In an armoured regiment, camaraderie isn’t just a value; it’s the lifeblood. Few occasions in life let one truly feel the weight and warmth of that brotherhood, not just among peers but across generations. One such rare and humbling moment occurred on an evening that united the past, the present, and the promise of the future. That night, we were more than just comrades; we were witnesses to the legacy of steel, honour, and blood that defines an armoured regiment.
It’s easy to talk about tradition. Harder to live it. Hardest of all to see it come alive in a single evening, but that’s precisely what happened.
The First Salute: Meeting the Commandant Again
The evening carried a weight from the start. My first Commandant appeared, a towering figure from my earliest days in uniform. A man whose leadership was less about raising his voice and more about earning respect through his actions: seeing him again was not just a reunion; it was like standing once more at the base of the tree where I was first shaped.
Beside him, his wife, elegant, poised, and always graceful, carried the same nurturing presence she had years ago. As a young officer, you never forget the first family that shows you that regimental life isn’t just about tactics and drills but about the social fabric that holds everything together. She was that warmth, that unspoken support in the background, who never wore rank but commanded influence.
They had watched us grow, not just in the army but as individuals. They observed us stumble, push forward, earn our first stripes, fall in love, marry, and have children. In that moment, they saw us as they had never seen us before, no longer just juniors, but as part of the ongoing journey that would carry the torch forward. The responsibility now lies with us, the next generation, to uphold and advance our regiment’s legacy.
Blood Ties of Brotherhood
There were other Cavaliers as well who had shaped, mentored, and taught the basics, helping us take the torch forward. Many days were shared when the Regiment was deployed overseas in Operation Pawan, Sri Lanka, from 1987 to 1990. Watching them, it was clear: some bonds not only survive the harshness of regimental life, but they grow stronger in it. Their affection didn’t just defy the environment; it overcame it.
The Middle Generation: Torchbearers in Service
Sandwiched between the veterans and the newest officers was a generation that quietly shouldered the responsibility of continuity. These were the colonels and brigadiers who didn’t just serve — they led. They upheld the high standards set before them, adapted to modern warfare, and preserved the regiment’s ethos.
They were the doers, less remembered in speeches, more remembered in actions. Their contribution is often unspoken but deeply felt. The regiment’s legacy, like any legacy, is only as strong as the hands that carry it when no one’s watching. And this generation carried it with dignity, honour, and a relentless sense of duty.
That evening, their presence was both a reassurance and a challenge. It served as a comforting reminder that we had performed admirably. A challenge that the job of mentorship, now, was ours.
Meeting the Young Generation
Then came the moment that made it all fall into place. We met the newest generation, a young officer with his bride, already grounded in discipline and pride. They are the future torchbearers. Talking to them was nostalgic. They were respectful but not fearful. Confident, but not arrogant. Hungry, but not entitled. In short, they were exactly what we needed them to be.
That interaction marked a significant turning point. We had become the ‘seniors’ now. The stories we shared weren’t just stories; they were history. We weren’t just part of the regiment; we were its living memory. In that realisation, there was both pride and a sense of responsibility.
Traditions That Hold Us Together
An armoured regiment, unlike many other units, relies on more than just training schedules and SOPs. Its spirit is rooted in its customs, the passing of the regimental silver, the remembrance of past operations and field exercises, the insistence on gentlemanly conduct, the unwavering dress standards, and the unspoken rules of honour that even the newest recruit learns by observing.
These traditions are not outdated. They are anchors. They remind us who we are and why we serve. They bind us together.
The Families: Silent Sentinels of Strength
No article on an armoured regiment can ignore the families. That night, their presence was as powerful as the uniformed ones. The wives, the children, and even the elders are the silent sentinels. They don’t fire guns, but they fight battles every day: of absence, of uncertainty, of holding the fort back home.
The ladies, in particular the regimental ladies, are a class apart. They raise children alone. They hold families together through relocations, postings, and hospital stays. They wear grace as armour and humour as a weapon. And they are as much a part of the regiment as any man in uniform.
That evening, watching them interact across age and timelines was like watching the branches of a banyan tree reunite around its root. Timeless, interconnected, and impossibly strong.
A Torch That Never Dies
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from that evening was this: The regiment is not a place. It’s not even just a unit. It’s a lineage. It’s a story told in chapters, each written by a different hand, but all guided by the same spirit.
And as the night wound down with laughter and memories, it became clear that the occasion was more than a reunion. It was a ritual of passage. We had transitioned from being mentees to mentors. From the warriors to the storytellers. From the fire to the torch.
And the flame, we could see, is in good hands
On the proud occasion of our Regiment’s 59th Raising Day, warm wishes to the Commandant, all ranks, and their families, as well as to our Veterans and their families. May you continue to excel in every sphere of life, uphold our glorious traditions, and live true to our war cry — Maan Ya Mrityu.