Vajra Corps celebrates Raising Day

Jalandhar, Mar 1 (UNI) The elite Vajra Corps of the Indian Army today celebrated its 58th Raising Day here.

On the occasion, Corps' General Officer Commanding Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj laid a wreath at the war memorial in memory of those gallant soldiers, who laid down their lives for the sake of the nation.

Former Chief of Army Staff Gen (retd) V P Malik also graced the occasion alongwith his wife. Other senior Army officers also paid homage to the martyrs.

After the wreath laying ceremony, Lt Gen Thamburaj interacted with the retired and serving Army officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and jawans over tea.

Later, the GOC addressed a special Sainik Sammelan, where he exhorted all ranks and their families to be prepared physically and mentally to absorb modern technology and modern warfare concepts. He further explained various welfare schemes being mplemented by the Vajra Corps for the welfare of families.

The Corps derives its name from Lord Indira's powerful thunderbolt ''Vajra'', the symbol of sacrifice of a great sage Dadhichi, who voluntarily sacrificed his body to make the fiercest weapon from his thighbone.

The Vajra Corps proved its mettle, right from its inception and has won many laurels braving all odds. The Corps was raised on March 1, 1950 at Ambala under the able leadership of Lt Gen Kulwant Singh.

Later the Corps was commanded by distinguished generals like Lt Gen SP Thorat, Lt Gen J N Choudhary, Lt Gen VP Malik, Lt Gen HB Kala, Lt Gen Kamal Davar, Lt Gen Shantonu Choudhary, Lt Gen S Pattabhiraman and Lt Gen Mandhata Singh.

The Vajra Corps has performed illustratiously in all battles it had fought since its raising. Its battle honours include Asal Uttar, Dera Baba Nanak, Dograi and Burki.

UNI