On the occasion of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” and to commemorate 258th Army Medical Corps Raising Day under the aegis of Directorate General of Medical Service (Army), Army Medical Corps Motorcycle Expedition flagging off programme was held at the PHQ Junction Kohima on 13th April 2022.
Home Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, IAS who flagged off the Army Medical Corps Motorcycle Expedition, in his speech said that in January 2020 we knew that something was there and by March 2020, the pandemic came in a big way, and there was no time for planning, but it came and this taught us a lesson that we should be prepared for anything. He appreciated the medical fraternity and every person involved who rose to the occasion and did whatever they could to ensure that every live was safe. The Home Commissioner also acknowledged how much the Army Medical Corps have done and they being the largest Medical Organisation in the world, they are in every nook and corner of the country, they are the frontline workers in the remote areas not only serving the army personnel but all the civilians. He appreciated their wonderful work done in the last two years. He said things are looking good now but then we should always be cautions and be in guard. The Home Commissioner, also said that his heart goes out to all the doctors and medical fraternity who during their line of duty could not survive and salute them as we could overcome the pandemic because of their selfless services. He also appreciated for carrying out the motorcycle expedition
Team Leader, Army Medical Corps Motorcycle Expedition, Col. Rajesh W. Adhau, in his speech said that since the team has entered North Eastern states, they got a warm welcome from all the states they visited for which the team appreciated. He stated that the expedition journey was flagged off from 3rd April 2020 and would culminate on 22th April 2022 covering around 9800 km or more in 22 days. Col. Rajesh W. Adhau also stated that the main aim of this expedition was to show their appreciation to the doctors and the frontline workers who have fought with the COVID pandemic since its outbreak for the last 2 and half years and the challenges faces by them during the Covid times. He added that we have won the COVID war, saying that during a war, we don’t know where our enemies are but we are aware. He also said that the team expedition was to have interaction with the civil doctors and the Directors of Medical Hospitals, Army Establishment, Medical establishment, Civil Establishment, Medical Colleges and see what each state has done during the COVID times.
Short speeches were also proposed by Jt. CEO NSDMA, Johnny Ruangmei and MD NHM, Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Thorusie Kattiry.
The motorcycle expedition being conducted encompasses 4 Commands and 12 States including seven North East states and during the expedition, the team will visit more than 75 Army & Civil medical establishments to motivate the doctors and paramedics “The Corona Warriors”, posted at far-flung areas providing critical medical support with ethos of Shoulders behind Soldiers". The expedition will cover over 10,000 km (5500 km in the jungles and mountains) over a span of 20 days of driving time. The expedition involves driving in treacherous road conditions in the wild, mighty jungles and in mountains of North East states.
The Army Medical Corps (AMC) which is the largest health care organization in the country, has been assiduously rendering medical care to the personnel in uniform and civilians in remote areas for last seven decades. Unique in the annals of AMC, this motorcycle expedition is being undertaken exclusively by the health fraternity of Army Medical Corps. The expedition team consists of 3 Spl Officers, 2 Med Officers, 3 Non Tech Officers and 2 Other Ranks along with 2 reserve members from Army Medical Corps. The bikes are from Jawa Motors, special classic Army Fleet edition.
The team being led by Col Rajesh W Adhau, SM, who is a mountaineer, adventure enthusiast and a Kargil War Veteran. Other members of the team include Col Sanjay Kumar, a keen mountaineer, Lt Col Vishal Chopra a spirited Psychiatrist, Lt Col Veerbhadrappa, an Eye Specialist, Lt Col Mrigank Choubey, Paediatric Cardiologist, Lt Col Mahesh Mahto, a Limca Book record holder from previous AMC Motorcycle Expedition, Maj Girish G a long distance cyclist and Maj Srinivas, a Para motor pilot, Hav Vinayak D Dhamale and Nk Deepak Kumar Singh are veteran riders who were also part of AMC Motorcycle expedition and had registered their names in India Book and Limca Book Record for Indian Army, Hav Yogesh Matwa and Nk Satheesh D who are part of the team as reserve.
The flag-off of the prestigious expedition was done by the Surg Vice Adm Rajat Datta, AVSM, SM, VSM, PHS, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services on 3rd April 2022 at National War Memorial, New Delhi. This unique effort not only strengthen the ‘Espirit De Corps and spirit of adventurism among all ranks of Army but also help in showcasing the tough and robust side of the AMC Warriors.
(Maongtemjen, IA)
