BEG celebrates 208th Foundation Day

The Bengal Engineering Group (BEG) & Centre, one of the oldest and the bravest army units of the country, celebrated its 208th foundation day. The vast sprawling cantonment area wore a festive look in keeping with the dignity of foundation day celebrations, which continued for four days, bringing alive the centuries old saga of valour and sacrifice.

The BEG and Centre, popularly known as Bengal Sappers, had its genesis in the Pioneers raised by Captain Wood in Nov., 1803 at Kanpur. The unit which passed through a chequered career, is a living legend of bravery and heroic sacrifices, with dozens of feathers in its cap, including the Victoria Crosses. The awards make up the highest number won by any single organization in the country. A large number of serving and retired officials and jawans of the unit gathered on the occasion. The culminating point of the celebrations reached on the last day with an highly impressive ceremonial parade. Army commander of the central command, Lt. General V.K. Ahluwalia took the salute of the parade which was commanded by Brigadier D.S. Ahuja, the commandant of the BEG and Centre Roorkee. The ceremonial parade comprised of 14 officers, 29 junior commissioned officers and 520 jawans.

The chief guest, Lt. General V.K. Ahluwalia recalled the laurels won by the Bengal Sappers during the last 208 years of its existence, ranging from the storming of the Kabul Gate of the Ghujnee fort in 1839 during the Afghan war to the heroic sacrifices of the martyrs, veterans and serving sappers in the wars of 1947-48, 1965, 1971 and the Kargil war. “The achievements of the BEG and Centre during times of peace are no less renowned than those during war. It won accolades by constructing the Upper Ganga Canal, building roads and bridges at high altitudes and difficult terrain and undertaking management of calamities and disasters in difficult periods,” said the Lt. General. He exhorted the officials and the jawans of the unit to uphold the glorious traditions set up so assiduously by their predecessors.