Himalayan Times (1955)

Two

'jJjii»ala!>«M

November 13, 1955

RE-UNION OF SOLDIERS & EX-SOLDIERS
HELD AT DARJEELING

Darjeeling, November 10

A Re-Union of the
Serving Soldiers, ex-Sold-
iers and their Families
was held on the 4th No-
vember, 1955, at the
Viotoria Park, Darjeeling.
The Governor and Shri-
mati Mookerjee graced the
function with their kind
presence.

Many dignitaries, civil
and military, attended,
and the Governor specially
talked to the veterans,
War-disabled and widows.

Charitable grants from
the Army Central Welfare
Fund amounting to Rs.
810/- were distributed to
8 widows by the Gover-
nor, who also presented
Campaign Medals/Stars to
4 of the entitled person-
nel present.

The items of the pro-
gramme during the oeca
Bion included the Baby
Show open to all children
below 3 years, physioal
displays by ex Serviceman
B B Pariyar and the race
for veterans over 00 years.
Shrimati Mookerjee pre-
sented the prizes to the
winners. Khukri Dance
by small boys organised
by the Gorkha Recruiting
Depot, Ghoom, was also
exhibited.

The most imposing
item marking a unique
novelty of the programme
was the placing of wreaths
on the replica of the War
Memorial by the Governor
and by Major Raj Singh,
Offg. Commandant, 3 Raj.
Rifles, in the unavoidable
absence of the Brigade
Commander. The cere-
mony during the occasion
with the observance of 2
minutes' silence by the
large gathering present in
memory of these who fell
in World wars I and II
was characterised by all
solemnity and reminiscence
of the glory of the war-
riors concerned.

In welcoming tlie Go
vernor and Shrimati Moo-
kerjee, the Board took
the opportunity of sub-
mitting a few represen-
tations to the Governor.
These were specially in
regard to finalisation of
the proposal for the rai-
sing cf the District Units
of the West Bengal Na-
tional Volunteer Force for
the employment of ex-
Serficemen, settlement on
suitable and profitable
plots of land of ex-Servi-
ce personnel and construc-
tion of a War Memorial
to speak at all times of

the chivalry and gallantry
of many of the citizens
of the District, who laid
down their lives in World
wars I and II.

Mention was also made
of the proposed organisa-
tion of Motor Transport
and Workshop scheme that
is being intended to be
emarked upon by the local
ex-Servicemen's Associa-
tion specially for the em-
ployment of demoblised
Soldiers and their depen-
dants. The working of
the scheme being, how-
ever, solely dependant on
the securing nf the requi-
red permits for the Vehi-
cles to be plied, it was
prayed that a special con-
sider), tion may very kindly
be accorded in the matter
of granting such permits.

The Asstt. Secretary,
State Soldiers' Sail rs' and
Airmen's Board, West
Bengal, also read out a
report on the working of
the Boards in West
Bengal.

The Governor was
pleased to recall in reply
the deeds of valour of
the Soldiers of this Dis-
trict in World wars I nnd
II, and paid a glowing
tribute to those, who laid
down their lives for the
country. He observed
that the needs of ex-
Servicemen required the
Government's most sym-
pathetic consideration.
(Continued on page 7)