BEG wins acclaim for perfect marching skills

The ceremonial parade organised today at the BEG and Centre to felicitate the men marks 11 years of the honour coming to the BEG. They last won the trophy in1886 following which for almost a decade the Delhi Police walked home with it. The lone exception has been last year when the Border Security Force marched away with the distinction. Being judged best in 33 contingents with 12 from the Army and the rest from the Indian Navy, Air Force, Para Military Forces and Police, was the culmination of eight-hour practice sessions held over seven months with no break except a holiday for Diwali, as Suryavanshi modestly explains.

While it was apparent that a stipulated height requirement of 178 cm gave the contingent a height of what appeared to be a perfect six feet, it needed an Armyman to explain the major role played by the boot soles and the turbans in making every man a clone to the last millimeter. “We change shoe soles and the height of the turban to ensure that every soldier is of exactly the same height,” smiles Suryavanshi.

Since the men came from more than 26 different units and minor companies of the Bombay Engineers, through selections that started inFebruary 1997 with drill, posture, marching weapons and foot drill checks, the arduous training was essential to make their steps match and ensure the trophy. As a mark of recognition every soldier was promoted to Naik and every Naik to Lance Havaldar with a generous offer of one choice posting.