Friday 30 March 2012

VALEDICTORY FUNCTION FOR BENEFICIARIES OF OP SADBHAVNA ORGANISED

UDHAMPUR: On the request of local populace residing in the rural areas of Udhampur district, who find it difficult to travel repeatedly to Udhampur or Jammu Government Hospitals for their medical treatment, Command Hospital Udhampur decided to reach out to this segment of needy people at their doorstep. 
 
A team of multi specialty doctors from the hospital examined the patients at a medical camp held on 02 Oct 11 in Pancheri village with facilities for Eye, ENT, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical, Surgical along with field Pathological Laboratory services. A large number of people from the surrounding areas turned for the medical camp. 
 
Majority of the people were treated as out patients. Women of reproductive age group were screened for cervical and breast malignancy and others were screened for diseases like anemia, hypertension and diabetes. Approx 2200 persons benefitted from the camp and 105 cases were screened for further follow up Eye, ENT treatment cum re-constructive surgeries at Command Hospital Udhampur.

Shri Gurudatta of village Pancheri suffering from cataract of both eyes was overcome by the concern of the doctors in removing his cataract and enabling him to see his near and dear ones after eight years. The patients were appreciative of the costly medicines given free of cost to them and further added that such medical camps go a long way in improving lives of poor and aged people in rural areas,
 
To commemorate the medical camp and follow up surgeries, a valedictory function was held at Command Hospital Udhampur on 28 Mar 12. Lt Gen Balbir Pama, SM, Chief of Staff, HQ Northern Command was the Chief Guest. He complimented the efforts of the Commandant, the doctors and paramedical staff for making the medical camp a success and lauded their hard work and dedication. He distributed free spectacles to patients with eye problems and interacted with them and their relatives.

Maj Gen BS Verma MG of Medical Branch, HQ Northern Command and Maj Gen DS Pathania, VSM, Commandant Command Hospital thanked the Chief Guest for gracing the occasion and his valuable guidance for future conduct of such camps. They also thanked the local administration for their whole hearted support and cooperation in organising the medical camp.

JAMMU UNIVERSITY AND WHITE KNIGHT CORPS HOLD SEMINAR ON AFGHANISTAN DYNAMICS

JAMMU: Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu and White Knight Corps jointly conducted a two day Seminar on Afghanistan Dynamics at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium. The Seminar concluded today with a round table discussion on India’s policy options in Afghanistan.  
 
The seminar titled ‘Afghanistan Dynamics : Impact on Regional and Strategic Environment’, was graced by eminent strategists and luminaries who generated discourses on present situation in Afghanistan. It started yesterday with the Inaugural Address by Lt Gen Balbir Pama, SM, Chief of Staff Northern Command, who defined the aim of the Seminar as being two folds. One, to see how India as a friend could contribute in Afghanistan’s rebuilding and secondly to see as to how the unfolding situation may affect India in general and J&K in particular, in the backdrop of US drawdown.   

The key note address was delivered by Ambassador KC Singh. Mr Singh highlighted how the society in Afghanistan was segmented and why the US withdrawal at this juncture was not in anybody’s interest. He said that Pakistan had overplayed its hand in opposing US and is now desperately trying for a reset of their equation. 

Prof MPS Ishar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Jammu University presided over the inaugural session. In his address The VC said, we should understand that countries act as per their permanent interests. The interests of big powers may not be in our favour and we should act as per our own strategic concerns.

Among the other eminent speakers were Ambassador MK Bhadrakumar, Dr SS Bloeria, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Central University, Prof GN Khaki from Kashmir University, economic expert Prof Nisar Ali, Prof Gulshan Dietl from JNU and many senior serving and retired army officers.

Spanned over four sessions and a round table, the Seminar covered subjects like Afghan political situation, resurgence of Taliban, stakes of India and other regional countries in Afghan nation building, implications of impending US withdrawal and India’s policy options.
 
Ambassador Bhadrakumar, who headed the Pakistan desk in MEA in the first half of nineties, said that we should not see Taliban from the prism of Western countries. We should endeavour to open our own communication channels with them and look for a regional cooperation framework. Good relations with Pakistan are a key to peace in the neighbourhood and Indian Government has initiated right steps in that direction. However, Mr Bhadrakumar said, the situation is fluid and we need to remain vigilant. We should not lower our guard on the border management front and do everything to prevent overflow of terror into our territory.

Most of the speakers in the final session were of the view that India faces a threat in the eventuality of US withdrawal and consequently Taliban regaining space in the polity of Afghanistan. It may have adverse impact on our security and India needs to gear up for the challenge by putting in place its internal security framework and revisiting the counter mechanisms.

In his concluding remarks Lt Gen A S Nandal, AVSM, SM, GOC White Knight Corps said, “There is an increasing realization amongst the world community today that dealing with terrorism is an extremely complex process and there are no quick fix solutions”. He further added that “India’s strategic vision for Afghanistan is based on belief that economic and human resource development is the best way to deal with myopic ideologies which are trying to push mankind back to medieval times.  

It is heartening to see that most countries in the world, including bulk of our neighbors, today agree with our vision and policies. Our challenge lies in preventing the spillover of Taliban ideology and the resultant violence into our country, especially in J&K. The challenge is immense, but not insurmountable. By employing skillful diplomacy and other means available to the state we can overcome this challenge”.

The Seminar was attended by students of Jammu University in large numbers. It set another milestone by involving Bhaderwah Campus also through a video conference. Students of Bhaderwah raised relevant issues at the end of each session and the initiative was appreciated by one and all.

Thursday 29 March 2012

ARMY ORGANIZES MEDICAL CAMP

POONCH: In an endeavour to provide medical facilities to people residing in the remote areas of the State, Army Artillery unit organized Medical Camp at Middle School, DHARANA, in Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch District. 

The camp was inaugurated by Birg TK Chawla, who assured villagers of all possible assistance in future. From civil dignitaries Dr Mumtaz Bhati BMO, Mendhar, SDM Ranjeet Singh, SDPO Prabeet Singh and SHO Barkat Qurasi were also present on the occasion.

The team of two civil doctors including Gynaecologist, three Army Medical Officers including dentist examined patients. Free medicines were distributed to the needy. People from villages like Dharana, Basuni, Jabariyan benefited from the camp.

Local villagers said, we are very thankful to Army for organizing Medical Camp in such remote area which has provided much relief to poor people in this region. Sarpanch of Dharana said such type of Medical Camp plays important role in maintaining peace & harmony between Army & Public, thus he requested Army to organize more such camps in future.

Wednesday 28 March 2012

CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF VISITS CHINAR CORPS

UDHAMPUR: General VK Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) arrived in Srinagar on a two day visit on 27 Mar 12, accompanied by Mrs Bharti Singh, President, AWWA. The Chief, on arrival at Srinagar, was received by Lt Gen KT Parnaik, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Mrs Anagha Parnaik, Regional President AWWA Command and Lt Gen SA Hasnain, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM**, GOC Chinar Corps.

On 28 Mar 12, General VK Singh visited the Chinar Corps Headquarters
  wherein he was briefed in detail about the operational preparedness of the Corps on the Line of Control and also about the prevailing security scenario in the Kashmir Valley.

The COAS interacted with officers and all ranks of Chinar Corps and
  complimented them for their outstanding vigilance, state of preparedness and maintenance of high moral values and principles which are associated with the Army. The Chief was appreciative of the initiatives under taken by Northern Command and in particular the
Chinar Corps which have lead to a peaceful environment in the Valley.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

JAMMU UNIVERSITY AND WHITE KNIGHT CORPS TO HOLD SEMINAR ON AFGHANISTAN DYNAMICS

JAMMU: Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu and White Knight Corps are jointly conducting a two day Seminar on ‘Afghanistan Dynamics at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu University on 29-30 March 12. 

The seminar would be graced by eminent strategists and luminaries and would generate discourses on present situation in Afghanistan. It would start with the Inaugural Address by Lt Gen Balbir Pama, SM, Chief of Staff Northern Command. The key note address is being delivered by Ambassador KC Singh. Prof MPS Ishar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Jammu University would preside over the inaugural session.

Among the other eminent speakers are Ambassador MK Bhadrakumar, Dr SS Bloeria, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Central University, Prof GN Khaki and Prof Nisar Ali from Kashmir University, Prof Gulshan Dietl from JNU and many senior army officers.

The Seminar is spanned over four sessions followed by a round table. On the first day, subjects like political situation, resurgence of Taliban, role of India and other regional countries in Afghan nation building would be discussed. The next day starting with fourth session of the Seminar would deliberate over implications of impending US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The round table at the end would discuss India’s policy options.

Entry to the seminar is by invitation for which Dr Mohd Monir Alam, Director, Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu (Mobile No: 9419233928) may be contacted.




SCHEDULE OF WK

S No
Event
Duration
Time
Day 1 - 29 Mar 2012 (Thursday)

1.

Welcome Address by Director DSRS, Jammu University

0930h – 0940h

10 min
2.
Inaugural Address by  GOC-in-C Northern Command
0940h – 1000h
20 min
3.
Presidential Address by Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu
1000h – 1015h
15 min
4.
Key Note Address by Shri KC Singh
1015h – 1045h
30 min
5.
Vote of Thanks by GOC CIF (D)
1045h – 1055h
10 min
Tea Break (1055h-1120h)
Session - I
Mapping Internal Dynamics of Afghanistan
Moderator : Mr KC Singh
1.
Calling of Panelists & Bio Data 
1120h-1125h
5 min
2.
Opening Remarks by Moderator
1125h-1130h
5 min
3.
Lt Gen (Retd) PC Katoch, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SC
Political Instability : Drug Economy, Weapons Flow and Ethnic Rivalry
1130h-1150h
20 min
4.
Prof GN Khaki
Understanding Taliban: Rise, Decline and Resurgence
1150h-1210h
20 min
5.
Dr SS Bloeria
Pak-Afghan Relations : Lessons from History
1210h – 1230h
20 min
6.
Panel Discussion & Q A Session
1230h-1250h
20 min
7.
Concluding Remarks by  Moderator
1250h-1255h
5 min
8.
Presentation of Mementoes
1255h-1300h
5 min
Lunch (1300h-1400h)

Session- II
Afghanistan Nation-Building : Compulsions and Imperatives
Moderator :  AVM (Retd) Kapil Kak, AVSM, VSM
1.
Calling of Panelists & Bio Data 
1400h-1405h
5 min
2.
Opening Remarks by Moderator
1405h-1410h
5 min
3.
Prof Nisar Ali
Nation Building and   Economic Rehabilitation in Afghanistan
1410h-1430h
20 min
4.
Maj Gen Surinder Singh, SM, VSM
Afghan National Army and Police : Challenges Ahead
1430h-1450h
20 min
5.
Maj Gen NRK Babu
HRD and Infrastructure Development : India’s Contribution
1450h -1510h
20 min
6.
Panel Discussion & Q  A Session
1510h - 1530h
20 min
7.
Concluding Remarks by Moderator
1530h - 1535h
5 min
8.
Presentation of Mementoes
1535h – 1540h
5 min
Tea Break (1540h-1600h)






S No
Event
Duration
Time
Session-III
Afghanistan in a New Strategic Context
Moderator :  Maj Gen (Retd) Dipankar Banerjee, AVSM
1.
Calling of Panelists & Bio Data
1600h-1605h
5 min
2.
Opening Remarks by Moderator
1605h-1610h
5 min
3.
Ambassador MK Bhadrakumar
Russia, CAR and China : Stakes in Afghanistan and Strategies
1610h-1630h
20 min
4.
Lt Gen (Retd) Mukesh Sabharwal, PVSM, AVSM**, VSM
US Policy in Af-Pak Region : Emerging Contours
1630h-1650h
20 min
5.
Prof Gulshan Dietl
Iran-Saudi Arabia Standoff : Prospective Implications for Afghanistan
1650h-1710h
20 min
6.
Maj Gen Rakesh Sharma, AVSM, VSM
Pakistan’s Leverages and Strategic Designs in Afghanistan
1710h-1730h
20 min
7.
Panel Discussion & Q A Session
1730h-1750h
20 min
8.
Concluding Remarks by  Moderator
1750h-1755h
5 min
9.
Presentation of Mementoes
1755h-1800h
5 min
Day 2 - 30 Mar 2012 (Friday)

Session-IV
US Withdrawal: Implications for India
Moderator :  Lt Gen (Retd) Mukesh Sabharwal, PVSM, AVSM**, VSM
1.
Calling of Panelists & Bio Data
0930h-0935h
5 min
2.
Opening Remarks by Moderator
0935h-0940h
5 min
3.
AVM (Retd) Kapil Kak, AVSM, VSM
US Withdrawal : Implications for Regional and Extra-Regional Strategic Environment
0940h-1000h
20 min
4.
Shri Sushant Sareen
India-Pakistan Conflict  and Cooperation in Afghan
1000h-1020h
20 min
5.
Maj Gen (Retd) Dipankar Banerjee, AVSM
Impact of US Withdrawal on Proxy War in J&K : Ominous Portents
1020h-1040h
20 min
6.
Panel Discussion & Q A Session
1040h-1100h
20 min
7.
Concluding Remarks by  Moderator
1100h-1105h
5 min
8.
Presentation of Mementoes
1105h-1110h
5 min
Tea Break (1110h-1130h)

Round Table
Afghanistan Imbroglio : Options for India
Moderator :  Dr SS Bloeria
Participants

1.         Ambassador MK Bhadrakumar
2.         Maj Gen Rakesh Sharma
3.         AVM (Retd) Kapil Kak
4.         Lt Gen (Retd) Mukesh Sabharwal
5.         Prof Gulshan Dietl
1130h-1250h
1hr    20 min
Closing Remarks
1250h-1300h
10 min
Lunch (1300h-1400h)