Port Blair, Jan 15: On the occasion of 70th Army Day, a special Sainik Sammelan was organised by the Army Component of Andaman & Nicobar Command in Brichgunj Military Station, Port Blair.15thJanuary is celebrated as Army day to commemorate the taking over of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander in Chief of India by Lt Gen KM Cariappa (Later Field Marshal) as the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Indian Army, in 1949.
A series of events were organised at Birchgunj Military Station as a precursor to Army Day and all army personnel of the Andaman & Nicobar Command actively participated in these events. A Swachhta Pakhwada cum Tree Plantation Drive was organised on 08 January in which all the army personnel and their families undertook a cleanliness drive along the coastline line of Birchgunj Station followed with plantation of more than 500 saplings in collaboration with the Forest Department.
Mr DK Paul, DFO, Social Forestry Division and other Forest Department Officials also participated in the event.
With the aim of promoting good health in the society, a Blood Donation and Wellness Camp was organized by the Army Welfare Wives Association AWWA(Port Blair) at Birchgunj on 09 January with the help of a team of doctors from INHS, Dhanvantari and GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair. Medical examination and gynecological screening of approximately 91 women was carried out and their medical health record cards were also prepared. In addition, more than 150 units of blood were donated by the army soldiers to the blood collection team of GB Pant Hospital.
On the occasion, Brigadier Gaurav Gautam, Army Component Commander addressed and exhorted all the army soldiers to maintain a high standard of operational preparedness so as to ensure that army successfully overcomes all the emerging challenges and threats to the nation. Admiral Bimal Verma, AVSM, ADC, the Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command congratulated and wished a very happy Army Day to all Army personnel of the Command. He further acknowledged the supreme sacrifice made by gallant soldiers of the Army in the service of the nation.
