A total of 659 Agniveers graduated from the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre (MLIRC) in Belagavi on Thursday, marking the successful culmination of 31 weeks of rigorous training under the Agnipath scheme. The fifth batch was honoured with a ceremonial attestation parade steeped in military tradition.
The parade was reviewed by MLIRC Commandant Brigadier Joydip Mukherjee, who commended the Agniveers for their impeccable turnout and exceptional drill performance. Agniveer Gajanan Rathod led the parade as its commander, with Lt. Col. Digvijay Singh serving as the parade adjutant.
During the ceremony, the Agniveers took the Oath of Affirmation in the presence of the national flag, regimental flag, and sacred religious texts. The event was witnessed by their proud parents, serving and retired members of the regiment, local dignitaries, NCC cadets, and school students.
Brigadier Mukherjee, while addressing the newly attested soldiers, reminded them of the proud legacy of the Maratha Light Infantry, one of the oldest regiments in the Indian Army. He highlighted the critical role of discipline and physical fitness in a soldier’s life and expressed confidence in the quality of training imparted at MLIRC.
To recognize outstanding performance, medals were awarded to meritorious Agniveers across various training categories. The prestigious Naik Yashwant Ghadge Victoria Cross Medal for Best Overall Agniveer was presented to Agniveer Kaple Krishnat.
The ceremony concluded with a solemn wreath-laying at the Sharqat War Memorial in honour of the regiment’s martyrs. As a token of appreciation, the parents of the Agniveers were also felicitated with the Gaurav Padak for inspiring their children to serve the nation.
