A History of Courage

The Wellington Cantonment near Coonoor hosts two prestigious institutions. Our first was to visit the Madras Regimental Centre.

The Madras Regimental Centre is the custodian of regimental history & is the main training centre for new recruits into the regiment. This is where young boys are turned into fierce warriors of the future. It boasts of a 8000 square meter parade ground surrounded on four sides by a 2 storey structure that houses the recruits. The hospital, gymnasiums and messes and other structures are spread across the property.

A Motivation Hall has also been added where each battalion’s history and achievements are displayed for awareness of young officers and soldiers before joining their battalion. It’s no surprise that the heroics of Naik Raju, the Regiment’s first Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) awardee & Lieutenant Ram Prakash Roperia (Ashok Chakra) (AC) and many other awardees are still spoken about with respect and gratitude in these hallowed halls even today.

Apart from serving within the borders of India, the regiment has also served in UN Peace Keeping missions in Lebanon and Congo. The regiment has taken part in campaigns with the pre-independence British Indian Army in overseas deployments spanning from Kabul in Afghanistan to Beijing in China. Not to forget the sacrifices during World War 1 in East Africa, World War 2 in Burma-South East Asia, post-independence Indo-Pak Wars of 1947-48,1965,1971,1999 (Kargil) and also the counter insurgency operations in J&K and Punjab. It’s no wonder, the 44 battle honours that it has earned is a testimony to the rich history and valour of its soldiers.

They exhibited their participation in Siachen Glacier in Operation Megdhdoot via a presentation in 3D with laser lights beaming on a raised map giving the indication that the action was taking place live. Other notable participations were in Operation Pawan and Operation Blue Star. The museum also features infographics, interactive kiosks and an audio visual screening.

What was really touching was the themed diorama depicting the journey of a Thambi soldier from when he’s a small boy dreaming to be a soldier as he sits on the lap of his mother, his enlistment into the Regiment, his training at the centre, his graduation from the centre, the battle that he fights and finally the martyrdom that he achieves through his sacrifice and bravery. It ends with his mother receiving the medal of valour awarded posthumously to him.

To capture the glorious history of this distinguished regiment and the men who battle every day is exceptionally difficult to fit in this article. If you ever get a chance (by military reference) to visit such an institution please don’t miss the rare opportunity to honour these brave men. As the saying goes, ‘They give their today for our tomorrow.’

Jai Hind!!