Bhuj, February 9: Lieutenant General Dheeraj Seth, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army‘s Southern Command, conducted a comprehensive visit to Gujarat this week. The primary aim of this visit was to assess operational readiness in key border sectors and to strengthen the Army’s engagement with local communities and military families.
During his tour, Lieutenant General Seth thoroughly reviewed operational preparations in the Creek and Kutch sectors, where the Indian Army holds significant strategic responsibilities. He inspected the Gujarat Defence Exercise, designed to test rapid response systems, multi-agency coordination, and adaptability in challenging terrains. This exercise confirmed the Southern Command’s capability to protect national interests across various operational areas.
At the Bhuj Military Station, the Army Commander inaugurated a large surgical eye camp outreach program, organized in collaboration with specialist ophthalmic teams from the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) in New Delhi. Over 2,500 patients from more than 120 remote villages were screened, resulting in over 200 beneficiaries regaining their eyesight through advanced diagnostic procedures and surgeries. This initiative underscores the Army’s commitment to providing healthcare services in underserved and remote areas.
Experts from other military medical units also contributed to reaching out to distant communities.
In Ahmedabad, Lieutenant General Seth and Komal Seth, the Regional President of the Southern Command Army Women Welfare Association, engaged with Veer Naris and Veer Matas, honoring their courage and sacrifices while facilitating support measures for the families of martyrs.
Additionally, during the Southern Command Investiture Ceremony held on February 6 and 7 in Ahmedabad, acts of valor and distinguished service across the Army were recognized. Lieutenant General Seth presented awards to 34 personnel and conferred the “GOC-in-C, Southern Command Unit Citation” to 33 units for operational excellence and professional achievement.
The ceremony featured a formal guard of honor and showcased weapons and equipment aligned with the Indian Army‘s ongoing modernization efforts under the ‘Decade of Transformation’ initiatives.
The visit concluded with a ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ cultural evening, attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. This cultural night brought together martial and artistic expressions, including khadi-based fashion presentations by NIFT students, classical Bharatanatyam performances, and martial displays by soldiers featuring Jhankaar Pathak, Kalaripayattu, and Army martial arts routines.