SOUTHERN STAR SAPPERS CELEBRATE 242nd CORPS DAY AT PUNE
Pune, 18th November 2022: The Southern Star Sappers celebrated their 242nd Corps Day on 18 November 2022 at Southern Command Headquarters in Pune.
Indian Sappers have a long history dating back to the mid-18th century. The Corps officially recognizes its birth as 1780 when the senior most Group of the Corps, the Madras Sappers, was raised, followed by the raising of Bengal and Bombay Sappers. These Groups were later merged on18 November 1932 to form the Corps of Engineers.
The history of the Corps is replete with acts of valour, courage and supreme sacrifice, and these ethos continue till date, with the Corps earning accolades for their professional excellence in multiple dimensions of combat support, infrastructure development, sustenance and aid to civil auth. Sappers have executed remarkable operational tasks and created modern infrastructure in the Southern Theatre by embracing latest technology and best practices. Additionally, Sappers have provided succor to civil population in recent times while rendering aid during COVID-19 Pandemic and flood relief operations in Maharashtra & Telangana.
On the occasion of the Corps of Engineers Day, Lieutenant General AK Singh, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command conveyed his compliments to the Sapper fraternity. He expressed confidence that the Corps of Engineers would rise to meet future challenges in all dimensions thus upholding their motto ‘SARVATRA’ in the truest sense.
A solemn Wreath Laying Ceremony at the War Memorial at Southern Command was organized to commemorate the Corps Day which was attended by Serving and Veteran Sappers to honour the supreme sacrifice made by their Comrades in Arms who laid down their lives in service of the Nation. Lieutenant General PP Malhotra, AVSM, VSM, Commandant CME, sr most veteran offr Lt Gen BT Pandit, PVSM, VrC and sr most serving Sub Maj Zadge Dhairyasheel Shubhanlaid the wreaths during the ceremony.