More than 10,000 people attended meetings in the India Northern Territory led by the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Robin Dunster. The territory's Salvationists showed great excitement at seeing the international leader. Wherever she and her support officer, Lieut-Colonel Edna Williams, went they were presented with garlands, flowers, shawls and gifts – signs of the honour in which they are held.

The India Rail authorities' send off of the visitors from New Delhi Railway Station was witnessed by a vast crowd of onlookers and the arrival at Bareilly Station drew much attention. Smartly uniformed, banner-carrying officers, cadets and Salvationists made The Salvation Army highly visible.

At Bareilly and three days later at Batala grand marches of witness were held, accompanied by traditional Punjabi bagpipe and drum bands. Local people witnessed the unusual sight of thousands of Salvationists marching through the streets, shouting 'Hallelujah!' and praising the Lord.

At the training college in Bareilly the visitors were welcomed with great love and enthusiasm by cadets and staff. The Chief, quoting Mother Teresa of Calcutta, in a Bible message said: 'There is more hunger in the world for love than for bread.'

A public meeting at midday, which took place in a large pandal [tent], began with the Chief releasing some helium balloons and a white dove.

The first song set the tone for the gathering – it was a Hindi song, 'Aashish Tuzase Chahate Hai', which means 'O Heavenly Father, We Expect Blessings from You'. A time of prayer followed before Territorial Commander Commissioner K. V. Lahase introduced and welcomed the special visitors. Students from the English medium school of Muradabad then performed a welcome dance.

After responding to the welcome the Chief of the Staff dedicated to God Prarthana, daughter of Majors Joseph and Kaberi Khan. She told the congregation: 'This is a precious ceremony. God has given a special gift which we give back to him.'

A vocal trio was followed by group songs by girls from the Salvation Army hostel in Bareilly and cadets from the training college. In her Bible message the Chief enouraged people to stand firm in their faith in every situation and all circumstances. She challenged her listeners to rededicate their lives to God. More than 200 people move quietly forward, out of the brightly hued congregation, to kneel at the mercy seat.

Following a return train journey, Commissioner Dunster and Lieut-Colonel Williams, accompanied by territorial leaders Commissioners K. V. and Kusum Lahase, travelled by air to Amritsar, location of the famous Sikh Golden Temple.

More than 3,000 people attended a youth rally the following day. Smartly uniformed, well-disciplined students from Salvation Army schools and colleges were joined by other young Salvationists who had travelled vast distances to be present. The rally took place at the Batala School compound and was led by Chief Secretary Lieut-Colonel Paul Christian.

Lieut-Colonel Edna Williams told a story which emphasised the importance of making the right choices in life. In her Bible message the Chief of Staff developed this theme. When she invited her listeners to the mercy seat to make a right choice about their future, young people flocked forward to give their lives to God.

The public meeting the following day, again held in a large pandal, saw the international visitors greeted by thousands of people raising their hands in welcome. In this meeting Sakshi, daughter of Captains Ashok and Salomi Masih and Angel, daughter of Lieutenants Naresh and Sonika Hans, were dedicated to God.

In her Bible message the Chief spoke about following Jesus. She told the people gathered: '"I will follow Jesus" is a big promise.'

After the meeting the Chief of the Staff visited the Salvation Army girls' hostel in Gurdaspur where she, Lieut-Colonel Williams and the territorial leaders were entertained with traditional dances performed by colourfully dressed young women students.

At MacRobert Hospital a large crowd had gathered, after dark, to welcome the international visitors. Student nurses, bearing lit candles, lined the avenue and a beautifully decorated, pony-drawn chariot transported the Chief, Lieut-Colonel Williams and the territorial leaders into the canopied auditorium where the ground had been decorated with rangoli, a colourful powder, and firecrackers lit the night sky.

A cultural presentation included exuberant performances of local dances.

The Agriculture Minister, the Honourable Mr Suchasingh Langa, was present for this programme. He told the congregation that he would stand by The Salvation Army as it serves the people of India.

When the Chief and her party visited Batala School and College the next day, the 1,500 students plus staff formed an appreciative audience as various age groups performed local dances and junior students presented costume parades that included diminutive representations of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh (present Prime Minister of India).

Before the visitors left Amritsar a visit was made to the Golden Temple, a place of 'stupendous beauty and sublime peacefulness'. Subedar Dalbir Singh (Assistant Information Officer) graciously received the delegation and personally conducted the visitors through the temple and its precincts.

The final day in northern India included a tour of territorial headquarters and a meeting with THQ officers and employees where the Chief urged her listeners to sacrifice themselves for the Lord. When she gave an invitation to the mercy seat many officers rededicated themselves to God.

The officers councils conducted in the three primary locations of the visit brought together almost five hundred active and retired officers and cadets from this vast territory that stretches from Kolkata, Orissa State and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the east to the Pakistan border and Kashmir in the north west.