Imphal, October 09 2009: The 60th Territorial Army Day/Diamond Jubilee was celebrated today at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall here under the aegis of the State Home department with the presence of high profile dignitaries of the state and the Army.

Among others, the glorious diamond jubilee celebration function was attended by Ministers like K Ranjit, N Biren, L Jayantakumar, N Loken, MLAs Dr Ng Bijoy, T Manga Vaiphei, top civil, police, and army officials including DGP Y Joykumar and GOC 57 Mountain Division, Maj Gen Shakti Gurung, VSM, and personnel and officers of 165 Infantry Battalion, TA.

Presiding over the function, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi commended that the Territorial Army (TA) has unfailingly risen to the challenge whenever it has been called upon to act in the security of the nation or for the welfare of the citizens.

The Chief Minister observed that the 165 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Home and Hearth), Assam is the first TA unit raised purely from the domicile of Manipur which gives a direction and impetus to gainful employment and further the development of the state.

Tracing back the origin of the TA to 1857 when it was raised as 'Volunteers' who were recruited only from Europeans and Anglo-Indian,the CM accounted that the name was changed to Indian Defence Forces in 1917 .

On October 1, 1920, the Indian Territorial Army Force bill was passed which resulted in the reorganisation of the force into two separate wings - the Auxiliary Force and the Indian Territorial Force.

The Auxiliary Force was meant only for the Europeans and Anglo-Indians while all other Indian citizens could join the Indian Territorial Force, O Ibobi recounted.

Responding to the need to have a sizeable reserve force of trained citizens to support regular Army in times of need, the TA Act, 1948 was passed by the Indian Parliament which thus facilitated the constitution of the present TA.

The CM added that the TA was formally inaugurated by Sir C Rajagopalachari, the first Governor General of free India on October 9, 1949.Since then, October 9 has been celebrated as Territorial Army Day.

O Ibobi also mentioned luminaries who had been associated with TA like Subhash Chandra Bose, Pt JL Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Brig (retd) KP Singh Deo, AVSM, Brig (retd) Kapil Mohan, et al.

O Ibobi observed that the TA continues to provide invaluable support to the citizen through the commitment, bravery and sacrifice of its personnel.

He added, the force is truly an inspiration for the youth of the nation and the state.

Commanding Officer of 165 Infantry Battalion, TA, Colonel George Jacob presented shawl to the CM during the programme.

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