Units with English names, machinery, customs... Army reviewing colonial baggage
By Anish Kumar | First Published Sep 20, 2022, 11:08 PM ISTSome of the legacy practices, which the Indian Army is considering for review, include uniforms and accoutrements, units, establishments, institutes of colonial past and English names of some of the units among others.
In yet another step towards doing away with the British colonial legacy, the Indian Army will review some of its customs, old practices, regulations and policies. A review meeting is taking place after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in March last year called for greater indigenization efforts in the Indian armed forces -- be it in terms of machinery, doctrines, procedures and customs.
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Some of the legacy practices, which are to be considered for review, include uniforms and accoutrements, units, establishments, institutes of colonial past and English names of some of the units among others.
The discussion on renaming the buildings, roads, parks, institutions like Auchinlek or Kitchener House and affiliation of Indian Army units with foreign armies will also come up in the meeting to be held under the chairmanship of Adjutant General Lt Gen CB Ponnappa.
Other things that need to be reviewed are pre-Independence battle honours -- awarded by the British to quell the Indian states and freedom, affiliation with Commonwealth Graves Commission, grant of Hony Commissions and ceremonies like beating a retreat and Colonel Of the regiment system.
The military funerals could be shifted to modern hearse vehicles instead of gun carriages. The Indian Army will also review the names and insignia in Unit, Crest of Colonial times, the procedures of the officers' mess, traditions and customs.
It is pertinent to mention here that days ago, the Indian Navy had done away with the Cross of St George and unveiled a new Naval Ensign (flag) in Kochi that features the insignia of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who built the groundwork for a modern navy.
Earlier this year, the government replaced the traditional hymn 'Abide With Me' for the first time since 1950 in the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29. In its place, the patriotic Hindi song 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon' was introduced.
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