Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

`Hyderabadis' celebrate Raising Day

By Our Staff Reporter

Hyderabad Nov. 5. The Hyderabadi battalion of the Bison Division celebrated its 150th Raising Day at the Maitra Stadium, Bolarum, here on Wednesday.

According to a defence press release, this Hyderabadi battalion has a unique history, being raised on Nov. 5, 1853 by Raja Rameshwar Rao I of the Wanaparthy Samasthan, which is located about 100 km from Hyderabad. The Nizam had appointed the Raja as inspector of his army and after the Raja's death in 1866, the battalion was absorbed into the Nizam's Army and became its nucleus.

Subsequent to the Hyderabad State's merger with the Indian Union in 1948, all units of the Hyderabad State Force were disbanded with volunteers who wished to serve with the Indian Army being posted in this battalion, which was the only unit to be absorbed into the Indian Army. The unit has a unique mixed class composition with no sub-unit or rank structure based on class. Troops celebrate Hindu and Muslim festivals together.

Popularly known as the "Hyderabadis" in the Army, the battalion participated in Operation Riddle in 1965 and was awarded theatre honour "Hilli" for its role in Operation Cactus Lily in 1971. The "Hyderabadis" have also participated in Operations Trident, Rakshak, Vijay and Parakram.

Currently, Col. Gurmeet Singh commands the battalion. Lt. General J.J. Singh, GOC-in-C, Army Training Command who is also the Colonel of the Regiment, reviewed the guard of honour on the occasion and laid a wreath for the soldiers of the Battalion who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

A cycle expedition from Mumbai to Hyderabad, special Sainik sammelan and a grand Maratha pageant followed by Raising Day dinner were held to mark the occasion.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Plot owners' hopes lie buried in tankbed
• Banda Cheruvu to be made recreation spot
• Students' theatre fete from tomorrow
• Traders protest against `no parking' zone in Banjara Hills
• `Hyderabadis' celebrate Raising Day
• SC/ST Commission to be vested with legal powers
• Children's films to be screened in RR dt.
• End to long wait in sight for Shantinagar corporator

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu