President Ram Nath Kovind greets Territorial Army officials on force's 68th Raising Day

New Delhi: Top officials of the Territorial Army (TA) met President Ram Nath Kovind on the occassion of its 68th Raising Day, said a statement on Monday. As per tradition, the TA fraternity led by Additional Director General Territorial Army (TA) Major General DA Chaturvedi, called on Kovind and payed their respect to the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.[caption id="attachment_4126135" align="alignleft" width="380"]

A Territorial Army officer accompanied by his wife meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on Monday. PTI[/caption]Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur, who is a lieutenant in the TA, on Monday congratulated the force on its raising day and urged people to join it for serving the country."On this day in 1949 in the presence of Governor-General of India C Rajagopalachari that the Territorial Army came into being," he said in a tweet. "I salute the service, discipline & valour of the Territorial Army on its 68th Raising Day...," he tweeted, adding, "I would strongly encourage my fellow citizens to enroll in the service of mother India."In the run-up to the Raising Day several events were organised across the country, the statement said. In Delhi, the TA organised a half marathon on 2 October, to promote healthy life style. The event was flagged off from Army Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt by Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen. AK Bhatt, and Lt Col (honorary) and legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, it said.TA symphony band performed at the India Gate on 8 October, which attracted large crowds.After Independence in 1947, the Territorial Army Act was enacted on 18 August, 1948 by the Constituent Assembly resulting in the constitution of the present Territorial Army, the statement said.The TA is citizen's army of volunteers, who have the zeal to contribute towards the country's defence. The force provides an ideal opportunity to the youth of the country to receive military training in their spare time and serve the nation in times of national emergency and internal disturbances, it said.The force is in the process of expanding its footprint with raising of one Infantry Battalion (TA) at Nicobar and an Ecological Task Force Battalion for drought region of Marathwada in Maharashtra, the statement said.Also, case for raising of one Composite Ecological Task Force for National Mission for Clean Ganga is in final stages of approval. "These new raisings and especially the unit for Namami Gange Mission will allow the TA to contribute immensely in a national cause. In near future the unique strength of TA could be an ideal platform to build national effort during disaster management," the statement added.The TA has achieved many glorious feats and earned laurels during the past wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971. It has displayed its grit and courage in operations Pawan, Vijay and Parakram. For outstanding performance in various operations, the TA personnel have been conferred with numerous awards.