Chief of army staff Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag presented the President’s Colours to 20 and 21 Mahar battalions during the Mahar Regiment’s 75th anniversary programme in Sagar on Friday.
The Mahar Regiment was raised on October 1, 1941 and it is the only all India all class infantry regiment of the army.
Gen Suhag was given salute by a contingent at Anusuya Parade Ground. He then reviewed the parade with parade commander Brig EV Reddy who is also the centre commandant. He met ex-servicemen and officers of the regiment.
Gen. Suhag paid homage to Mahar martyrs and congratulated the regiment for its brilliant performance, high morale and bravery and wished it a bright future. He said the Mahar regiment has a glorious past and its personnel have won several honours and awards. During war the regiment has shown exceptional gallantry and courage.
Gen. Suhag released a book based on the life of former colonel of the Mahar Regiment and former army chief late Gen KV Krishna Rao and a picture book on the life of Maj Ramaswami Parmeshwaran, Param Veer Chakra winner of the Mahar Regiment.
The Chief visited the regiment museum and awarded medals to regiment officials and other ranks and jawans. The Mahar Regiment organised re-union programme in which many ex-servicemen participated from the country and abroad. Lt. Bruce MaCentosh, 93, came all the way from England to participate in his regiment’s re-union programme. At time of regiment formation in 1941 he joined 3 Mahar and served till Independence in 1947. He said that after independence he went to England and got commission in Royal Army but after two years he left army and joined the banking sector. He fondly remembered his army days as it was the fifth time he had visited India to attend regiment programme.
{{/usCountry}}The Chief visited the regiment museum and awarded medals to regiment officials and other ranks and jawans. The Mahar Regiment organised re-union programme in which many ex-servicemen participated from the country and abroad. Lt. Bruce MaCentosh, 93, came all the way from England to participate in his regiment’s re-union programme. At time of regiment formation in 1941 he joined 3 Mahar and served till Independence in 1947. He said that after independence he went to England and got commission in Royal Army but after two years he left army and joined the banking sector. He fondly remembered his army days as it was the fifth time he had visited India to attend regiment programme.
{{/usCountry}}Army Wife Welfare Association (AWWA) president Namita Suhag was also present. She met Veer Naaris and visited regiment museum with the chief.