Maratha Light Infantry Regiment to celebrate 250th raising day tomorrow

By Anish SinghnnNEW DELHI: Maratha Light Infantry Regiment of Indian Army will celebrate its 250th raising day on February 4 across the country.nnThe celebration will continue for a year and culminate on the same day in 2019.nnBriefing the mediapersons about a year-long event, the Colonel of the MLIR Lt Gen PJS Pannu said, ?Maratha Light Infantry Regiment (MLIR) is one of the oldest and most decorated regiment of the Indian Army. We will celebrate this event across all our units in the country. The programme will culminate on February 4, 2019.?nnThe Regiment was raised in 1768 by the British Company.nnThis is the only regiment of the Indian Army from which two units of Special Forces have been drawn, namely 2nd and 21st Battalions of Parachute Regiment.nnThe Regiment has ?Bol Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai as its war cry and its soldiers are known for their quick march speed of 140 steps in a minute, while a standard pace for a quick march is 120 beats per minute.nnLt Gen Pannu stated that Shivaji Maharaj is ?our icon”, and highlighted that the soldiers also draw inspirations from the visionary warrior king.nn”Shivaji Maharaj is our icon, we draw inspiration from the guerilla warfare of the Maratha soldiers of his army, and the Maratha Light Infantry is known for its soldiers being quick footed, with special ability to fight at night, and attacking from an unexpected direction,” Lt Gen Pannu said.nnWhile interacting with the mediapersons, he shared the story of Shivaji’s victory of the Singhgadh fort, fought by his General Tanaji Malusare, in which the soldiers used monitor lizards called “ghorpad” to climb the impregnable fort’s walls and launch a surprise attack which led to their victory.nn”The soldiers of our regiment can climb any wall, or steep climb,” he said.nnThe regiment has 56 battle honours to its credit which include 14 pre-first World War.nnThe honours given to the regiment include two Victoria Crosses, four Ashoka Chakras, 10 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Maha Vir Chakras, four Kirti Chakras, along with several other awards, and also has to its credit 10 theatre honours, four pre-Independence and six after Independence.nnThe Regiment has also planned to celebrate its raising day at Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mumbai and 20 Squadron of Indian Air Force near Pune.nnINS Mumbai and 20 Squadron are affiliated with this regiment.