Col Rohit Dagar, Commandant 61st Cavalry met the oldest surviving Ex-servicemen of 61st Cavalry aged 101 years Ex Dfr MK Veeraraj Urs at his residence.   

The Commandant, 61st Cavalry on learning about Ex Dfr MK Veeraraj Urs from Brigadier Arupendu Gupta of Grenadiers drove all the way to Mysore from Bengaluru, Where Col Rohit Dagar was on an official visit. The unexpected visit of the Commandant exhilarated the spirit of the 101-year-old veteran who had retired from the 61st Cavalry after serving for 22 years from 1940 to 1962.  

Col Rohit Dagar presented a Regimental Memento to the 101-year-old Ex-serviceman at his residence and spent time interacting with the veteran who enthusiastically shared his fond memories of how he had been part of the Mysore Lancers before they were amalgamated along with the Lancers of Jodhpur, Patiala and Gwalior to form the 61st Cavalry Regiment as it stands today in Jaipur. He recalled the practice sessions including jumping, tent pegging and the horses he rode.  

Col Rohit Dagar presented a Regimental Memento to the 101-year-old Ex-serviceman at his residence and spent time interacting with the veteran who enthusiastically shared his fond memories of how he had been part of the Mysore Lancers before they were amalgamated along with the Lancers of Jodhpur, Patiala and Gwalior to form the 61st Cavalry Regiment as it stands today in Jaipur. He recalled the practice sessions including jumping, tent pegging and the horses he rode.

The veteran with a sparkle in his eyes fondly remembered his favourite horse named ‘Gowri’ during the conversation and proudly showed the memorabilia preserved in her remembrance, that adorns the hall of his house. The memorabilia is a bunch of hair from the same horse’s tail which he preserves as remembrance of his favourite horse.   

The Ex-serviceman kindled the memories associated with the Cavalry, while interacting with the Commandant and mentioned his fond associations with the Regiment. The entire Urs family were thrilled that the institution still remembered the veteran for his service after more than even sixty years. The visit of the Commandant brought out the rich ethos and traditions of the Indian Army that it always cares and reveres its Veterans.