Pune, 19 February 2024 

 

A cycle expedition from MARATHA Light Infantry Regimental Center, Belgavi was flagged off on the MARATHA Day ie 04 Feb 2024, covering 800 Kms, visiting all major forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, finally culminating at Sinhagad. The cycling team was led by Maj Sandeep Kumar of MARATHA LI Regimental Center along with two Junior Commissioned Officers and 13 other ranks to include two ex-servicemen of 4 MARATHA LI. 

04 Feb 2024 is celebrated by the MARATHA Light Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army as MARATHA Day. This was the day when KONDHANA Fort was captured by Tanaji Malusare. The battle for Kondhana is unique in a number of ways bringing out major lessons of warfare from the strategic to sub tactical levels and highlights the brilliance, motivation and bravery of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Marathas. 

The flagging in took place on 17 Feb 2024 and was dovetailed into the ‘Commemoration Ceremony of the successful battle for Kondhana’ as an apt tribute to the memory of the iconic ‘Tanaji Malusare’, acknowledging his contributions, achievements and sacrifices during the capture of Kondhana (‘Sinhgad Fort’). It was a powerful way to honour and remember the events (as were recalled) and ideas that have shaped the lives of ‘The Valiant Marathas’ over the centuries. 

The event was marked by speeches and narratives by Cmde Shrikant Kesnur, VSM(retd) (on Naval maritime history of the Marathas and how it can actually be considered to be the origins of an indigenous Indian Navy), Wg Cdr Shashikant Oak(retd) (on the Battle of Sinhgadand atanaji’s valour) and by Lt Gen PJS Pannu, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (retd), ex Colonel of the Regt (on the Light Infantry exploits and tactics, enviable achievements of The MARATHA LI, the significance of using this event as a pivot for taking forward this rich legacy of The Marathas).

The event concluded with the traditional Maratha ‘Jewan’ or food which had been thoughtfully worked out to try and replicate the meal taken by Tanaji Malusare before the battle of Kondhana at the very place he had it!! It was a very surreal experience that left all attendees humbled, grateful, motivated, proud, happy and invigorated, all emotions rolled into one. What better time to organise such an event than on the eve of Shiv Jayanti.

 

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PIB Pune | MI/ D.Rane

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