8th Battalion the MAHAR Regiment celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and 62nd Raising Day on 01 Mar 2024. It was a time to honour the rich legacy and sacrifices of the battalion’s personnel who have served with unwavering dedication and bravery.
The Colonel of The MAHAR Regiment and Adjutant General, Lieutenant General C Bansi Ponnappa, PVSM, AVSM, VSM was the Chief Guest for the event. The celebrations witnessed attendance o fmany Ex COs to include Major General P D Hallur, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Lieutenant Colonel AKS Dudani (Retd), Lieutenant Colonel M S Krishnan (Retd), Brigadier Satinder Singh (Retd), Colonel S Vijay Kumar, SM (Retd), Colonel Gautam Nishant & War Veterans; Lieutenant Colonel P S Ganapati, MVC (Retd), Maor Tamboli Jagdish Chandulal (Retd), Colonel A S Bombrah (Retd), Lieutenant Colonel Vijay Singh (Retd), Lieutenant Colonel Kailash Singh Jamwal (Retd), Colonel Anil Kumar Vaid (Retd) and other number of senior serving officers, War Heroes, Veterans and ESMs.
8th Battalion of the MAHAR Regiment was raised as a Machine Gun Battalion in Saugor (Madhya Pradesh) on 01 March 1962 by Lieutenant Colonel KJ Joseph. The Battalion was converted into Standard Infantry Battalion in 1963. Since raising, the unit has actively participated in several operations like Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and 1971, Operation PAWAN-1987, Operation FALCON – 1998, Operation PARAKRAM-2000, Operation RAKSHAK – 2004, Operation RAKSHAK-2008 and Operation NORTHERN BORDERS – 2014. The Battalion has been awarded one Param Vir Chakra, one Maha Vir Chakra, one Param Vishisht Seva Medal, one Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, two Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, three Vir Chakras,
one Shaurya Chakra, one Yudh Seva Medal, two Vishisht Seva Medals and fourteen Sena Medals for acts of gallantry and distinguished service by the personnel of the unit.
The Battalion has also been awarded with General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command Unit Citation during the year 2017 for operation responsibility as the Doka La Battalion on the Watershed in High Altitude Area in East Sikkim.
The Chief Guest laid wreath at the War Memorial on behalf of all Veterans and serving personnel in the morning on 01 Mar 2024, to honour those who have made the supreme sacrifice to the nation, it was followed by Special Sainik Sammelan attended by all Veterans and Serving Personnel. He lauded the achievements and the ardours efforts of the Battalion in building such a rich history and tradition. He felicitated four outstanding personnel who have dedicated themselves to the cause of the Battalion. The Chief Guest also unveiled the commemorative special cover on 01 Mar 2024. This cover, adorned with the emblem of the battalion was intricately designed to reflect its rich history, served as a tangible symbol of the occasion’s significance.
Central to the celebration was the heartfelt felicitation of the Veer Naris, the brave widows of soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their resilience and strength serve as an inspiration to all embodying the spirit of sacrifice and service. In addition to honouring the Veer Naris, the celebration also paid tribute to the veterans, whose years of service and dedication have contributed to the Battalion’s proud history. Their experience and wisdom are invaluable assets and their presence at the event serves as a symbol of the Battalion’s enduring bonds.
