Army Chief on Myanmar visit; Army conducted a two-day major disaster management exercise
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    • Reports noted that Indian Army Chief General VK Singh on began his five-day visit to Yangon to bolster defence ties and mutual understanding between India and Myanmar. During this five-day visit from January 5 to 9, the Army Chief will meet Myanmar's President, Commander-in-Chief of its defence forces, Chief of General Staff of the Army and other senior officials in the government. General Singh will also visit the country's defence institutions like National Defence College, Command and General Staff College and North Western Command headquarters. In order to strengthen the defence cooperation between the two countries, India will offer to increase the number of vacancy reserved for Myanmar's gentlemen cadets in the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla in Pune. With enhanced thrust on sprucing up existing border mechanism between India and Myanmar, India will also offer road construction equipment to Myanmar for improving connectivity in bordering areas and across the border. 1

    In another development, reports noted that the Army conducted a two-day major disaster management exercise - ex-Mountain Rescue in Aid to Civil Authority - at the Annandale ground, Shimla, on January 6 and 7, in order to be prepared for the natural calamities and disasters. The exercise was conducted in conjunction with the Civil Administration and Fire Service Department. The aim of exercise was to practice evacuation of Civilian population from the disaster affected areas in the mountains of Himachal. Army Aviation Corps and Air Force helicopters practiced casualty evacuation drills in conjunction with the Army’s Special Forces and regular troops of Jutogh battalion. The Army spokesperson noted that major calamities that have struck the Indian sub continent during the last decade have underscored the need to adopt a multi dimensional, multi disciplinary and multi sector approach to disaster management. “Within the ambit of this approach the armed forces constitute a significant and potent entity, available with in the Central and State Government for disaster response and relief. The armed forces by virtue of their organisational strength motivation discipline and operational preparedness have always risen to the occasion earning the appreciation of the environment for their singular contribution towards disaster management”, the spokesperson added. The organizational strength of the Army formation and units was also displayed during the exercise. 2

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