DEENCE MINISTER AK ANTONY REVIEWED THAT TERRITORIAL ARMY HAS IT'S OWN IMPORTANTS

Defence Minister A K Antony today reviewed the Prime Minister's Territorial Army (TA) Day Parade here today and said the citizens' army was an important component of the national security apparatus.



"Our Citizen's Army is actively involved in several fields that help the nation to move forward and development. The TA is truly an important component of our national security apparatus. Its voluntary nature makes it all the more praiseworthy," he said.

Smartly turned out contingents marched to martial tunes in the presence of a large crowd at the parade, which commemorated 61 years of the TA.
The Defence Minister was received at the ceremony by Maj Gen H K Singh, Additional Director General, Territorial Army.
The parade was also attended by Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, three Service Chiefs and other civil and military dignitaries, including military and defence attaches from foreign countries.
The parade, commanded by Col DS Chauhan, comprised ten marching contingents, 14 pipe bands and four military brass bands. Smart drill movements and an exhilarating marchpast, by the Terriers of Citizen's Army, filled the spectators with a feeling of national pride.
This year's added attraction was a display of specialist dogs and their handlers, involved in executing operations in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the North East.
This was followed by the citizen soldiers on 103 cycles, led by Capt S S Chauhan, who had undertaken a Trans India Cycle Expedition "Pradeshik Bhraman", completing 1,30,000 kms across the country.
Later, Mr Antony visited the exhibition organised by departmental Territorial Army units, including units of Railways, Oil Sector, General Hospital and Ecological Task Forces. It provided an insight into the functioning of these units as also their achievements, during hours of crisis, in peace as well as war. "Environment Protection" was an important highlight of this exhibition.
The Defence Minister complemented all Terriers for rendering yeoman service to the nation as also for putting up a splendid display of capabilities.
"The nation is proud of the high standards of professionalism shown by the Territorial Army. Today, a large number of TA units are deployed in J&K and North East, working hand-in-hand with their counterparts in our Armed Forces. They are doing duty in the most rigorous of terrains - from Himalayas to Andaman & Nicobar Islands and from Nagaland to Jaisalmer. TA units have displayed courage and showed extraordinary commitment during wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971 in Operation Vijay during Kargil conflict, Operation Parakram, counter- insurgency areas," Mr Antony said.
He noted that the Terriers had played a crucial role in maintaining communication and relief during times of natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes. In particular, he praised the contribution of the Ecological Task Forces o the TA, which have undertaken plantation drives in remote areas of the country.
Mr Antony expressed pride that prominent personalities such as former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev and Malayalam film superstar Mohan Lal had joined the TA.