Presidential Standards conferred on five armoured regiments

PATIALA, November 28, 2011(7starnews)

Amid a series of ceremonies, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the prestigious Presidential Standards on five regiments of the Armoured Division, at a solemn function organised at the military station in Patiala on Sunday.



The 70, 73, 74 and 5 Armoured Regiments and 6 Lancers received the Standards for their distinguished services in the recent past. The event, which included an impressive parade by the 132 Bheeshma tanks of the Elephant Division with the imposing Bofors forming the backdrop, was also witnessed by Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil, Chief of the Army Staff Gen. V.K. Singh, senior officers of the Western Command as well as the civil functionaries.



Ms. Patil recalled that the history of the regiments spanning over 44 years was replete with examples of heroism, professionalism and devotion to duty. She said the honour bestowed on the regiments also carried additional responsibilities as the officers and personnel would be expected to carry out their duties more professionally and even be prepared for more sacrifices.



To commemorate the event, the President also released the first day cover of all the five regiments, issued by the Army Postal Service.



Controversy



A section of the radical Sikh organisations, objected to the felicitation of the 6 Lancers, which they claim was involved in "Operation Bluestar," when the Indian Army stormed the Golden Temple complex to flush out terrorists in June 1984. Bestowing the Standards amounted to rubbing salt into the wounds as the Army action had desecrated the holiest shrine and killed hundreds of innocent pilgrims, they said.



Chief Minister absent



Eyebrows were raised as Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is also the patron of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, as well as the president of the Punjab unit of the Congress, Amarinder Singh, did not turn up for the event. While no official reason was forthcoming, Transport Minister Surjit Kumar Jiayani stood in for the Chief Minister, the Congress was represented by Union Minister of State Preneet Kaur, who is the local MP.


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