Golden jubilee celebration of ARO Ludhiana held

Ludhiana: The Army Recruiting Office (ARO) at Ludhiana is known to be the oldest in the zone claiming its birth in late 1840.
In 1846 the erstwhile East India Company had authorised its agents in India to raise a ‘Sikh Regiment’ in Loodhiana ‘Territory’. This was with the aim of providing garrisoning and patrolling duties to the newly acquired territory of Beas – Satlej. This Regiment was called ‘Loodhiana Sikhs’. In one of the Annals of East India Company’s Military History there runs a passage which has a direct bearing on the origin of enrolment of Sikhs in British Indian Army and also the birth and establishment of Recruiting Office at Ludhiana. The East India Company established the first ever Recruiting Office in Punjab at Ludhiana. Hence the present Recruiting Office is indisputably the senior most Rtg Org among the Rtg Office of Punjab. It is claiming its birth as far back as 179 years. But as the time passed Ambala, Jalandhar. Lahore and Peshawar shot into prominence, obliterating the historical memories of Rtg Office at Ludhiana. However, this office was reactivated to shoulder the burden of vast recruitment of Sikhs in 1914. Sub Recruiting Office, Ludhiana was closed in 1952 temporarily. During the 1962 Indo-China border conflict, the establishment of Ludhiana was re-commissioned so as to meet the heavy demand of recruitment. Towering figure of 6000 recruits ws attained by a handful of newly posted and handicapped staff. The Officer Commanding at that time was no other person than the old veteran Sri Sant Prakash Singh, Indian Navy.
The office was established at the famous landmark of the town, the Clock Tower. Honorary Lt Amir Singh succeeded Sri Sant Parkash Singh, Indian Navy. In 1965-66 during Indo-Pakistan conflict, 3000 recruits were enlisted in short period of two months. The office was upgraded to Army Recruiting Office in August 1969. The present site that was an old Army Camping Ground enroute Ambala-Jalandhar- Lahor, was constructed as separate permanent accommodation where the office shifted in 1970. This ARO covers the districts of Ludhiana, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and Moga.
Col Vishal Dubey, Director Recruiting, ARO, Ludhiana, informed that the Golden Jubilee of Army Recruiting Office, Ludhiana was celebrated on 30 Aug 2019. A motivation hall was inaugurated by the daughter of Sub Joginder Singh, PVC (Posthumous) of 1 Sikh enrolled from MOGA District who had sacrificed his life for the nation in China war in 1962. The inauguration was witnessed by the Chief Guest, Brig Jagdeep Dahiya, Dy Dir Gen Rtg (Pb and J&K) who also unveiled the statues of Sub Joginder Singh, PVC (Posthumous) and Jemadar Nand Singh, MVC, Victoria Cross (Posthumous). Also the main Gate of the ARO, Ludhiana has now been named after Late Havildar Jora Singh, KC (Posthumous) to honour the sacrifice of martyr soldier and the same was witnessed by his wife Manjit Kaur. Army Officials and Relatives of Martyrs and NCC cadets attended the celebrations.
The veer bhumi of Punjab as a whole and the Districts of Ropar, Moga, Mohali and Ludhiana in particular has hence been paid homage by the office of ARO, Ludhiana on its Golden Jubilee year.