FEEDBACK: SWATANTRATA DIWAS MELA AT
PINEWOOD SCHOOL, HAMIRPUR ON 13 AUG 2016

Intro.

1. Marking the 70th anniversary of Independence, a Swatantrata Divas mela was organised at Pinewood School, Hamirpur on 13th Aug 2016 under the aegis of Bhimber Gali Bde. Brig PP Singh, Cdr Bhimber Gali Bde was the chief guest for the event where a gathering of approx 550 people congregated to witness the event which incl students of PWS Hamirpur, PWS Sabra, Govt Higher Secondary School Dhargloon, Ex-Servicemen, parents and villagers of nearby villages. The event was also attended by Dy Cdr and all COs of Bhimber Gali Bde and various civil adm Officials which incl Mr Gurvinder Singh, Addl DC Poonch & Mr Thakur Sher Singh, SDM Mendhar

Conduct

2. The programme commenced at 1115hrs with the arrival of the Chief Guest, followed by welcome speech and an address on 'Perception Management through development' by the OC, Sadbhavana which summarized various Sadbhavana activities conducted in the Bde AOR recently. This was followed by a colourful portrayal of talent, by the children of PWS, Hamirpur and Sabra which incl a speech, patriotic songs, a folk number, dance by nursery kids and a bhangra and the pgme created ripples of enjoyment among the audience.

3. Sarpanches from nearby villages of Bharuthi and Basuni shared their gratitude for the army initiatives and various Sadbhavana proj thereafter. This was followed by grant of a cheque worth Rs 5,84,000/- (Rupees five lac eighty four thousand only) as compensation to a handicapped porter and felicitation to various civ and conservancy staffs by the chief guest after which the chief guest addressed the gathering.

4. There was a stunning performance of 'Ghatka' by the Mendhar Bn and an elegant display of Pipe band by the Hamirpur Bn which were received with great applause by the audience.

5. The chief guest interacted with the villagers during the tea which was organised and subsequently inaugurated various stalls that were set up as part of the mela to open vistas to a wider horizon for the local populace of far flung remote villages. The stalls which were put up for display incl:-

(a) Weapon display
(b) Know Your Army
(c) Ex Servicemen issues
(d) Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Depts

6. There was also a career guidance and counselling session by a team of Bhimber Gali Bde consisting of Mrs Sonika Chauhan, Mrs Kalpana Sharma & Mrs Nidhi Thimmaiah for the children of classes X, XI and XII. Students turned up in bulk from various school and clarified their doubts regarding various streams of higher studies.

7. A medical camp was also conducted by Capt Lakshmi S Babu, OC ADS and approx 100 patients sought medical consultation.

8. Photographs of the event is att as per Appx.

Conclusion

9. The Swatantrata Divas Mela turned out to be a great success in bridging the gaps between the Army and the local populace and aided in developing harmonious co existence. It also provided a background for flamboyant show of talent by the school children and an exhibition of a variety of awareness stalls.