One hundred and fortyfour valiant Gorkhas displayed an excellent show at the passing-out parade at 58 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC), Shillong. The parade was commanded by Rfn Bala Ram Gurung.

Col RS Langeh, Commandant reviewed the parade. In his address to the young Gorkhas, Col Langeh congratulated the newly attested soldiers and lauded their performance, turn out and drill and asked the young Gorkhas to be prudent, swift and brave while discharging their duties. He said that choosing the profession of a soldier is indeed a noble and demanding one where one can be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice for the honour of the nation, regiment and the unit itself.

The valiant Gorkhas took oath to defend and serve the motherland both in peace and war. Out of the total recruits attested, seventyeight joined 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) and sixtysix 8 Gorkha Rifles.

Besides other officers and families, the parade ground was overcrowded with parents, relatives and friends of the participants. The young Gorkhas passing out as soldiers under the traditional Khukri to the tune of Auld Lang Syne was the most spectacular part of the parade.

On completion of the tough training at 58 GTC the deserving young soldiers, were felicitated by the Commandant. Prize for best recruit went to Rfn Neelam Bucha Thapa 5 GR(FF) and Rfn Bala Ram Gurung (8 GR) respectively. The prizes for best in drill was bagged by Rfn Kamal Bahadur Sunar, best in physical fitness by Rfn Bhoj Bahadur Adhikari and best in sports by Rfn Subhash Limbu. Rfn Dil Kumar Rai and Rfn Manoj Kumar Thapa received the prize for the best firer.

It may be mentioned that 58 Gorkha Training Centre was amalgamated at Dehradun. Five Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) Centre moved from Abbotabad and 8 Gorkha Rifles Centre from Shillong. Later in February 1976, the Centre again moved to its present location (Shillong).

Both regiments get their stock of recruits mostly from central and western Nepal inhabited by Gurungs, Magars and Thapas and their sub casts as the main tribes. Presently 60 per cent are Nepal domiciled Gorkhas and 40 percent are Indian domiciled.

The battle honours earned
by the regiment itself speak volumes about its rich heritage. Both 5 GR (FF) and 8 GR have 49 and 56 battle honours to their credit respectively.

It was indeed a proud moment for Mrs Kuntimaya Pun of Ghurunga village, in Parbat district of Nepal to see her grandson Rfn Ghansyam Pun passing out under Khukri. Incidentally her husband Late Rfn Til Bahadur Pun and son Nk Min Bahadur Pun were Gorkha soldiers.

Like Mrs Kuntimaya, Sub Major Durga Singh Gurung too has a proud family of soldiers. "With the blessings of "Mahakali", I am here to witness the passing-out parade of my son Rfn Tej Bahadur Gurung, (a fifth generation Gorkha soldier)", says Sub
Major Durga Singh Gurung.
The regiment has many such proud families since ages to remain in history forever.