Sappers celebrate 226th Corps Day

Chandigarh, Nov 18 (UNI) Keeping in line with the high traditions of the Indian Army, the Corps-of-Engineers, more popularly known as 'Sappers', celebrated their 226th anniversary with pomp and gaiety at Western Command headquarters at Chandimandir today.

Western Command Chief Engineer Maj Gen Gautam Banerjee, the senior most serving engineer officer in the military station, laid a wreath at a specially organised ceremony at the ''Veer Smriti'' war memorial to mark the occasion.

Later, a social evening was organised in the Shivalik Officers Institute where all serving and retired officers, met with their families. Lt Gen Daljeet Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command and Mrs Mohini Daljeet Singh, President AWWA, Western Command were also present on the occasion.

Sappers have a long history, spanning over more than two centuries, of providing engineering support to the army both during war and peace. During war, these engineers carry out multifarious tasks such as laying and breaching of minefields, construction of assault bridges, helipads, development of tracks for mobility of vehicles and so on. During peacetime, they are always in the forefront carrying out tasks in support of the deployed troops in insurgency areas, neutralizing bombs, constructing roads and shelters and providing water supply and electricity.

The challenges thrown up by modern day warfare such as nuclear, chemical and biological defence have also been entrusted to the Sappers. The multifaceted employment of Sappers aptly justifies their motto of ''Sarvatra'' which means omnipresent.

The Western Command Engineers on their part have contributed immensely in maintaining high level of defence preparedness as well as working towards nation building. They have also been contributing in humanitarian tasks such as rehabilitation of earthquake victims by constructing shelters along the Northern borders, for which they have earned praise.

The Military Engineering Services (MES) and Border Roads Organisation form important constituents of the Corps of Engineers which play a pivotal role in development of infrastructure, construction of buildings and roads and maintenance of all housing for the army. The Married Accomodation project, which aims at addressing the problem of housing for families of defence personnel, is also being executed under the aegis of the Engineers-in-Chief of the Army Headquarters.

UNI HS AD DS1404