Animal Transport Memorial dedicated to nation

Bangalore, Dec 8 (UNI) In a fitting tribute to the services rendered by animals to the Indian Army, an Animal Transport Memorial was dedicated to the nation by ASC Centre and College Commandant Lieutenant General S K Dahiya at the Agram Grounds here today.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 21 lakhs, the memorial was the first of its kind in Asia. It consisted of a convey of mules carrying war like stores on a mountain track.

The memorial was designed and fabricated by renowned sculptor Tejendra S Baoni. It was made up of fibre and took an year to complete the work, after getting approval from the Adjutant General's branch Army Headquarters and Ministry of Defence. The work was executed by the team of Army Service Corps Centre.

The Animal Transport in the Army had offered outstanding contribution since it was first inducted in 1845 as Scinde Camel Baggage Corps and later organised as Animal Transport Corps in 1900/01. The recognition of this commitment in operations in the recent past came in the form of Chief of the Army Staff's Unit Citation, which was awarded to 874 Animal Transport Battalion Army Service Corps for its role in 'Operation Vijay' at Kargil.

UNI MSP GD TS1755