A team of media personnel visited JL Wing, The Infantry School and the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre in Belagavi today. They were exposed to the rich culture, tradition and ethos of Indian Army and training establishments.
As part of the visit to The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre, they were briefed by Brig Pravin Shinde, the Commandant, The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre. He said, the history of The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental dates back to 217 years during which the Maratha battalions participated in various wars and campaigns and earned many laurels for the nation.
The media team visited the war memorial which has the inscription of names of Martyrs of the Regiment who sacrificed their life for the “Izzat of the Paltan & Nation.” The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre is the only Regimental Centre in the Indian Army which has participated in War (1st World War) and won numerous awards.
The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre is the cradle of soldiering where the recruits who come from civilian background are subjected to rigorous combat training spread over nine months. At the end of the training, they emerge as physically fit, mentally robust soldiers, motivated and ready to take on any challenge while serving the Army and Nation. The media team was shown a glimpse of important training events. The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre has innovatively incorporated the latest technologies with the standard military training to prepare the young soldiers to cope up with emerging conflict scenarios. Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre also provides training to Karnataka Police in Anti Naxal Trg.
The troops of The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre have been actively participating in various sports events at the National and International level. The Regimental Centre is also the nominated nodal centre for adventure sports activities to include White Water Rafting and Parasailing.
The Regimental Centre also run the capsules for the soldiers proceeding on pension to prepare them to adjust to life after retirement. With sustained efforts, many pensioners have been reimbursed with the dues out of pensions which were long outstanding due to change of policies. The well-established Placement Cell undertakes placement of soldiers in various jobs after their retirement. The Regimental Centre is in regular touch with war widows, needy battle casualties and assists them in all their endeavours.
The media team was given an insight of how one of the oldest well known Regiments of the Indian Army has been actively participating in Nation Building.The battalions of the Regiment have participated in all Major Wars, Internal Conflicts, Counter Insurgency, Counter Terrorist Operations, Aid to Civil Authority as also in Disaster Management.
As A ward(son) of A Retired Indian Army Junior Commisioned Officer (since deceased) of this MLIRC, Belgavi( Belgaum) and having myself been brought up under his(father’s) care in these surroundings in the past century,I Say that the life and activity of the army personnel of this centre has along lived upto the finest & highest traditions of our Indian Army. I owe my up-bringing in my own life and career to MLIRC Belgavi(Belgaum). May The Flags of MLIRC KEEP FLYING HIGH ALWAYS. JAI-HIND. Jan Mohamed Shaikh.