Tuesday, February 14, 2012


THE GORKHA BRIGADE CELEBRATES ITS DIAMOND JUBILEE
New Delhi: Magha 24,1933
Monday , Feb 13, 2012

In the annals of the Army, the Gorkha Brigade has a special place of honour. These Khukri wielding Gorkhas’ blood chilling battle cry, “AYO GORKHALI”, with raised Khukris in their hands, causes trepidation in the heart of their foes. They are born soldiers who have always risen to their motto – “It is better to die than be a coward”. They have a distinguished history, replete with feats of courage and valour, bringing laurels to the Army and the Nation in both War and Peace. The Gorkha Brigade has produced many illustrious and outstanding commanders, including two Army Chiefs - Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, MC and Gen GG Bewoor, Padma Bhushan, PVSM.




After independence, to foster esprit-de-corps and to coordinate welfare activities, “The Gorkha Brigade Club” was constituted in 1952 by Maj Gen (Retd) DK Palit, VrC, FRGS. The Secretariat of Gorkha Brigade functions under the aegis of the Gorkha Recruitment Depot (GRD), located at Kunraghat (Gorakhpur) with the prime task of welfare-oriented activities for its serving & retired Gorkha soldiers, and widows of Gorkha soldiers under the common umbrella of the “Gorkha Brigade”.

During the past 60 years battalions of the Gorkha Brigade has proved their mettle in all fronts. They have rendered commendable service in counter-insurgency and terrorism operations in J&K and the North East, aided civil authorities during political unrest, communal riots, natural calamities and participated successfully in international peace keeping missions under the UN.

The Gorkha Brigade has excelled in games and sports, especially football and boxing, winning the prestigious Durand Football Cup in 1966 and 1969 and several medals in boxing at national and international level. In adventure sports, particularly mountaineering, the Gorkhas have conquered many peaks including the Mt Everest; they have also undertaken successful white water rafting expeditions.

The Gorkha Brigade Reunion, usually held every year in Delhi, was organised both in Gorakhpur & at Delhi from 8th to 12th February 2012 to commemorate its Diamond Jubilee. The conference at Gorakhpur was presided over by Lt Gen SK Singh, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, (who is also the President of the Gorkha Brigade). The Colonels of all the Gorkha Regiments, Centre Commandants and Commanding Officers of the Gorkha Brigade fraternity participated, where various issues were discussed & important decisions arrived at. While the functions at Gorakhpur were also attended by a large number of ex-servicemen and their families from Nepal, the Gorkha Brigade Diamond Jubilee Golf Cup and lunch witnessed a large turnout of serving and retired officers.

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