Srinagar

At a colourful parade held at their regimental center at Awantipora, Kashmir, 514 Army jawans from Kahmir and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, today joined the Army's Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI).

Inspection of the Parade

The parade sees soldiers taking oath on their respetive religious books as a Hindu Panditji with Bhagwad Gita, a Moulvi with the Holy Quran, a Ganthi holding Guru Granth sahib and a Buddhist pritest hold his religious text book Tripitaka pass in front of the rows of jawans in a formal parade.

Marching for the Nation

The jawans of this regiment come from Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh region's different cultural and linguistic groups. JAK LI is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army.

Sarva dharma sambahava: A Panditji, A Moulvi, A Granthi and a Buddhist priest moving holding their religious books on the soldiers to take pledge to defend their motherland till their lst breath

This year due to Covid pandemic, the parents of the jawans were not allowed to attend the passing out parade (POP) of their young sons.

Jawans pnning apauletts on each others  dress

Otherwise it's usually a big festivity in Kashmir on this day.

(Pictures by Basit Zargar)