The Bihar Regiment celebrated its ninth reunion at Bihar Regimental Centre, Danapur Cantonment with enthusiasm. A biennial conference was also held on this occasion. The functions were organised under the supervision of Brig MS Balhara, Centre Comman-dant and were presided over by Lt Gen OS Lohchab, Colonel of Bihar Regiment.

On this occasion, a sainik sammelan was held in which all serving and ex-servicemen of the regiment participated. Speaking at the sainik sammelan, Lt Gen OS Lohchab congratulated all ranks in maintaining high traditions of the regiment in tune with the present battlefield requirements of the Army. Among the retired officers who addressed the sainik sammelan were a British Officer Lt Col LW Beglin, Lt Gen JS Gharaya, Lt Gen KS Mann and Lt Col PS Sable. Various issues pertaining to the regiment and problems of the serving soldiers and ex-servicemen were discussed at the sammelan.

As part of the celebrations, two new books were released by Lt Gen OS Lohchab. These books would help the soldiers to hone their fighting skills in the current hi-tech battlefield environment, said Lt Gen OS Lohchab.

The hallmark of the celebrations was the colourful attestation parade. The occasion was of utmost significance for all the trainee soldiers who took an oath to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for safeguarding the motherland in the need of the hour. Lt Gen OS Lohchab took the salute as the chief guest and congratulated all passing-out recruits for their successful completion of the training. It was preceded by an excellent parade which proved the saying-"drill is the bedrock of discipline".

The celebrations progressed with the inauguration of Maurya Museum by Lt Gen OS Lohchab. The museum is laid out in four sections, namely, Halls of-‘Origin’, ‘Valour’, ‘Heritage’ and ‘Fame’. It houses the historical wealth of the regiment. A glimpse through the museum takes us back to the time of Lord Buddha and enthralls us with the depiction of different milestones in the history of the regiment till the recent Kargil conflict.

All the luminaries of the regiment find a place of mention in this museum. A full size statue of the first Indian officer to command the 1st battalion of this regiment, Lt Col Habibullah Khan Khattak has been placed in the Hall of Fame. The entrance of the museum attracts the visitors with bust statues of Babu Kuwanr Singh and Birsa Munda-great freedom fighters from Bihar. In addition, beautiful paintings depicting battles of Akhaura and Kalinga adorn the entrance hall.

The Hall of Origin houses the photographs of the founder of Bihar Regiment, Lt Col JRH Tweed, first Commandant of BRC, Lt Col RC Muler and first Indian Commandant of BRC, Lt Col HS Randhawa. The Hall of Fame gives details of recipients of various awards and medals from this regiment. The Hall of Valour gives an account—of various theatres of war in which battalions of Bihar Regiment participated. These pictures and photographs describe the laurels won by the battalions of Bihar Regiment. Achievements of regiment in battles of Asknoura and Gangwa, operations Rakshak and Vijay, UN peace-keeping operations in Somalia are highlighted in great detail. The Hall of Heritage gives details of adventure activities Hockey Olympians like Dung Dung and Manohar Topona and others who excelled in various fields find a place here.

A unique and maiden compact disc on patriotic regimental tunes, prepared by the regiment band of Bihar Regiment, was released by Mrs Hemlata Lohchab at the Officers’ Mess function.