By Matters India Reporter
Darjeeling: An army cantonment in Darjeeling felicitated outstanding community services during their annual events held for civilians on January 15.
The Jalapahar and Lebong military cantonments in Darjeeling held Run for the Nation – mini marathon for civilians with prize money awarded both for male and female categories of winners who participated in the six kilometer run in the hills.
More than 500 runners participated in the event scheduled for the sunny Sunday morning in the chilly winter weather.
“The overwhelming number of participants compelled us to close registration for the event pretty early,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Cantonment Yashpal Singh (IDES).
At the conclusion of the marathon after the victors were felicitated with trophy, certificates and cash awards, some outstanding civilians were felicitated for their contribution to the hills people. Among them were persons who made a mark in music, theatre, media, art and social work.
Colonel Sanjeev Bajpai felicitated Station Director of Radio Salesian Fr C.M. Paul, Darjeeling Satellite Television CEO Mr Milan Chhetri, and Darjeeling Press Guild representative Mr Prashant in the media category.
Radio Salesian is the first college run Community Radio in West Bengal and entire northeast India officially launched December 8, 2016.
The Citation awarded as a token of appreciation on the behalf of the entire Defence Forces to Station Director Radio Salesian Fr C.M. Paul reads “your outstanding commitment and dedication to the community sets you above the others as leader and advocate for providing services, stability and empowerment to the community you serve.”
Program Coordinator of Radio Salesian RJ Samir Chhetri too received a similar citation.
The six members of Radio Salesian RJ team were also felicitated with ceremonial scarves.
Speaking at the event, Chief Guest, Superintendent of Police Amit P. Javalgi highlighted the social problems Darjeeling Police face and called upon young people to keep away from drug and alcohol addiction; and abuse of internet which often led to sex trafficking and sexual abuse.
He also warned young people of the dangers of addiction in the use of mobile phone which prevents young people from staying physically fit. He pleaded with parents “to engage children in outdoor activities.”
Speaking to Matters India Singh who has charge of more than 3,000 people in the Type 4 cantonment, explained the purpose of the mini marathon as “our response to create awareness and instill the habits of cleanliness and health campaign Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched.”
The Cantonment also runs Vocational Training Centre in Jalapahar and Lebong where the military imparts free technical education such as Computer Science, Communicative English, Beauty and Hair Styling. The hill VTC provide such courses free of cost with all the facilities viz. computers, books, uniforms, shoes and even free medical facility to students.
The students in Dept. of Computer Science are taught video editing, audio editing, desk top publishing, computer aided designing, use of computers in office management.