All battalions of the regiment at one point or the other have participated in various operations in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir with the “Thambis” (brother in Tamil) proving their mettle every time and busting the British misconception of India’s “martial races”. The number of unit appreciations is testimony to the impeccable record of the regiment. In recognition to the services rendered so far, the battalions of the regiment have received nine Chief of Army Staff Unit Citations, 23 General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Unit Appreciations, one UN Force Commanders Unit Citation and The Regimental Centre has also been conferred with GOC-in-C Southern Command Unit Appreciation. The regiment has also been awarded one Ashoka Chakra, 18 Param Vishisht Seva Medals five Maha Vir Chakras one Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 11 Kirti Chakras, one Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 38 Vir Chakras, 43 Shaurya Chakras, three Yudh Seva Medals, five Bar to Sena Medals, 238 Sena Medals, one Nau Sena Medal, one Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal, 55 Vishisht Seva Medals, 131 Mention-in-Despatches, 563 Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards, 543 GOC-in-C Commendation Cards and five Jeevan Raksha Padaks. The regiment today stands proudly with 45 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours.
Some brave hearts of the Regiment in recent years deserve mention. Maj John Soundra Pandian, was awarded Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous), 19 MADRAS , for outstanding bravery during a counterterrorist operation on 10 May 1996, in Doda district, of Jammu and Kashmir. His father, late Capt MJD Rajan was Quartermaster, 19 MADRAS during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Naik P V Manesh, 27 MADRAS, deputed to the National Security Guard (NSG), had the Shaurya Chakra pinned on his chest by President of India, Mrs Pratibha Patil on 26 January 2009, for outstanding valour during the 26/11 attack in Mumbai by Pakistani terrorists. Manesh, was part of the NSG commando team inducted by helicopter into the Oberoi Hotel, where he killed one terrorist, even as a grenade was lobbed at him, splinters of which pierced his body, paralyzing his right side.
The Regiment has participated in all sports and adventure activities and excelled in many. The Football team of the Madras Regiment has the unique distinction of being the first Indian Army Team to win the prestigious Durand Cup twice in 1955 and 1958. Also, two personnel from the Regiment represented India in Olympics in 1960 and 2012. The regiment won two bronze medals at the World Military Games at Hyderabad in 2007 and numerous medals in national and international events. One name that stands out in shooting is that of Subedar Major A.P.Subbaiah, of 28 MADRAS, who bagged 4 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals in international events and 41 gold, 17 silver and 7 bronze medals in national events. Even in golf, a sport dominated by officers till recent years, the Regiment has three JCOs, who have won gold, silver and bronze medals in national and bilateral nations tournaments.
The Regimental Band was adjudged the best military band in 1994, 1996 and 2001. 28th Madras recently completed a tenure at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. In 2001,the Madras Regiment Republic Day Contingent came first in the Army Day Parade, Republic Day Parade (Inter Services), Best Contingent Commander and was also adjudged Best in Quarter Guard and Line Layout competitions the only regiment to achieve this feat so far.
Today, the Madras regiment is foremost in all spheres including wars, counter- insurgency / counter terrorism operations and UN Missions as well as in sports and adventure. In 2013, three battalions of the Regiment were conferred with GOC-in-C’s Unit Appreciation. 122 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (MADRAS) received the Chief Of Army Staff’s Silver Trophy for being the Best Territorial Army Unit of Indian Army from Gen Bikram Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC.
