Pramesh S Jain
A
rmy Service Corps (ASC) celebrated its Eleventh Reunion and 262ndAnniversary from 06 to 09 Dec 2022 at ASC Centre & College, Bengaluru.
ASC Centre & College is a premier Institution responsible for imparting training not only to officers and men of the Corps but also of other Arms and services of the IA,other services as well as Friendly Foreign Countries.
ASC celebrates 08 December every year as its Corps Day to commemorate its history stretching over 262 years.
This day holds great importance for the soldiers wearing thered lanyard on their right shoulder,as on this very day in 1967,first colours were presented to the Corps by the then President ‘The Supreme Commander of Armed Forces – Dr Zakir Hussain’. The Corps was again awarded colours for the second timeon 08 December 1979.
The Glorious Past
Army Service Corps was the oldest and largest of the administrative components of the East India Company in the three Presidencies comprising of Bengal,Madras and Bombay.
After its modest inception in 1760 as Commissariat Department of East India Company, the three Presidencies of Bengal,Madras and Bombay were amalgamated in 1878 and were designated as the Supply and Transport Corps in 1901, however,was renamed as Indian Army Service Corps in 1923.
The prefix ‘Royal’ was used from 1935.In 1950 the Corps was allowed to use the National Emblem ‘Ashoka’ in its badge and thus came to be known as the Army Service Corps with its motto as ‘Seva Asmakam Dharma’.
History of ASC Centre & College
As is well known,ASC Centre (South) is the premium Army institution that was established at Bangalore (now Bengaluru) in 1947,primarily for training of ASC mechanical transport drivers.
This was followed by move of erstwhile Army School of Mechanical Transport from Faizabad to Bangalore in 1976.
The training of ASC Officers continued at Bareilly till 1999, when ASC School moved from Bareilly to Bangalore and ASC Centre & College came into existence as a merged identity.
The move of ASC Centre (North), which primarily trains personnel on Animal Transport duties,from Gaya to Bangalore in the year 2011 has now consolidated the complete training infrastructure of ASC to Bengaluru.
In keeping with the spirit of the occasion,ASC celebrated the Corps Day with gala festivities and enthusiasm with all the COVID-19 protocols strictly followed.
Logistic Support
The Army Service Corps mainly comprises of three main branches,viz Supply,Petroleum and Transport.
The basic function of ASC encompasses provisioning and supply of rations and all grades of petroleum products to Army,Air Force, Navy and certain Para Military Forces both
during peace as well as war.The range of responsibility of the ASC includes
procurement,inspection,quality control,storage and distribution of food articles and petroleum products.
In keeping with their motto ‘Seva Asmakam Dharma’,Army Service Corps has always believed in making sure that whatever be the odds,the Goods are delivered and has never let the troops down.
This has been a part of their great heritage for more than two and a half centuries.In addition,the Corps also imparts highest standards of training to the Clerks and Chefs of the entire
Indian Army.
Honour and Awards
The Corps played a vital and dominant role during the two World Wars, Hyderabad and Goa Operations, Indo-Pak Conflicts of 1948,1965 and 1971 and Chinese aggression of 1962.
The Corps also contributed to peace keeping operations in Gaza,Korea,Indo- China,Vietnam,Sri Lanka,Somalia,Mozambique,Angola and Sierra Leone.
The Corps excelled itself in OP VIJAY in 1999, during operations in Kargil and Dras Sector.The Corps has had a past full of courage and valour and for its dedicated service and sacrifices the Corps has,till date,been awarded 01 Maha Vir Chakra, 14 Vir Chakras, 22 Shaurya Chakras, 04 Kirti Chakras, 16 Param Vishisht seva Medals,36 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals,73 Vishisht Seva Medals,139,Sena Medals, 04 Arjuna Awards, 01 Jeevan Raksha Padak and 144 Mention-in- Despatches.
Padmashree Hazare KB (Retd) Hav/MT of the Corps was bestowed with the prestigious ‘Padma Shree’ by the President in 1990 and ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 1994 in recognition of his outstanding contribution for rural upliftment and eradication of social evils.
Corps Day and ASC Reunion
The 262nd Corps day and 11th ASC Reunion was celebrated from 06 to 09 Dec 2022 which commenced with the Guard of Honour to Colonel Commandants, followed by Wreath Laying
Ceremony to pay homage to the gallant warriors who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty to ensure peace and freedom for our country.
A Ceremonial Parade set the tune for celebrations to follow.This was followed by honouring of Veer Naries and Motorcycle display by the Daredevils of Tornadoes who have time and again enthralled one and all and recently have added few additional feathers in their cap by setting nine new Guinness World Records.
The celebration had a grand finale with the Equestrian Show,Trick Riding,Micro light Display and Para Motor Display.
