4th Battalion of Bihar Regiment at its Raising Day celebrations in Namkum, Ranchi, on Friday. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, Oct. 1: The 4th Battalion of Bihar Regiment stationed in the state capital turned 50 today, kicking off month-long celebrations for its Raising Day. The regiment was formed on October 1, 1960.

The regiment, known for its achievements in the battlefield and on sports ground, organised a sainik sammelan addressed by commanding officer Col Akash Johar. Johar urged the men and officers to keep up the high tradition and history of the regiment.

The regiment also planted as many as 400 saplings on the army campus at Namkum to mark the golden jubilee celebrations. The Horticulture and Agriculture Research Project at Plandu provided the saplings.

Col Johar said though the regiment would move as soon as transfer orders were received, trees planted by them would remain to remind the city of the regiment. “The regiment wants to give the people of the capital a better environment, and will ensure that the saplings are nurtured till they mature into healthy fruit bearing and shady trees,” the officer said.

The regiment has also organised several recreational programmes for its jawans and their families. A fete is one of the major attractions of Raising Day celebrations.

“We will put up kiosks of games and crafts, besides eateries . A variety of joy rides will also be there to keep the children busy,” said Major Lokesh, another officer of the regiment.

Later in the month, the regiment will organise an in-house function to honour the war widows.

The families of jawans and officers of the regiment who had laid their lives in the line of duty will be special invitees for the programme and will be honoured, Johar added.

The regiment, with a chequered history has made the nation proud on several occasions. From guarding the icy peaks in Ladakh to manning the dense tropical forests in the Northeast, the regiment has stood its ground and achieved success in all its operations.

The regiment was also chosen as the coveted ceremonial guard of the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Red Fort in the year 198-99. The regiment has also served in Kashmir, Punjab and Sri Lanka and conducted successful counter-insurgency operations, Johar said.