PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Nov 9: A welcome ceremony to commemorate 50 years of the 1971 Indo-Pak War was organised today at Tata Steel Main Gate in Jamshedpur.
Present on the occasion were Sanjiv Paul, vice- president ( Safety, Health & Sustainability )Tata Steel, Col. Rajat Kumar, administrative commandant from Jamshedpur Military Station, Colonel Mohit Sahay, commanding Officer from 100 Field Regiment, Captain Aditya Pratap Singh Rathore and Capt. Maaz Khan and their team from the Jamshedpur Military Station, senior officials of Tata Steel and group companies among others.
The objective to welcome the Victory Flame at Jamshedpur is not only to commemorate 50 years of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, also christened Swarnim Vijay Varsh, but also to highlight organisation’s commitment to nation-building.
Sanjiv Paul in his speech on the momentous occasion said, “We are gathered here today to recognise and remember the sacrifices our country’s military has made – the 50th year of the 1971 India-Pakistan War. Swarnim Vijay Varsh is being observed to commemorate India’s military operation over Pakistan in the 1971 war and the selfless sacrifice and dedication of the Indian military personnel in protecting the sovereignty of our country. It is indeed a proud moment that we are welcoming the Victory Flame today at Jamshedpur.”
Paul added that people feel extremely proud that Tata Steel and the city of Jamshedpur has been honoured by the visit of the Victory Flame – which is also an acknowledgement of Tata Steel’s contribution to nation-building for over a century.
The commemoration of India’s victory is being celebrated with the passing through of the Southern Cardinal Victory Flame. The flame was received at the Jamshedpur Military Station on November 7 and will move on to many more cities from November 11.
Tata Steel reflects the country’s voyage of self-reliance as the company has been a resolute partner on this front, by way of its innumerable corporate and philanthropic contributions to the country and its people.
Be it in the field of industry, infrastructure, education or healthcare, the company has been the proud flagbearer of Atmanirbhar Bharat for more than a century now.
Tata Steel’s contribution to India’s military forces goes back to nearly 80 years ago when the company manufactured the Tatanagar Armoured Car.
This was the first and only Indian-made armoured car that battled the axis powers in Africa during World War II.
Special quality sheets of alloy steel and silicon and bullet-proof armour plates were produced here at the Jamshedpur Works to manufacture the armoured cars.
In 1942, Tata Steel set up a mill to manufacture 1,000 TPM of armoured plates for defence carriers.
The armoured cars made from Tata Steel plates were named Tatanagars. During World War II, approximately 36000 tonnes of plates were supplied to manufacture the Tatanagar Armoured Cars.
In fact, one of the models of the armoured car is on display inside the Jamshedpur works.
