Book on Southern Command released

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A coffee table book, chronicling the times of Southern Command since its inception, was released by Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, here.

The book, "A Chronicle 1817-2007 the Southern Cross", released yesterday, traces the origins of the raising of Headquarters of Southern Command on April one, 1895, pursuant to the issuance of Army Department order No 981, dated October 26, 1894, and its informal history since then.

Uniquely, the Headquarters of this Army Command has never changed its location since inception at the erstwhile bungalows Number 10 and 11, Queen's Garden, over the past two centuries.

It encompasses delightful vignettes interspersed with a treasure trove of vintage and contemporary maps and photographs. It focuses on the nascent beginnings of Kirkee and Poona Cantonments and their ensuing interdependent harmonious development over the millennia with Pune.

The book also highlights the proud heritage of architectural, infrastructural and educational-cum-training and research institutions that remain the icons of this burgeoning metropolis, lending it a magnetic appeal to the populace of the country.

The Southern Command Headquarters and the city enjoy a unique symbiotic relationship. Each of them has and continues to contribute immeasurably to their joint development in the pursuit of excellence. The chronicle aptly records the milestones.

The concept for this book was envisioned by Lt Gen Aditya Singh, the previous Army Commander in mid-2007, and pursued with zeal and tireless endeavour towards its publication by Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, the present Army Commander, a defence release said here.