New Delhi: Indian Army’s Mechanised Infantry Regiment today commemorated its 47th Raising Day with a dignified wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial, paying homage to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation.
Major General R Premraj, Additional Director General of Mechanised Infantry, led a contingent of serving personnel in the solemn observance. On behalf of all ranks of the regiment, they laid wreaths at the memorial and offered tributes to the fallen, reaffirming the Corps’ deep-rooted tradition of honouring its brave hearts.
An official statement from the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) described the occasion as a moment to honour “Bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.” The ceremony, though understated, underscored the regiment’s enduring ethos of sacrifice and professional excellence.
The Mechanised Infantry Regiment was formally raised on April 2, 1979 at Ahilya Nagar (formerly Ahmednagar), marking a significant doctrinal shift within the Indian Army. Conceived in the aftermath of the 1965 and 1971 conflicts, the regiment addressed the pressing requirement for greater tactical mobility and firepower for infantry elements operating alongside armoured formations. Fourteen mechanised battalions were consolidated under a single cap badge, creating a distinct arm that was later placed under the Directorate General of Mechanised Forces (formerly the Armoured Corps Directorate).
Over the past four-and-a-half decades, the regiment has grown into a cornerstone of India’s mechanised warfare capability. Equipped with infantry combat vehicles such as the BMP-2 and integrated into both strike corps and defensive formations, its units have demonstrated versatility across varied operational environments, from high-altitude borders to desert and plains sectors. The formation’s evolution reflects the Indian Army’s broader modernisation drive, emphasising network-centric operations, rapid deployment and seamless integration with armour, artillery and aviation assets.
Today’s wreath-laying ceremony continues a longstanding regimental tradition of beginning each Raising Day at the National War Memorial. It serves not only as a remembrance of those who laid down their lives but also as a reaffirmation of the regiment’s operational readiness and its contribution to India’s national security architecture.
As the Mechanised Infantry Regiment enters its 48th year, it remains a vital element of the Indian Army’s combined-arms capability, ready to meet contemporary challenges while staying true to the legacy of valour established by its predecessors.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
