Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 12 2008:
Nearly one thousand men ,who had been in the army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF and other central forces, joined an ex-servicemen rally in the premises of 20 AR at Chandel district headquarters today.
Organized by this battalion, the rally was attended by Major General AK Choudhury, IGAR ( South), Brigadier Balbir Singh, commander 26 sector AR in addition to the district's Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.
A senior rifles' officer said the rally was aimed to recognize the sacrifice of each one of them, give a common platform to air their grievances, motivate them to come ahead and participate in the district's developmental activities.
Another objective is to provide social security to the environment and encourage them to send in their young boys for an organized training at the headquarters of 20 AR to prepare them for getting recruited in the various armed and para military forces.
Speaking at the huge rally, Maj General AK Choudhary said it was an attempt by the rifles to reach out to all the gallant ex-servicemen of the district and make them aware of he new policies of the centre.
While hoping that this noble initiative of 20 AR would inspire others to emulate the same in future, Choudhury said the Assam Rifles is committed to live up to its motto " Friends of the North Eastern People" and would do all that is possible to help the locals, through more welfare measures.
The rally was marked by several events including a splendid band performance by 20 AR's regimental band, a free medical camp, opening of CSD facilities and recruitment of young athletes in army sports.
Besides ex-servicemen, a number of war widows and parents and guardian of soldiers, who died in the line of duty, also turned up.
One TS Mami Anal, whose two younger brothers, made supreme sacrifice in seperate gun fights in Jammu and Kashmir , said she is proud to be a sister of these two brave soldiers.
"I'm proud to be a sister of two brave soldiers , who died for the cause of the nation.
Nobody can buy the reputation what I have.
Now I have two other younger brothers and I want them to join the Indian army" .