Celebrating Sixty Years of Courage and Sacrifice

The Shining Sixth

Our unit was raised in 1963; it celebrated its silver jubilee in 1989 in Delhi, while the golden jubilee was celebrated in 2013 in Dehradun. The diamond jubilee was originally scheduled for January 1, 2024; however, it was celebrated now due to operational commitments of the unit. I was keenly waiting for this event, having recently attended the 40-year celebrations of our course at the Indian Military Academy. 

The Buildup

On November 2, 2025, 40 of us boarded an Air India flight from Delhi to Trivandrum, demonstrating our enthusiasm for the event. My daughter Priyanka, who had joined me from Dallas for this event, was also with us – regrettably, Radhika, Parikshit, my son and Deeksha could not join us, as we have just been blessed with a grandson. The three-and-a-half-hour-long flight appeared short as we moved from one seat to another and caught up with each other. Our co-passengers and the flight crew also willingly let us indulge in our bonhomie and regimental chitchat, fully appreciating the fact that an Indian Army unit was celebrating a special occasion.

All the officers, ladies, and a team of Chanda Melam players gave us a traditional welcome upon our arrival at the officer’s mess. The warm reception was followed by dinner at the officer’s institute hosted by Col Satheesan PV, SM, and his wife, Meenu, and their son, Sankar, who is also serving in our unit. As anticipated, the dinner, which should have ended at 10 pm, closed well past midnight as everyone was busy catching up with each other, chitchatting and clicking pictures. 

Jai Badri Vishal

As per custom, the diamond jubilee started on the 03 morning with the “Mandir Parade”, invoking the blessings of Lord Badri Vishal, the regimental deity of the Garhwal Rifles. This was followed by the sombre wreath-laying ceremony, where homage was paid to the fallen comrades. The diverse group of individuals, ranging from the general to the most junior soldier, who participated in the wreath-laying ceremony, exemplifies the leadership culture and fraternity prevalent in the Indian Army’s current fighting outfits.

After the wreath laying, we met for lunch in the JCO’s mess, which I consider the best time of the event, as I interacted with the soldiers with whom I had grown up in the unit. Ganga Dutt Sati, Bhupal Singh, Bhawani Dutt, Kalam Singh, Hari Ballabh, Bharat Singh, Hari Singh, Gopal Singh, Santosh, Rakesh, Sunil and many more of them with whom I had shared times of difficulty and danger; indeed, the best soldiers in the world are the “Veer Garhwali”. In the evening, it was the musical evening and the Barakhana, or meal, with the soldiers. A scintillating display by the regimental pipers and drummers stole everyone’s hearts. 

Fauji Kids

The joy of the wives and children of officers and soldiers, some of whom are gone, inspired me. Our first commanding officer (CO), the late Brig Cariappa’s daughter Cavery, with her husband; Deep, daughter of our second CO, the late Col HB Rai; our third CO, the late Col Moorthy’s Seattle-based grandson Satwik, who proudly wears the Regt War Memorial tattooed on his bicep; Prachi, daughter of the late Major Vijay Kumar, whom we lost in Nagaland in 1985 along with her mother; Jaya Wahi, daughter of Col RK Wahi; Dr Jyoti, daughter of the late Col SC Roy, with her husband and mother; Joshua, son of the late Col Balraj, with his mother Anjum; and Mrs Vandana Gupta, wife of the late Colonel Sanjeev Gupta, all came seeking connection with their loved husband, father or grandfather. I am happy that “Shining Sixth”, a big joint family, was able to provide a sense of homecoming for all of them.

Fun Unleashed

On 04 November the day started with a volleyball match between the officers and JCOs followed by a “fauji mela” in the afternoon and the diamond jubilee dinner in the officers’ mess in the evening. The celebrations finally closed with a dinner at “Phillora House”, the residence of the CO.

Kudos to the Organisers

The entire schedule of the diamond jubilee was power-packed, with one event after the other; however, it was conducted flawlessly in the trademark style and high standards of the “Shining Sixth.” All officers and men of the unit, including the ladies under the enthusiastic leadership of the CO, Daljeet, and his graceful wife, Kuldeep, worked tirelessly to ensure that all guests were looked after well. 

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

We all left the unit with a heavy heart but truly satisfied that our unit, our family is doing well on all spheres. We now look forward to our platinum  jubilee scheduled in 2038.