Pune: Golden Jubilee Of SS (NT) 10 And Tech 2 Course Is Being Celebrated From 13th March

Pune, 12th March 2021: The golden jubilee of SS (NT) 10 and Tech 2 Course is being celebrated from 13th to 15th March 2021. It will commences with the Wreath Laying Ceremony at 4.45 pm onwards on 13th March 2021 at National War Memorial (SC), Pune Camp. 14 War Veterans of the 1971 Indo-Pak War will be present at the ceremony.

On 13th March 1971, 338 Gentlemen Cadets of Short Service (NT)-10 and Tech 2 Course passed out of Officers Training School, Chennai, not knowing the Historical significance, this date had in store for them. This was the First Army Course of Officers Commissioned in 1971 that participated, nine months later in a War, resulting in the liberation of erstwhile East Pakistan, and the creation of Bangladesh as a nation. It also made a World History of capturing the highest numbers of Prisoners of War (POW), 93,000 plus Pakistani Officers and Soldiers.

To commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Commissioning, which coincides with the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh, Officers of this Course from Maharashtra, decided to celebrate the occasion in a dignified manner. A Wreath laying ceremony to honour seven of their course mates, who were KIA  (Killed in Action) during the 1971 War, is being held before sunset, on Saturday 13th Mar 21, at the National War Memorial (SC), Pune.

Despite limited Pre Commission Training, this course has an enviable record of achievements. 22 Officers have been decorated with Higher Gallantry Awards of Chakra Series and several Service Honours, with many, fighting the age barrier, to reach General Officers rank. Most Officers have participated in Operations in Sri Lanka, UN Peace Keeping Forces, and Counter-Terrorist Operations in J&K, Punjab, and NE.

The spirit of selfless work culture, (NIS SWARTH KARTAVIYA NISHTHA), nurtured during service, is evident in all these War Veterans even today, who are now in their Seventies, with plenty of Laurels to recount. Post Retirements, many of these Officers have even become Chancellors / Vice-Chancellors of Universities, successful Businessmen and Top Level Corporate Officials. The Pune Chapter Veterans of Tenacious Tenners have recently started an NGO called Dharam Bharti Mission, for promoting Education, Empowerment, and Employment for the least fortunate members of the Society. These 1971 War Veterans have also volunteered themselves to visit Educational Institutes to motivate today’s Youth and to guide them to the Main Stream to join Indian Armed Forces.