PATIALA: It was a historic moment for the Army on Sunday, when the supreme commander of the armed forces and President of India Pratibha Patil presented colours to its five tank regiments at Patiala in an impressive ceremony. It is the second occasion in the history of Independent India that so many regiments were conferred with the colours, which are presented for exceptional role played by these regiments during war and peacetime. A formation of 132 T-90 tanks, with their engines roaring, guns on stabilizer systems and holding their newly acquired colours presented salute to their supreme commander. The five regiments presented colours were 70 Armoured, 73 Armoured, 74 Armoured, 5 Armoured and 6 Lancers. Out of these regiments, 70 Armoured Regiment had participated in the 1971 war. All these regiments have offered more than 25 years of dedicated service to the nation. Colours were received by Col M K Sirohi who is commandant of 70 Regiment, Col Sunil Dala of 73 Regiment, Col Atul Suri of 74 regiment, Col Mohit Wadhwa of 5 Regiment and Col Ranjan Keron of 6 Lancers. In the presence of four religious teachers -- representing various faiths Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Sikhs -- a short prayer was held following which the President presented the colours to the commandants of the respective units. Speaking on the occasion, Patil congratulated the units for the rare honour. She said that the honour bestowed upon them carries additional responsibilities. The President also reviewed the parade before the colour presentation ceremony. Chief of Army Staff General V K Singh, Army commander of Western command Lt General, S R Ghosh and a host of other senior serving officers, as well as retired veterans and all ranks, also witnessed the historic moment.
Box: What they denote?
Colours or Nishans, also known as Dhwajas/Patakas, are a source of pride for any regiment and various traditions have taken shape around them. In the Indian context, these have their roots in history since Vedas and Puranas where an individual sign of a king or emperor were carried by the armies. These Dhwajas were protected at any cost. Loss of the Dhwaja to another army was considered a defeat. Acceptance of colour or nishan of another ruler was taken as accepting the supremacy of that king.
Significance of colours
With East India Company coming under the control of the English, the regiments in India started carrying colours of the British Crown. After Independence these colours were discontinued and placed at Chetwood Hall of Indian Military Academy at Dehradun. Later, they became the colours of the President of Republic of India. Cavalry regiments from whom these five regiments owe their traditions carried the Guidons, which were last paraded in 1936. Post-Independence only colours are awarded.
Box: What they denote?
Colours or Nishans, also known as Dhwajas/Patakas, are a source of pride for any regiment and various traditions have taken shape around them. In the Indian context, these have their roots in history since Vedas and Puranas where an individual sign of a king or emperor were carried by the armies. These Dhwajas were protected at any cost. Loss of the Dhwaja to another army was considered a defeat. Acceptance of colour or nishan of another ruler was taken as accepting the supremacy of that king.
Significance of colours
With East India Company coming under the control of the English, the regiments in India started carrying colours of the British Crown. After Independence these colours were discontinued and placed at Chetwood Hall of Indian Military Academy at Dehradun. Later, they became the colours of the President of Republic of India. Cavalry regiments from whom these five regiments owe their traditions carried the Guidons, which were last paraded in 1936. Post-Independence only colours are awarded.