Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Sept 28: The Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery celebrated its 188th Raising Day’ today across the Northern Command.
The ‘Raising Day’, which is also known as the ‘Gunners Day’, is observed on September 28 to mark the raising of the first Indian Artillery unit, the then 5 Bombay Mountain Battery, on this momentous day in 1827.
On this occasion GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen DS Hooda, praised the professional standards and ethos of the gunners and called upon the Artillery units deployed in J&K to reach even higher standards of excellence and continue to contribute towards peace and stability in the region.
Ever since the concept of causing destruction to the enemy’s war machine from a standoff distance evolved in warfare, Artillery has been a major battle winning arm and its importance continues in the modern day battlefield. The Regiment of Artillery has been part of all the wars that India has fought since its independence and the gunners have proved their mettle by their professional acumen and dedication. The victory of the Indian Army over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict in 1999 demonstrated the fire power of the Artillery, which pounded and systematically destroyed the enemy’s will to fight, and proved to be the major battle winning factor.
The Gunners have always been renowned for their professional excellence and exacting standards, and continue to perform their duties in the Northern theatre with utmost dedication, in difficult, hostile and inhospitable terrain conditions. The Gunners are also actively undertaking counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, and have made an immense contribution in ensuring peace in the region.
Artillery units and formations are also involved in a number of Operation Sadbhavana projects to help and build the socio-economic life of people in Jammu & Kashmir, with the underlying message of peace and harmony in the region.
The Gunner of today, while meeting operational challenges, is exploring a vast and technologically superior inventory of the Artillery weapon systems comprising of long range guns, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and sophisticated surveillance and locating devices/radars.
On the occasion of ‘Gunners Day’, Major Gen VK Yadav, Major General Operations & Logistic Northern Command called upon all Gunners to rededicate themselves to uphold the ethos and spirit enshrined in the motto of the Regiment of Artillery, ‘Everywhere with honour and glory’.
To commemorate 188th Gunners Day, the Crossed Swords Division organised a blood donation campy at Tanda near Akhnoor. More than 100 serving soldiers donated blood during the camp. The event included exhibition of posters based on blood donation awareness to motivate participation of more donors in this noble venture.
In a gesture to reach out to the physically disabled children of Akhnoor, the Crossed Swords Division also exercised its venture named “SAVERA”, a facility for special children.
Naveeta K Singh, chairperson Family Welfare Organisation, Crossed Swords Division interacted with all the special children at “SAVERA” and distributed gifts and candies to the little ones.
“SAVERA” takes care of needs of special children by imparting special education facilities to the physically handicapped children by trained staff to include physio, speech, music and vocational therapist.
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