Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha Visit to Bangladesh

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) and Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) is on an official visit to Bangladesh from 21 Feb to 25 Feb 16. The visit is intended to take the existing defence cooperation between the Armed Forces of two countries to the next level. The areas of cooperation presently include exchange in Military Training courses, exchange visits and joint sporting activities.

During his stay at Bangladesh, the Chief of the Air Staff is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the three Service Chiefs of the Bangladesh Armed Forces at Dhaka. He will also ‘call-on’ the President and the Prime Minister of the Bangladesh. The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promote Defence ties, and outline further areas of defence co-operation between the two countries. The CAS will also visit the Air Bases at Jessore, Bashar & Chittagong, the National Defence College, Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) at Mirpur and Bangladesh Army Headquarters.

During his visit to the Military Institute of Science and Technology, Air Chief Marshal Raha shall be presenting several Training Aids relating to aircraft systems, as a goodwill gesture. The Air Chief’s visit would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the two Air Forces and pave way for greater interaction in the future.

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Chief of the Naval Staff Hosts a Reception for Naval Veterans

Admiral RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff hosted a reception this afternoon 21 Feb 16 (Sunday) at the Naval Officers’ Mess, Varuna for the naval veterans residing in and around Delhi NCR. Admiral and Mrs. Minu Dhowan interacted with the retired naval officers and their spouses.

Being an important activity of the Navy Week celebrations every year, the event affords an excellent opportunity for interaction between the serving and the retired naval fraternity. Over the years this event has provided a platform that facilitates not only exchange of ideas but also helps in obtaining feedback on the various initiatives implemented by the service for its retired community.

The gathering comprising those in uniform and those who have re-attired into different outfits post retirement from active-service, represented a vast pool of knowledge, experience and wisdom that is collectively leveraged for the benefit of the Navy in particular and for the country at large. The event was well attended by retired officers comprising largely from those residing in Delhi and the NCR. In addition, senior serving officers in station were also present.

During the event, CNS apprised the veterans on the various naval activities including the recently conducted mega event ‘International Fleet Review’ at Visakhapatnam, future plans of the Navy and other initiatives taken towards developing various facilities in the NCR for the serving and retired naval fraternity. In addition, the veterans also got an opportunity to interact with the professional teams {from IHQ MoD (Navy)} on issues related to pension, welfare and medical facilities etc.

The event also witnessed the release of ‘Quarterdeck’ – an annual magazine published by the Navy Foundation. The magazine has over the years established itself as a conduit between the veterans and the serving communities and Senriches with the memoirs of our veterans. It facilitates a virtual walk down the memory lane.