SHILLONG: Chief of the Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Wednesday presented the colours to four young battalions of the Assam Regiment – 16 and 17 Assam, 1 and 2 Arunachal Scouts – in the colour presentation parade led by Brigadier Sudhir Kumar Jha, Commandant, Assam Regimental Centre in presence of Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi GOC-in-C Eastern Command, Lt Gen Subrata Saha, Colonel of the Assam Regiment and Arunachal Scouts and other serving and veteran dignitaries.
The Army chief also dedicated the expanded and renovated War Memorial to the Regiment. The war memorial was originally inagurated on November 24, 1953, by the then chief minister of Assam Bishnuram Medhi. Etched on the hallowed walls are the names of 376 martyrs.
The expansion and renovation of the War Memorial was initiated in mid-2015 and took almost a year to complete.
The Assam Regiment that represents the “Warrior Prowess of the North East” is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee. The Regiment was primarily raised to quell the enemy aggression and defend a crucial part of the eastern borders of India.
Speaking on the occassion, General Dalbir Singh said the history of the Regiment is full of valour and sacrifice and it has brought laurels to the country both in war and sports.
He further said that the young battalions of the Assam Regiment have done a commendable job in their short existence so far. “We have all taken a pledge to serve the country and we will serve it no matter what,” he asserted.
It may be mentioned that the First Battalion of the ARC proved its mettle by winning six battle honours and theatre honour of Burma during World War II. Soon after independence, the Third Battalion demonstrated its prowess by winning a Theatre Honour of J&K 1947-48 in Keri Sector. The Fifth Battalion put up a valiant fight in the battlefield of CHHAMB in 1971 winning the Battle Honour CHHAMB and Theatre Honour J&K 1971. The Fifth Battalion is the only Infantry battalion to have been awarded this battle honour for unparalleled valour and sacrifice in this sector.
