Gajraj Corps hosts 'Sonitpur SAMVAD' seminar to strengthen civil-military ties in Assam
Synopsis
The Gajraj Corps took civil-military cooperation beyond rhetoric in Tezpur, signing a concrete MoU on mental healthcare with a regional institute — a tangible institutional outcome from the 'Sonitpur SAMVAD' seminar that brought together police, academia, healthcare, and civic bodies under the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
Key Takeaways
Gajraj Corps organised the 'Sonitpur SAMVAD' Military-Civil Fusion Seminar in Tezpur, Assam on 28 May 2025 .
The seminar united officials from Tezpur University , Sashastra Seema Bal , Assam Police , the Bar Council , and healthcare and municipal bodies.
An MoU was signed between the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health and Army hospitals under Gajraj Corps for clinical, training, and research collaboration.
The GOC outlined the 'JAI' framework — Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, Innovation — as the Corps' guiding vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 .
Gajraj Corps , raised in 1942 and re-raised in 1962 , played a decisive role in the 1971 liberation of Bangladesh , including the Meghna Heli Bridge operations.
The Indian Army's Gajraj Corps on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 organised a Military-Civil Fusion Seminar titled 'Sonitpur SAMVAD' in Tezpur, Assam, bringing together senior officials from state administration, security agencies, academia, healthcare, and civic bodies to advance civil-military cooperation and collaborative nation-building.
What SAMVAD Stands For
The seminar was held under the overarching vision of 'Samoohik Prayas Se Rashtranirman' and guided by the principle of 'Rashtra Sarvopari'. The acronym SAMVAD encapsulates the initiative's five core pillars: Samanvay, Aatmanirbharta, Mansik Dridhta, Vishwas aur Vikas — collectively reflecting the national aspiration of achieving developmental goals during Amrit Kaal.
Key Participants and Institutional Representation
The gathering drew representatives from Tezpur University, the Sashastra Seema Bal, Assam Police, the forest department, municipal bodies, the Bar Council, private healthcare institutions, and skill development centres. Administrative officers from Tezpur and Missamari also participated, underscoring the breadth of institutional engagement sought by the Corps.
What the Commanding Officer Said
Addressing the seminar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Gajraj Corps outlined 'JAI' — Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, and Innovation — as the guiding framework for building a resilient, future-ready India in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The GOC stressed coordinated action, convergence of institutional capabilities, and time-bound execution of measurable goals to strengthen regional resilience and contribute to national development.
MoU on Mental Healthcare Signed
A notable outcome of the seminar was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health and Army hospitals under Gajraj Corps. The partnership is designed to enhance holistic mental healthcare through clinical support, professional training, research collaborations, and community outreach programmes — marking a concrete institutional step beyond the seminar's deliberations.
Gajraj Corps: A Legacy Since 1942
The Gajraj Corps, headquartered in Tezpur, was originally raised in 1942 for the defence of Assam during World War II, before being demobilised in 1945. It was re-raised in October 1962 ahead of the Sino-Indian War. The Corps earned lasting recognition during the 1971 India-Pakistan War for its decisive role in the liberation of Bangladesh, including the landmark advance towards Dhaka and the historic Meghna Heli Bridge operations. Under Lieutenant General Sagat Singh, the Corps executed a pioneering helicopter-led assault across the Meghna River using Mi-4 helicopters, outmanoeuvring Pakistani forces in one of the conflict's most demanding operational sectors. That legacy of adaptive, multi-agency coordination now finds a peacetime echo in initiatives like SAMVAD.
The seminar signals an intent to institutionalise civil-military collaboration in Northeast India, with the MoU on mental health representing a model that officials say could be replicated across other districts in the region.
Point of View
Suggesting this is not a Corps-level improvisation but a deliberate alignment with national defence policy. The real test will be whether the MoU translates into measurable improvements in mental health access for communities around Tezpur, or remains a headline on a press release.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Sonitpur SAMVAD' seminar organised by Gajraj Corps?
'Sonitpur SAMVAD' is a Military-Civil Fusion Seminar organised by the Indian Army's Gajraj Corps in Tezpur, Assam, on 28 May 2025. It brought together officials from state administration, security agencies, academia, healthcare, and civic bodies to advance civil-military cooperation under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
What does the SAMVAD acronym stand for?
SAMVAD stands for Samanvay, Aatmanirbharta, Mansik Dridhta, Vishwas aur Vikas. These five pillars reflect the initiative's focus on coordination, self-reliance, mental resilience, trust, and development during Amrit Kaal.
What MoU was signed at the Sonitpur SAMVAD seminar?
An MoU was signed between the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health and Army hospitals under Gajraj Corps. The agreement covers clinical support, professional training, research collaborations, and community outreach to improve mental healthcare in the region.
Who attended the Sonitpur SAMVAD seminar in Tezpur?
Attendees included representatives from Tezpur University, the Sashastra Seema Bal, Assam Police, the forest department, municipal bodies, the Bar Council, private healthcare institutions, skill development centres, and administrative officers from Tezpur and Missamari.
What is the historical significance of the Gajraj Corps?
Gajraj Corps was raised in 1942 for the defence of Assam during World War II and re-raised in October 1962 before the Sino-Indian War. It is best known for its role in the 1971 liberation of Bangladesh, particularly the Meghna Heli Bridge operations led by Lieutenant General Sagat Singh using Mi-4 helicopters.
