RS P Panwar Shillong, April 23: Retired Army soldiers and “Veer Naris’ were felicitated by Lieutenant General RS P Panwar during ‘Army Mela & Ex Servicemen rally’ held at Rhino Sports Complex on 23 Apr. Large number of people of Shillong witnessed the event. The event was part of the golden jubilee celebrations of HQ 101 Area. The Army Equipment and Weapons displayed were a craze among the visitors during the event. ‘SHWET ASHV’ and the dog show did a splendid repeat performance. The other attractions were skill, strength and courage display by the soldiers of the army, in Khukri dance, NE Warriors display and superb gymnastics.
Lieutenant General RS Panwar Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) HQ 101 area addressed the massive crowd. He said that the bonding between the Army and the people of Shillong has a history of more than 100 years. The aim of celebrating with the people of this Capital city was to showcase the Army and encourage the people of Shillong, Meghalaya and the North East to join the Indian Army. The Army is still one the best professions in the country. The General hoped that the effort of the Army to continue to work for the people of the country will improve the bonding and encourage the youth to join the profession. He later felicitated the retired soldiers and ‘veer naris’ and also hosted bara khana (community feast ) for them.
The scheduled fly past of helicopters was a success, but the flypast by SU-30 and skydiving by the Air Force ‘Air Devil team’ could not take place due bad weather. Besides this disappointment the crowd was rooted to their seats while watching the gymnastics display and NE warrior performance, and it continued for ‘Shwet Ashv’ Army Motor Cycle team performance, and the dog show. The children loved the dog show and it was their best event of the day. The weapons and equipment display was also a huge success. At the medical stall several visitors got the blood group tested for free.
The venue for the Army Mela was chosen for a very special reason. Mrs Inidra Gandhi the then Prime Minister addressed the soldiers of HQ 101 Area at this ground after India won the war in 1971. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed the Army Mela. Some visitors wanted the show to be held every year.(SP News)
