Col GKS Reddy Coins: MY BUCKET LIST - VISIT NORTH EAST INDIA

CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY

C/O COL GKS REDDY,
Secunderabad - 500015.

Visit to Mizoram State ( D+ 9 to D + 11)

Mizoram /m ɪ.'z oʊ.'r a m/ (Mizo pronunciation: /m ɪ.'z oʊ.'r a m) (from mi 'people', zo 'hill', ram 'country', literally "land of the hill people" / Mizo people) is one of the Seven Sister States of the North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipurand with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl.

D + 9 (19 Mar 2013)

(a) The Flt to Aizawl was scheduled at 1215h, hence I spent the morning, visiting TA Battalion Office to meet the Officers and JCOs and to have a cup of Farewell Tea with them. Reached Imphal Airport by 1130h. Took off by Flt AI 713 at 1230h and landed at Lengpui Airport Aizawal at 1315h. Had to spend almost an hour inside the Airport as some Special Security Check was going on. It was a clear sky when I came out of the Airport at about 1430h. Reached HQ 23 AR Officers Mess at Katla Locality of Aizawl by 1600h, where I was to spend next two nights.

(b) The Road from Lengpui Airport to Katla was narrow and very steep slopes + most of the distance. As it was quite late to go around Aizawl, I spent the evening going around the Mess complex and taking photograps of the City landscape from different angles, as the Mess was located on a dominating hill, offering beautiful view of the city (Photos 128 to 131).

View of Aizawl Town from 23 Sect AR Officers Mess Location

View of Aizawl Town from a Different Angle

At 23 Sect Officers Mess, with Aizawl Town as Background

Another view of Aizawl Town

D + 10 (20 Mar 2013)

The next morning, after a courtesy call on Commander 23 Sect AR at his office, had a cup of tea with all officers, after which I proceeded to the office of ‘The Ex- Servicemen League’, which was co-located with Dy Commissioner’s office. I met, Col John Zama, Secretary Rajya Sainik Board, Govt of Mizoram and Ex – Servicemen of Assam Regt & my Parent unit. From Ex- Servicemen office, I went around the city and was impressed with the Traffic Discipline of drivers. The city traffic was quite smooth, in spite of narrow roads and very steep slopes. In the evening, a dinner party was organized at 23 Sect Officers Mess (Photos 132 to 135).

With Ex - Assam Regt Officers & JCOs at Ex Servicemen League Office

At Ex Servicemen League Office - L to R Sitting - Col John Zama,

Col Josang Zwala Lushai, sitting MLA, Self & Maj Murchhunga Lushai

During Dinner at 23 Sect AR Mess - Self, Maj Murchhunga, Cdr (IN) Tluanga Lushai,

Director Sainik Welfare and Col John Zama Lushai

With Constable Anjaneyulu of Assam Rifles, My Helper during my stay at Mizoram

D + 11 (21 Mar 2013)

(a) As I planned to leave for Shillong in the AN, had early lunch and checked out from 23 Sect AR Officers Mess by 1130h. Went to meet Col John Zama, Secretary Rajya Sainik Board, Mizoram and Ex- Assam Regt Officer. From there, both of us went to call on Family of Late Col Van Lal Ruata, with whom I had served at Faisabad in 1976.

(b) Mrs Ruata was very happy to see me after almost 37 years, though the children could not remember me, as they were quite young at that time. From there we went straight to Aizawl Bus Stand and caught 1530h Bus to Shillong(Photos 136 to 139 & DSCN 3220).