With officers and other ranks from India and Nepal in attendance, the First Gorkha Rifles (1/1 GR) on Friday marked its 200 years of military service.
Hundreds of serving and veteran officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and other ranks both from India and Nepal attended the function, an army spokesman said.
The battalion was raised on April 24, 1815 from the remnants of Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa's forces who valiantly fought the British at the Malaun Fort near Shimla.
"The raising of the battalion signalled the birth of present day Gorkha Brigade. Over the last two centuries of the battalion's existence, it has time and again proven its worth by gallant action in various fields of battle across the world, through the two World Wars, the India-Pakistan wars and in the conflicts of the sub-conventional realm," the spokesman said.
Starting with a solemn memorial service in honour of the martyrs, the unit's bicentenary celebrations saw various events, including a guard of honour and cultural programme.
Lt. Gen Ravi Thodge, colonel of the regiment, was present on the occasion.
"The event was a re-union for erstwhile comrades-in-arms who travelled from across the globe to be together at this momentous once-in-a lifetime occasion. Veterans proudly brought their children and grandchildren to show them the oldest Gorkha Battalion," the spokesman added.
The illustrious battalion has been famous for two centuries for warfare skills and bravery.
Similarly, The First Battalion of the Third Gorkha Rifles celebrated its bicentenary in style on Friday at the Sevoke Road Military Station near Siliguri in North Bengal.
The day's programme started with unveiling of a 'War Memorial' in the presence of veterans of the 1/3 Gorkha Rifles. As many as 38 retired officers of the battalion got together to design a trophy and present it on the occasion of the bicentenary to the unit. This too place on Thursday evening.
After Friday's unveiling of the War Memorial, the figurine of a Gorkha soldier in Shok Shastra pose (rifle pointing downward), the CO said: "This is a moveable memorial that the unit will carry with it to all locations. Wreaths will be laid at this memorial on April 24 every year." The 1/3 Gorkha Rifles is moving out of Sevoke Road later this year and will be deployed along the LOC.
After unveiling of the War Memorial, a Sainik Sammelan as held in which JCOs and soldiers of the battalion were honoured. A first day cover to mark the occasion was also released. Major General Avinash Singh, Colonel of the Gorkha Regiment, said that the foundations of all the battalions are extremely strong. The Gorkhas, indomitable warriors, have created a mark for themselves in the annals of the Indian Army.
"While the First of the Third have been winning trophies of overall excellence every year, the Second of the Third has also created a record. They are the only battalion to have served in Siachen without a single casualty or evacuation. In the third week of October, the Gorkha Regiment will be holding another gathering in Varanasi to mark the bicentenary," Singh said.
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| First Gorkha Rifles marks 200 years of service |
The battalion was raised on April 24, 1815 from the remnants of Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa's forces who valiantly fought the British at the Malaun Fort near Shimla.
"The raising of the battalion signalled the birth of present day Gorkha Brigade. Over the last two centuries of the battalion's existence, it has time and again proven its worth by gallant action in various fields of battle across the world, through the two World Wars, the India-Pakistan wars and in the conflicts of the sub-conventional realm," the spokesman said.
Starting with a solemn memorial service in honour of the martyrs, the unit's bicentenary celebrations saw various events, including a guard of honour and cultural programme.
Lt. Gen Ravi Thodge, colonel of the regiment, was present on the occasion.
"The event was a re-union for erstwhile comrades-in-arms who travelled from across the globe to be together at this momentous once-in-a lifetime occasion. Veterans proudly brought their children and grandchildren to show them the oldest Gorkha Battalion," the spokesman added.
The illustrious battalion has been famous for two centuries for warfare skills and bravery.
Similarly, The First Battalion of the Third Gorkha Rifles celebrated its bicentenary in style on Friday at the Sevoke Road Military Station near Siliguri in North Bengal.
 |
| 3rd Gorkha Regiment celebrates bicentenary at Sevoke |
After Friday's unveiling of the War Memorial, the figurine of a Gorkha soldier in Shok Shastra pose (rifle pointing downward), the CO said: "This is a moveable memorial that the unit will carry with it to all locations. Wreaths will be laid at this memorial on April 24 every year." The 1/3 Gorkha Rifles is moving out of Sevoke Road later this year and will be deployed along the LOC.
After unveiling of the War Memorial, a Sainik Sammelan as held in which JCOs and soldiers of the battalion were honoured. A first day cover to mark the occasion was also released. Major General Avinash Singh, Colonel of the Gorkha Regiment, said that the foundations of all the battalions are extremely strong. The Gorkhas, indomitable warriors, have created a mark for themselves in the annals of the Indian Army.
"While the First of the Third have been winning trophies of overall excellence every year, the Second of the Third has also created a record. They are the only battalion to have served in Siachen without a single casualty or evacuation. In the third week of October, the Gorkha Regiment will be holding another gathering in Varanasi to mark the bicentenary," Singh said.
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