Artillery Centre, Nashik celebrates 60 years

Nashik, Apr 7 (UNI) The Artillery Centre, Nashik Road kicked off a three-day celebration to mark its 60th anniversary, here.

Though the Centre has been at its present location since April 7, 1948, its history dates back to 1915 when the first Artillery Depot was established.

This premiere training institution has contributed immensely towards the growth of largest Regiment of the Indian Army. In these six decades, over 2,60,000 recruits have been transformed into gunners, and have crossed these hallowed portals in a rite of passage.

The mission of the Centre is to train physically tough, mentally robust and technically proficient young gunners capable of effortless integration with units of the Regiment. The Centre has maintained and met these commitments to the Regiment of Artillery, the Indian Army and the Nation with focus and intent.

Artillery Museum and War Memorial within its campus gives the vision of the proud past.

As a self sustained mini township, the Artillery Centre is well laid out in the sylvan surroundings of Nashik Road. Nestled at the foothills of the Shayadri's, it has nurtured and developed its environment to stand out as the green lungs of the location. The Centre has excelled not only in professional achievements but also in sports, games and adventure activities. Throughout its service, the Centre has produced soldiers of the highest caliber who have to their credit Agakhan Cup, Arjuna awards, established records at Commonwealth and achieved countless medals in International and National events.

Two of the archers -- Hav Rattan Kumar and Hav Babban Kumar -- have been selected for first and second World Cup Archery Tournament to be held at Dominican Republic and Croatia this month. The Archery Team is gold medal winner in Compound Division Category during the 28th Senior National Archery Championship held at Jamshedpur in January this year.

Wrestling, has always been the highlight of the Centre. The Centre is proud to produce wrestlers like Hav Manoj Kumar who won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games last year. Recently, L/NK Naresh Kumar, another prodigal sportsman of the Centre, was selected for the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships.

Shooting has been the forte of the Armed Forces. Sarvatra Shooting Club of the Centre has trained recruits and young soldiers in precision shooting. The team won accolades by winning the silver medal in Point 22 rifle team events besides winning the gold in Maharashtra State Air Weapon Competition.

Subedar R Pandiyan, winner of the gold medal during 33rd and 34th National Shooting Championships, is the coach of the team and the only Junior Commissioned Officer who has qualified as an International Category 'B' Judge.

To mark the completion of these glorious years, the Centre had organised a Health Run for all ranks and their families on March 30.

It was flagged off by Lieutenant General SPS Dhillon, AVSM, VSM, DCOAS (IS&T) and Colonel Commandant of Regiment of Artillery.

The celebration started yesterday.

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