Shillong, April 24: Indian Army’s Headquarters 101 Area , Shillong celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on Monday.
The day commenced with a ceremony paying tributes to the brave hearts at the Shillong War Memorial, Rhino Prerna Sthal, by Lieutenant General RP Kalita, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C) Eastern Command, Indian Army .
Major General RK Jha, Officiating General Officer Commanding (GOC) 101 Area and all soldiers of Headquarters 101 Area also paid tributes to those who had dedicated themselves for the nation.
The 101 Communication Zone, as it was then called, was raised on April 22, 1963 in the wake of the Chinese aggression, for provision of logistic support to all formations and units in the Northeast.
HQ 101 Area has a historically unique distinction of having taken part in active combat operations despite being a logistic formation. It undertook counter-Insurgency operations in Mizoram from 1966-69 . During 1971 war, HQ 101 Area took part in operations in Sylhet and Mymensingh districts of erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and was the first formation to reach Dacca on the morning of 16 December 1971 leading to surrender by Pakistan that afternoon, earning it the name First in Dacca. Over time, 101 Area has evolved to provide logistic support in remote and challenging terrain in border areas across entire Northeastern region. It has contributed immensely in nation building aiding infrastructure development, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring outreach to remote villages.
While conveying his compliments on the occasion, the GOC-in-C Eastern Command addressed all soldiers of 101 Area and complimented them for carrying forward the legacy of dedicated service to the nation. To commemorate it’s 60 glorious years of service to the nation, release of a special cover and stamp was also a part of the event. The unveiling of busts of Major General Gurbaksh Singh Gill and Major General Gandharv Nagra, the GOCs of 101 Area during 1971 war who had helped curate the resounding Indian Army victory in 1971 war, was also another highlight.
Lt Gen RP Kalita also flagged in the Rhino Riders Motorcycle Rally organised by Headquarters 101 Area .The rally was flagged off on April 9 by Governor of Meghalaya Phagu Chauhan, from Rhino Training Complex Shillong.
The motorcycle rally team travelled though Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh celebrating the spirit of patriotism in the year of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. They also interacted with the youth,veterans and veer naris .
