One of the first regiments of the Indian Army to be taken up for mechanisation in 1987, only four of its battalions remain to be mechanised. The Brigade of Guards includes 19 infantry battalions, two Territorial Army (TA) battalions and one Rashtriya Rifle battalion -- including about 20,000 troops.

Brigadier Singh was speaking to mediapersons on the eve of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Brigade of Guards, which is considered one of the most elite regiments of the Indian Army.

He said that mechanisation entails total abolition of foot troops from the regiment. The mechanised battalions of the regiment have already acquired modern armoured personnel carriers (APCs), anti-tank guided missile launchers and other equipment utilised in modern warfare. The regiment also hasthe unique combination of having recce and support units -- which fight right on the border as frontal support units to main battalions -- and the missile unit, which makes it one of the most sought-after regiment on the war front.

The Brigade of Guards, which will complete 50 years of existence in August 1949, was founded with the initiative of Field Marshal K M Cariappa. The Brigade then included four battalions drawn from the oldest and most distinguished regiments of the Indian Army. They were the 2nd battalion of the 2nd Punjab Regiment, 1st battalion of the 4th Grenadiers Regiment, 1st battalion of the 6th Rajputana Rifles and 1st battalion of the 7th Rajput Regiment.

The emblem of the brigade is the garuda -- the mythological bird -- and its motto Pahla Hamesha Pahla (first always first). The regiment was one of the first of the Indian Army to have mixed units of infantry, where recruitment was not based on caste or creed. The Brigade also has the unique honour of having the Presidentof India as the Colonel-in-chief and Chief of the Army Staff as the Honorary Colonel.

Brigadier Singh mentioned that the Brigade of Guards has the best combat record among all regiments of post-independent India, with the Guards winning the maximum number of gallantry awards in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The 19 battle honours and 207 awards won by the brigade includes two Param Vir Chakras (PVCs) awarded to Naik Jadunath Singh in 1948 and Lance Naik Albert Ekka in 1971. Two Ashok Chakras (ACs) winners in the brigade are Hav Bishan Singh (1956) and Lt Col Jasbir Raina for Operation Blue Star in 1984.

The three-day golden jubilee celebrations will start on March 24 with the regular biennial conference which discusses and works out regimental policies and other allied issues. All commanding officers and their wives will attend the day long conference.

Programmes on March 25 will commence with the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial. This will be followed by recruits passing out parade to be reviewed by LtGen H R S Mann, Chief of Staff (western command) and the Colonel of regiment. The world record holder Shwet Ashwa team including 40 riders of Military Police Corps will present a motorcycle display, which will be followed by a sky diving display by divers of Indian Air Force.

A light and sound programme highlighting the valour of L N K Albert Ekka, PVC, will be the attraction of the evening, which will conclude with the traditional barakhana (feast).

The main programme on March 26 will be the Sainik Sammelan, during which the golden jubilee brochure and first day cover will be released. In the evening, a musical concert by the military band will precede the golden jubilee dinner.

All programmes will be attended by over 150 officers -- serving and retired -- and nearly 400 ex-servicemen including war widows, decorated soldiers and sportsmen.