Antony to present scooters to disabled soldiers

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 22: Defence Minister A K Antony will handover the keys of specially altered scooters to disabled veterans at the RDR Auditorium in Idapazhanjy on September 27.

Antony will also address army veterans. On September 27 evening, the army's motorcycle stunt team, "Shweta Ashwa" and three military bands will perform at the Chandrasekhar Nair Stadium, while on September 28, the army will exhibit some of its equipment, including a T-72 battle tank, on Shangumugham Beach.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army will recruit soldiers from seven districts in Kerala from September 25 to October 5.

Youngsters between the age of 17 and a half and 23 from Ernakulam, Kottyam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts will be eligible.

The recruitment drive will be conducted at the Chandrasekhar Nair Stadium.

Applicants will be asked to register on the first day and thereafter will undergo relevant medical and physical tests. A written examination will take place at a later date and the names of those candidates who are successful will be published later.

Major General E. J. Kochekkan, General Officer Commanding (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala), said the recruitment process would be fair, transparent and free of extraneous influence. He said that the identity of the candidates would be checked at various stages to ensure there is no impersonation.

The Military Intelligence Directorate, the State Government and the State Police Intelligence would work in tandem to ensure that the applicants do not fall prey to touts, he added.

ANI