakeholders involved in Coastal Security in West Bengal and Odisha will get further streamlined and enable them to work in a synergized
manner for the protection of the sea areas off the coast of West Bengal and Odisha. He expressed his happyness seeing the progress of the development in this coastal security. He also stressed for more on technology and information collection on coastal security.

            The Coast Guard Region (North-East) is headed by Inspector General KC Pande, TM and the Coast Guard Station Kolkata is commanded by Commandant GS Ralhi, TM.

Most of the patrol vessel of Coast Guard are built by the Garden Reach Ship Builders of Kolkata

A special cover on this occasion was released by the Sri M K Narayan Governor of West Bengal.



10 Dec 12