ARTRAC celebrates 35th Raising Day

To mark the 35th Raising Day, the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), in association with the Amateur Dramatic Club, Shimla, staged an engrossing and humorous theatrical production named ‘Project Turmoil’ at the historic Gothic Hall of the Gaiety Theatre. The play was also performed at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, on September 12 and 13.

Directed by Anil Walia and Siya Minocha, ‘Project Turmoil’ is a light-hearted 1960s spy escapade packed with humour, confusion and larger-than-life characters.

The story of the play revolves around the disappearance of a rogue agent and a secret file, drawing CIA and KGB spies to London’s Ritz Carlton. What follows is a comic storm of disguises, mistaken identities and double agents. An unsuspecting couple, an aspiring James Bond and a mysterious hotel manager add to the chaos. The result is a hilarious 1960s tale where espionage meets total turmoil.

The play brought together distinguished Army officers of ARTRAC and accomplished civilian artists on one platform, seamlessly blending the values of discipline, creativity and artistry. This rare confluence highlighted the shared heritage, mutual respect and enduring bond between the armed forces and the citizens they serve.

The cast features Tarini Sud, Krishna Sharma, Devya Jubbal, Gagan Chaudhary, Lt Col Vikram Singh, Neha Desai Bakshi, Chandrajit Singh, Jyotika T Vashista, Col Ankush Gupta, and Maj General Ajay Feroz Shah. The backstage team include Ajit Butail, Girish Minocha and Manmohan Manchanda.

The event was graced by Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ARTRAC, along with senior officials, veterans, dignitaries and local populace. The audience witnessed a powerful performance that not only showcased the artistic spirit of Shimla but also reflected ARTRAC’s continuous commitment to strengthening ties with society beyond its military responsibilities.