THE 14th Reunion of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment commenced with zeal and enthusiasm at the Regimental Centre on Monday. The two day event started on a solemn note with Wreath Laying ceremony at the War Memorial of the Regimental Centre to pay homage to the brave hearts of the Regiment, presided over by Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, AVSM, GOC-in-C Northern Command and Colonel of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment and Ladakh Scouts. This memorial service was followed by a Special Sainik Sammelan. Addressing on the occasion, Colonel of the Regiment paid solemn tributes to the brave hearts who made the supreme sacrifice on the Line of Duty and also congratulated all ranks for highest standards of professionalism, training and administration which brought unparalleled laurels to the regiment.

 

This address was followed by presentation of the most prestigious Colonel of the Regiment Banner to the best battalion of the Regiment based on professional performance over the last two years. In the evening, a scintillating band symphony and Barakhana was organized by the Regimental Centre for all serving and veteran officers, JCOs and Other Ranks. Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, AVSM and Sunita Dwivedi took this opportunity to felicitate Veer Naris and selected personnel for their selfless service to the society and veteran community of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment even after retirement.

 

Having participated in all operations of war pre and post-Independence, the JAK RIF Regiment has proved its valour each and every time earning 2 PVCs, 2 ACs, 5 MVCs, 11 KCs, 44 VrCs and 47 SCs. Apart from Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, AVSM, prominent among those who attended the Reunion were Lt Gen GL Bakshi, PVSM (Retd), Lt Gen SS Grewal, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd), Lt Gen Susheel Gupta, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Lt Gen Sandeep Singh, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC and Lt Gen VP Singh, AVSM, YSM (Retd), all previous Colonels of the Regiment. Lt Gen VK Mishra, PVSM, AVSM, Commandant, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Maj Gen CA Pithawalla, Ashok Chakra, YSM (Retd) and a number of regimental serving senior General officers also added grace to the event by their presence. Commanding Officers of all battalions of the regiment, Subedar Majors, a number of Veer Naris and serving and veteran officers, JCOs and Other Ranks and their dependents were also present. It was a matter of pride for the regiment that G L Batra, proud father and Vishal Batra, brother of Param Vir Chakra awardee Late Captain Vikram Batra were also present during the Reunion.

 

The regimental bonhomie and espirit-de-corps was witnessed in abundance during the two day event as senior veterans shared their experiences with the serving officers, JCOs and Other Ranks and fondly reminiscedthe days of serving together in tough conditionsand renewed the old association with a promise to meet again after four years in the next regimental Reunion. A family welfare meet, chaired by Sunita Dwivedi, First Lady of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment, was also organised at Jammu and Kashmir Auditorium in which all ladies had a healthy interaction over role and responsibilities of Army Wives. The First Lady was updated on the ongoing AWWA activities at the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regimental Centre and appreciated the ‘Swavalamban’ and ‘Annapurna’ projects of the Centre aimed at women empowerment, making army ladies self-reliant through skilling.