Port Blair, Sept 26: The 12th Raising Day Celebrations of 154 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) BIHAR, ‘THE ISLAND TERRIERS’ concluded on 20 Sep 13. The battalion was raised on 10 Sep 2001 at Bangalore and was inducted into Andaman & Nicobar Islands in Jun 2004, and was stationed at its permanent location at Brichgunj Military Station, Port Blair on 18 April 2005.The battalion is unique in that the majority of the troops hail from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The 12th Raising Day of the Battalion was celebrated with traditional pomp and show. As a part of the celebrations the unit organised a cycle rally cum road run from Diglipur to Port Blair covering a distance of 322 km, with the aim of motivating the youth to join the Armed Forces. As part of the Raising Day Celebrations, a Special Mandir programme, Quarter Guard visit and Special Saink Sammelan was organised. A Variety Entertainment cum Special Barakhana was organised on 11 Sep 2013 for all ranks and their families. A Special Family Welfare Meet was held on 17 Sep 2013 in which families of this unit were presented with gift hampers.
On 20 Sep 2013, as a culmination of the celebrations, a Variety Entertainment cum Special Social Evening for officers and their families was organised at Brichgunj Military Station. Air Mshl P K Roy, AVSM, VM, VSM,ADC, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command was the Chief Guest, and a large number of civil and military dignitaries graced the occasion.
During the devastating Tsunami of Dec 2004, the battalion performed outstandingly in providing assistance to civilians in the islands, especially at Campbell Bay. Post the tsunami, during ‘OP MADAD’ the troops with their relentless efforts and dogged determination constructed a six km long unmettalled road, a temporary bridge on Campbell Bay Jetty to handle cargo of relief material, with the most important contribution being the construction of 1031 temp shelters. Besides this, the young and spirited troops also recovered the 1.5 ton statue of the late PM Mrs Indira Gandhi which had been washed away from Indira Point by the raging waters. The redoubtable troops confronted all hurdles with great zeal and fervor, and their efforts besides making national headlines, were also appreciated by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the then Hon’ble President and Dr Manmohan Singh, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Besides a ‘Unit Citation, numerous Commendation Cards, awards and accolades, the latest feather in the cap is of Naib Subedar SS Patra being declared as the best Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) amongst 66 TA battalions from all over the country.
Under the command of Col Nikhil Kulkarni, the present Commanding Officer since 19 Apr 12, the unit has performed extremely well not only in professional activities but also in games and sports competitions. It was the first time after the tsunami that a long range patrol was carried out by the unit through dense jungle from the East Coast to West Coast of the Great Nicobar Island. The patrol was personally led by the Commanding Officer.
Majority of the troops of 154 Infantry Battalion (TA) hail from these islands, and being ‘Sons of the Soil’, they understand the peculiarities and requirements of these islands better. Much progress has been achieved towards sanction for a second Infantry Battalion (TA) for the ANI, which would give further impetus to employment opportunities for the islanders in to the Armed Forces.
