| COLONELS OF THE REGIEMENT | | | Major General Anil R Raikar, VSM | |  Major General Anil Ramesh Raikar was born on 5 December 1944 at Pune. He had his early education at RIMC, Dehradun before being selected to join the National Defence Academy, Kharakvasla. After his training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, he was commissioned into 6 SIKH LI on 2 August 1964. He saw action with the battalion in the Chhamb and Kalidhar sectors of Jammu and Kashmir during the 1965 war. Thereafter, he was posted as aide-de-camp to Lieutenant General PS Bhagat, PVSM, VC, the then Colonel of the Regiment.
Having completed the course at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, in 1978, he was posted to 104 Infantry Brigade where he served as Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General and later as Brigade Major. He raised 14 SIKH LI in 1980 at Fatehgarh and then moved the battalion to Gwalior. After successfully commanding the battalion, he was posted to the Military Secretary's Branch at Army Headquarters. Subsequently, he served as Colonel General Staff of 27 Mountain Division.
Promoted as Brigadier in 1990, he commanded 268 Infantry Brigade in the Kashmir Valley at a time when the area was in the throes of militancy. He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal, in 1993, for his dedication to duty. After commanding the brigade he was posted as Commandant of the Regimental Centre at Fatehgarh where he served for over three years. During his tenure at the Regimental Centre, the Regiment witnessed its second Colour Presentation, when 15 and 16 SIKH LI received their Colours. The Regimental Museum-cum-War Memorial was also inaugurated on the occasion. The complete regimental centre got a face-lift and the Officers Mess, including Savory Lodge, JCO's Mess and Clerk's Mess were completely renovated.
On promotion to as Major General he assumed command of 27 Infantry Division, at Kalimpong. After commanding the division in a high altitude area, he was posted as Commandant of the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan. On completion of an extended tenure in Bhutan he was posted to Kolkata as General Officer Commanding of Bengal Area.
Major General Anil R Raikar became the Colonel of the Regiment on 6 November 1998. He retired from the army on 31 December 2002 and has settled down in Pune. During his stewardship of the Regiment, three Rashtriya Rifle battalions came into the regimental fold and additional married accommodation was constructed in the Regimental Centre. His association with the Regiment is cherished by one and all.
| | |
Previous
|
|
