Four Mechanised Infantry battalions awarded President’s Colours

In recognition of their exemplary and meritorious service, four battalions of the Mechanised Infantry arm were presented the President’s Colours by the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Upendra Dwivedi, during a ceremony held at the Mechanised Infantry Centre and School (MIC&S) in Ahilyanagar on Wednesday.

The Colours have been awarded on behalf of the President of India to the 26^th and 27^th Battalions of Mechanised Infantry Regiment and 20^th and 22^nd Battalions of Brigade of The Guards, the youngest units of this combat arm.

The Army Chief reviewed the Colour Presentation Parade. He congratulated all ranks of the arm, particularly the honoured battalions, and commended the professionalism of the Mechanised Infantry in both war and peace.

As youngest and most versatile combat arms of the Indian Army, the Mechanised Infantry blends the best of Infantry and Mechanised Forces. Its battalions, many of which have a chequered history, are deployed across all theatres as well as in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions overseas.

General Dwivedi said that the Mechanised Infantry, since its inception in 1979, has distinguished itself as a modern and professional force within the Indian Army, demonstrating exceptional courage, discipline, and operational proficiency in key operations, such as Op Pawan, Op Vinay, Op Rakshak and Op Snow Leopard.

Amidst rapidly evolving warfare dynamics, the Mechanised Infantry continues to modernise with advanced systems such as the Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles, Nag Missile Systems, Canister Launched Anti-Armour system, Mini Remotely Piloted Aircrafts and Integrated surveillance and target system strengthening its role as a decisive force in future conflicts.

These modernisation efforts are progressing on the foundation of self-reliance and the Army Chief also asked the units to play an important role the in Indian Army’s decade of transformation initiatives.

Originating from historical military traditions where flags represented a unit’s identity, the President’s Colours is one of the highest honours awarded to a military unit in the Indian Army. Historically serving as rallying points in battle, military Colours, while now largely symbolic, continue to foster morale, motivation and a sense of belonging among troops.

The Colours – a ceremonial flag bearing the unit’s insignia and motto – are presented to units upon completing specified meritorious service to recognise their contributions in operations and peacetime. Colours are generally presented personally by the President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and in case of the President’s non-availability, by the Service Chief.

With its beginnings in April 1979, the Mechanised Infantry Regiment (MIR) comprises 27 battalions, including five reconnaissance and support battalions, which form an integrated part of the Army’s fighting echelons in the plains, deserts and some sectors in high altitude areas.

The Brigade of The Guards was initially raised as line infantry in 1949 and was mechanised in the 2000s, with its 23 regular battalions, complementing the MIR. It also has one Rashtriya Rifles battalion and two Territorial Army battalions.