Army Chief Visits Forward Areas in Uttarakhand, Inaugurates Community Radio Station
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), on Sunday (June 8) visited forward posts in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand to assess the operational preparedness of Indian troops stationed in high-altitude areas along the northern frontier.
During his interaction with soldiers, the Army chief lauded their professionalism and urged them to maintain constant vigilance in safeguarding India’s sensitive Himalayan borders.
Later the same day, Gen Dwivedi inaugurated Ibex Tarana 88.4 FM, a community radio station based in Jyotirmath—the first of its kind in the region. Envisioned as a platform for community engagement, cultural preservation, and awareness-building, the initiative also aligns with the Army’s ongoing efforts to strengthen civil-military ties in border areas.
Why is the Army focusing on community radio in forward areas?
The Army believes that community radio can serve as a strategic outreach tool in border regions, fostering social cohesion and local empowerment. “Ibex Tarana is not just a radio station—it is a powerful medium to amplify the voice of youth,” the COAS said in his inaugural podcast. The station will air programmes on education, weather updates, disaster preparedness, health, employment, and traditional arts, serving as both an information channel and a cultural bridge.
Officials said the station is expected to play a significant role in enhancing awareness and preparedness in a region prone to natural disasters and geographically isolated communities. It also supports the Army’s broader civil-military cooperation efforts.
What were the key observations during the Army chief’s visit to the Garhwal frontier?
During his visit to the forward areas of Uttarakhand, Gen Dwivedi reviewed operational and administrative readiness, interacted with soldiers, and assessed infrastructure improvements and surveillance capabilities along the frontier. He commended the deployed troops for their resilience and high morale in one of India’s most rugged operational zones.
Emphasising the importance of high-altitude readiness, the Army chief directed formations to maintain peak preparedness and adapt to evolving operational dynamics, particularly as regional threats in the Himalayas continue to evolve.
How is the Army recognising local contributions to national service?
In addition to his operational review and the radio station launch, Gen Dwivedi also presented the Veterans Achievement Award to a select group of retired service members from the region. The award recognised exceptional post-retirement contributions to nation-building and community development, underscoring the Army’s commitment to honouring its extended fraternity.
This gesture reflected the Army’s evolving approach to not just security, but also grassroots engagement and inclusive development in India’s border districts.
