The war veterans and serving soldiers drawn from various parts of the country gathered at Saugor for two days on November 4 and 5 to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the Mahar Regiment to which they belonged.
Heels clicked and hands raised in smartest salutes as former army Commanders and a galaxy of other officers assembled to renew their association with Mahar Regiment which completed seventy five years of valiant existence. However, the absence of General KV Krishna Rao, former army Chief and Honorary Colonel of the Mahar Regiment, who left for heavenly abode this January leaving a void in the lives of the Mahar fraternity, was deeply felt.
A glorious era of The Mahar Regiment came to a remarkable and stupendous end and gave way to another and brighter chapter on 1st October as the Regiment turned Seventy Five.
Before the start of the celebrations, wreaths were laid at the war memorial by the chief guest, lieutenant General BC Nanda, PVSM, AVSM (Retired). There are 26 Roll of Honour pillars in the memorial on which the names of martyrs of various military operations have been inscribed. This was followed by inauguration of a Clock Tower by Colonel KS Bakshi, AVSM, fondly called Kit Bakshi, the longest serving Centre Commandant of the Mahar Regiment and of the Indian Army. The inaugurations continued with the New Gymnasium inaugurated by Colonel PS Ganapathi, a war hero of operation Pawan and recipient of Mahavir Chakra and New Education Block inaugurated by lieutenant General BC Nanda, PVSM, AVSM (Retired), dedicated to late General KV Krishna Rao.
The reunion celebrations saw veterans coming from all parts of the country to meet their brothers in arms and listen to the tales of glory and valour. During the reunion, some veterans had unique opportunity of meeting their old comarades after a long gap of 40-50 years.
They were in high spirits and embraced each other with joy. Capt Bruce McIntosh, a 93 year old British veteran of the Mahar regiment traversed seven seas to form part of a history of seventy five glorious years. The Regiment had also held various regional reunions at the catchment areas of the regiment during the Platinum Jubilee year which culminated into a mega event at the Regiment Centre. The veterans appreciated the concept of regional get-togethers.
