Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Mar 5: General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps, Lt General Satish Dua, today said that large number of Kashmiris are joining the Army and over 300 of them have received gallantry awards in last few years.
Speaking on the sidelines of passing out parade of recruits at Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regimental Centre at Rangreth in Srinagar, the GOC who is also Colonel of the regiment said that over the last few years large numbers of Kashmiri youth are joining Army.
“Overall, definitely increasing, last year two TA battalions were raised here. One in Jammu which was not there earlier. In recruitment drives, the aspirations turn up in good numbers. This is evident from the heavy rush of youth taking part in the rallies”, Lt Gen Dua said.
The GOC said that the Army men from Kashmir valley are no less better than the Army personnel from rest of the country and 300 of them have received gallantry awards.
“All I can say that the response to recruitment in the Army in different regiments is very enthusiastic. Last year, I recall a newspaper clipping, the headline said more than 20,000 youth turned up for 55 vacancies in a particular recruitment rally. So that is the kind of response we are seeing, I am from JAKLI, I can tell you that when these young soldiers join any regiment they are no less they are better than the best. In Kashmir region alone, we have approximately 300 who have been awarded gallantry awards”, Lt Gen Dua said.
The GOC said: “This was 103rd recruit course completed by JAKLI regiment centre. In all, 242 recruits today formally joined the Army and JAKLI and hail from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Earlier, while addressing the young soldiers of the regiment, Lt Gen Dua said:”Feeling great and honoured after watching this wonderful parade. Congratulations to all the young soldiers. Today you have completed the 11 months training during which you worked hard and sweat it out. One who is doing good in training, later saves blood in the war. Today is a very important day for all of you.”
“You have become brave-hearts in the Indian Army and JAKLI regiment. Regiments are meant for war but our JAKLI regiment owes its birth to war as well. In 1947, when Pakistani raiders attacked Jammu and Kashmir, various representatives of the people with their weapons rose to the occasion to defend their place. Many such volunteers became active in various parts of the State and after war, became part of JK Malitia, which was given the status of a paramilitary force”, the GOC said.
“In 1972, this malitia was absorbed in Indian Army as a regiment and four years later our name was changed to JAKLI. In the last 70 years, various platoons of the regiment created their own identity with the grit of hard work, bravery and sacrifice, whether operations, 1962, 1965, 71 wars or Kargil war, counter-insurgency, snow-bound Siachen area, everywhere we raised the platoon flags”, said Lt Gen Dua.
The GOC said: “Today I want to remind you of Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major (honourary captain) Bana Singh, want to remind you of Lieutenant Trivedi Singh, Ashok Chakra Awardee, and the best decorated soldier of Indian Army Ashok Chakra, Veer Chakra, Sena Medal awardee Naib Subedar Chuni Lal who are our inspiration and guiding us all. Not only for bravery, our JAKLI regiment is a glaring example of brotherhood and religious oneness, where the people of all the four religions work together in one section, where temple, mosque and Gurdwara are under one roof in all units. You have stepped in this regiment. You have to maintain it and further it. I want to congratulate JAKLI centre, your instructors, trainers who worked on you and the parade organisers and wish you success in every field.”
Earlier, Lt Gen Satish Dua, who recently assumed the reins of the Regiment also as its 15th Colonel of the Regiment reviewed the Parade.
Large number of spectators that included parents and relatives of the soldiers, veterans and other guests witnessed the parade.
During the investiture ceremony, Lt General Satish Dua also presented awards to the meritorious recruits who excelled in various facets of training. Recruit Rajiv Sharma was awarded the ‘Shere-e-Kashmir Sword of Honour’ for being adjudged ‘Overall Best Recruit’.
Sharma who is son of Army man hails from Rajouri said that he wants to serve the nation and that is the reason for his joining the Army.
The ‘Chewang Rinchen Medal’ was received by Recruit Iqbal Mohammad Baba of Baramulla for being adjudged ‘Best in Firing’ and Recruit Aamir Mushtaq of Bandipora bagged the ‘Bana Singh Medal’ for being Best in Drill.
At the end, parents and relatives pipped the soldiers making them ready to join their battalions.
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