September 05, 2001

'33'

GENERAL S PADMANABHAN - HONORARY COLONEL OF THE BRIGADE OF THE GUARDS

    General S Padmanabhan, Chief of the Army Staff, formally took over as the Honorary Colonel of The Brigade of The Guards at a simple ceremony held at South Block today. General S Padmanabhan was presented accoutrements of Brigade of The Guards by Lt Gen H R S Mann, Chief of Staff Headquarters Western Command and the Colonel of Brigade of The Guards.

    Brigade of The Guards is an elite Regiment of the Indian Army. It is the first "All India" mixed "All Class" Composition Infantry Regiment of the Army where troops from all parts of India serve together in various battalions of the Regiment.

    Raising of Brigade of The Guards as an All Class composition regiment by Late Field Marshal K M Cariappa, OBE was a bold experiment in national integration which succeeded beyond expectations. Brigade of The Guards has bagged two Param Vir Chakras, six Maha Vir Chakras and forty one Vir Chakras, amongst many other gallantry and distinguished service awards. Today Brigade of The Guards is a highly professional regiment consisting of variety of battalions such as Mechanised Guards Battalions, Reconnaissance and Support Battalions, Anti Tank Guided Missile Battalions and regular Infantry Battalions.