Four mechanised infantry battalions receive President’s Colours from Army chief

Four battalions of the Army’s Mechanised Infantry were presented President’s Colours by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
| Photo Credit: X/@adgpi

Four battalions of the Army’s Mechanised Infantry were on Wednesday (November 27, 2024) presented President’s Colours by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi during a ceremony at the Mechanised Infantry Centre and School, Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra.

The President’s Colours were awarded to the 26th and 27th Battalions of Mechanised Infantry Regiment and 20th and 22nd Battalions of Brigade of The Guards, marking a proud moment for the youngest battalions, the Army said. The event was a recognition of their exemplary and meritorious service to the nation.

Addressing the ceremony, General Dwivedi said that since its inception in 1979, the Mechanised Infantry has distinguished itself as a modern and professional force within the Army, demonstrating exceptional courage, discipline, and operational proficiency in key operations such as Operation Pawan, Operation Vijay, Operation Rakshak and Operation Snow Leopard as well as in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

“Today, four battalions of Mechanised Infantry are being honoured with the President’s Colours for their exemplary service and numerous achievements, including their contributions to both combat and peacetime operations,” the Army said in a statement.

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 Army. Historically serving as rallying points in battle, military Colours, while now largely symbolic, continue to serve as a morale booster 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, the Army stated.