COONOOR: At an impressive affiliation function held at Madras Regimental Centre (MRC), Wellington, on Saturday, uniformed personnel belonging to 16th Light Cavalry, 4 Field Regiment and MRC proudly recalled the supreme contributions their regiments had made over the years and re-dedicated themselves to the cause of defending the nation.
After a ceremonial guard of honour by joint contingent, Colonel of Madras Regiment, Maj Gen P G Kamath, YSM, SM, Colonel of 16th Light Cavalry Brigadier K A S Bhullar and MRC Commandant Brigadier V P Kashyap addressed the joint Sainik Sammelan.
Col Manish Tripathi, (Commandant, 16th Light Cavalry), Col S K Singh, (Commanding Officer, 4 Field Regiment) and Col R N Nambiar (former Commanding Officer 4 Field regiment) were present. Formal charters of affiliation were signed by Colonels of the Regiments, Commandants of MRC and 16th Light Cavalry and officers of 4 Field Regiment.
Madras Regiment bearing its origin to December 4, 1758, holds to its credit, 44 battle honours, 14 theatre honours, seven Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS) and 13 GOC-in-C unit appreciation. It has contributed significantly in various operations and United Nations missions.
The 16th Light Cavalry was raised prior to 1776 in the Service of Nawab of Arcot as the third regiment of native Cavalry. After a long history of wars in the South under Madras Army, the Regiment was converted to Jats, Rajputs and Khemkhani. The Regiment re-adopted the South Indian Class composition in 1946 with core manpower coming from MRC, Wellington & Madras Engineering Group, Bangalore. On Saturday, it was the senior most Regiment of Armoured Corps, standing ‘right most’ at joint ceremonial parade carrying two standards, a privilege unique in the whole of the Commonwealth. The Regiment has a distinguished history and produced two COAS and over 25 ‘General Officer’ after Independence.
The 4 Field Regiment was raised on May 14, 1956. Today’s affiliation was aimed at fostering greater harmony and understanding of each other’s traditions and combat potential, simultaneously encouraging active participation in sporting and adventure events besides providing greater synergy amongst all ranks.