The seventh batch of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme completed their training on Saturday, marked by a ceremonial attestation parade held at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre (MLIRC) in Belagavi, conducted with full military traditions. A total of 765 Agniveers were attested after successfully completing 24 weeks of rigorous training.
Parade Review and Command
The parade was reviewed by Brigadier Girish Upadhya, Commandant of MLIRC, who commended the Agniveers for their immaculate turnout and high standards of drill. The parade was commanded by Agniveer Sanket Singh, with Major Gajanan Patil serving as the parade adjutant.
Oath Ceremony
The Agniveers took the Oath of Affirmation in the presence of the National Flag, the Regimental Flag, and religious scriptures. The ceremony was attended by their parents, serving and retired regimental personnel, dignitaries, NCC cadets, and school students. The pride with which the Agniveers took the oath added to the solemnity of the occasion.
Reviewing Officer's Address
Addressing the newly attested Agniveers, the reviewing officer highlighted the rich heritage and legacy of MLIRC as one of the oldest infantry regiments of the Indian Army. He emphasized the importance of discipline and physical fitness in a soldier’s life and expressed confidence that the training imparted at the regimental centre would help them excel in future assignments.
Awards and Recognitions
The reviewing officer also presented medals to meritorious Agniveers for excellence in various aspects of training. The prestigious Naik Yashwant Ghadge Victoria Cross Medal for the overall best Agniveer was awarded to Agniveer Gholap Adarsh.
Conclusion and Homage
The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying at the Shourya War Memorial, where the reviewing officer and Agniveers paid homage to the regiment’s fallen soldiers. Parents were felicitated with Gaurav Padak in recognition of their role in motivating their wards to serve the nation.
