Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today presented the President's Standard to 47th Armoured Regiment, and asked the Armed forces to be ready for security challenges on the country's borders and in the hinterland.
Gen. Rawat, on the behalf of President Ram Nath Kovind, presented the honour to 47th Armoured Regiment at a mega function at Sunjwan Military Station in Jammu city today.
The 'Standard' is an award for unit heroism. It serves to inspire men and kindle the hopes of the future, and above all strengthen the bonds of allegiance towards the regiment, read an official press release here.
The 47th Armoured Regiment, also known as 'Penetrators', was honoured in recognition of its commendable services.
Led by Parade Commander Col. Anubhav Gairola, the Armed units presented a parade of tanks and gave salute to the Army Chief after they received the President's Standard.
47th Armoured Regiment was raised at Babina in Uttar Pradesh on November 15, 1982 and it was the first armoured regiment to be equipped with Russian T-72 tanks.
The regiment has served in various armoured formations in the Western, Southern, Northern and South-Western Commands during its 35 years of glorious service.
The regiment has participated in all the major operations of Indian Army including Operation Trident (1986), Operation Vijay (1999) and Operation Parakaram (2001).
During its tenure in the Northern Command from 2002-06, the regiment participated in operation Rakshak where it executed multifarious operation tasks like demining, road opening, deploying surveillance detachments and providing quick reaction teams.
Not only this, the regiment also effectively participated in internal security duties at Sonipat in Haryana during anti-Mandal Commission riots.
Speaking to the troops here, the Army chief urged them to remain ready as they are facing multifarious challenges on the security front, from ensuring safeguard of the borders to the internal security.
"Today there are various challenges before Indian Army. The challenges include security of the long borders in India, internal security and United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. In all these situations, Indian Army has to be always ready," he said.
"I feel fortunate to be presenting President's Standard to 47th Armoured Regiment whose responsibility has increased after receiving the honour," Rawat said.
He also paid tributes to Savar Parshotam Reddy of 47th Armoured Regiment who had laid down his life in line of duty during his attachment with 27 Rashtriya Rifles in 2002-03.
"He made the supreme sacrifice in the operation and made the Indian Army and his regiment proud of him," he said.
"The morale of the regiment is high which can be seen from your report card of participation in most important operations in the country," he said.
The Standard presentation ceremony showcases a mounted parade by the regiment on the T-72 tanks with clock-work precision.
The occasion was graced by Lt. Gen. D R Soni, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-Chief) of Army Training Command (ARTRAC) Artrac and Lt. Gen. Surinder Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command.
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