Bhuj, February 8: Lieutenant General Dheeraj Seth, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army‘s Southern Command, conducted a comprehensive multi-dimensional visit to Gujarat this week. The primary objective of this visit was to review operational preparedness in critical border sectors and to strengthen the army’s engagement with border communities and military families.
During his visit, Lieutenant General Seth extensively assessed operational readiness in the Creek and Kutch sectors, which hold significant strategic responsibilities for the Indian Army. He also inspected the Gujarat Defence Exercise, designed to evaluate the rapid response system, multi-agency coordination, and adaptability in challenging terrains. This exercise reaffirmed the Southern Command’s capability to protect national interests across various operational domains.
At the Bhuj Military Station, the Army Commander inaugurated a large surgical eye camp outreach program 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 at this camp, resulting in the restoration of vision for over 200 beneficiaries through advanced diagnostic procedures and surgeries. This initiative highlights the army’s commitment to providing healthcare services in underprivileged and remote areas.
Experts from other military medical units also contributed to reaching out to distant communities. In Ahmedabad, Lieutenant General Seth, along with Komal Seth, the Regional President of the Southern Command Army Women Welfare Association, interacted with Veer Naris and Veer Matas, appreciating their courage and sacrifices while facilitating support measures for the families of martyrs.
Additionally, the Southern Command Investiture Ceremony held on February 6 and 7 in Ahmedabad honored acts of bravery and distinguished service across the army. During the ceremony, 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 event included a formal Guard of Honour and showcased weapons and equipment in line 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, featuring khadi-based fashion presentations by NIFT students, classical Bharatanatyam performances, and martial displays by soldiers, including traditional Kalari Payattu and army martial arts routines.