Service medals for CME commandant,his deputy

CME spokesperson Lt Col Amod Chandna,said,“The awards were given to the officers for their distinguished service,which has been recognised as that of exceptional order.’’

“It is a rare occasion that both the seniormost officers of a premier training institution of the Army like the CME have been bestowed with the honour simultaneously,’’ he added.

During their stint as the commandant and deputy commandant of the CME,both these officers played a key role in building the infrastructure of the CME and carrying out administrative reforms and also giving due importance to the adventure activities on the campus,said a press note issued by the college.

While Lt Gen U S P Sinha assumed office of the CME in December 2007,Major Gen Rajiv Datt took over as the deputy commandant and dean of the CME in March last year. Lt Gen Sinha was commissioned into the Madras Sappers in March 1972 and was posted as Additional Director-General Personnel at the army headquarter before assuming the present appointment as the CME Commandent in December 2007. In addition,the General Officer is also the Colonel Commandant,Military Engineering Service(MES) in the Corps of Engineers. He has held various instructional and staff appointments and is a keen sportsman and fitness savy person. He was earlier awarded the GOC-in-C’s commendation card for his distinguished service.,the note said.

Maj Gen Datt was commissioned into the Bombay Sappers in June 1974 and was posted as Additional Director-General at the Army headquarters before assuming his present position. He was awarded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) commendation card twice,in 1996 and 1998. He was also given the GOC-in-C Western command commendation card in 2000,said the note.