Eleventh Gorkha Rifles
A commemorative postage stamp on the 50th Anniversary of 11th Gorkha Rifles (11 GR), an Indian Army infantry regiment :
Issued by India
Issued on Jan 2, 1998
Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a special commemorative stamp on the Golden Jubilee Eleventh Gorkha Rifles.
Credits :
Stamp, FDC and Cancellation : Golden Jubilee Cell, Gorkha Rifles Regiments Kendra.
Type : Stamp, Postal Used
Colour : Multicolour
Denomination : 400 Paise
Overall size : 4.06 x 2.73 Cms.
Printing size : 3.71 x 2.38 Cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Imported un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in Sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.
Stamps Printing : 0.7 Million
Number per issue sheet : 40
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printer : India Security Press, Nasik
About :
- In the annals of arms the Kirantis have a place of honour. To these Khukri wielding hill men soldiering comes almost natural. They are a class by themselves and have held their own in the Indian Army.
- The Eleventh Gorkha Rifles, is the first infantry and only Gorkha Regiment to have been raised post independence. Raised on 01 Jan. 1948 with two Battalions, the Regiment has grown to a six battalion group and one Territorial Army Battalion.
- During the 50 glorious years of its existence the Battalions have underlined their presence by taking active part in the major operations engaged in by our country such as in the 1948 operations, the Regiment participated in the forefront and thereafter did magnificent work during the swift police action in Hyderabad. During the 1965 operations the Battalions of the Regiment acquitted themselves well with exploits of valour.
- Once again during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, all Battalions took active part in some of the major and decisive battles. While the Battalions won theatre honours, the Second and the Fifth Battalions were awarded Battle Honours – Shingo River Valley and Bogra, respectively.
- The Regiment has excelled not only in the theatre of war, but also in counter-insurgency operations and as part of Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka. The First and Second Battalions have been awarded the Unit Citation by the Chief of the Army Staff in recognition of their service in counter-insurgency operations. They have been in the lead in adventure sports having had their men atop challenging peaks like Everest, Kamet, Noukun, Devban amongst other.
- The Regiment primarily recruits Rais and Limbus while Tamangs, Pradhans, Sunwars, Bhutias, Sherpas and other Gorkha tribes make up the balance. Their battle cry causes trepidation in the hearts of their foes and they have always risen to their motto “Nisswarth Kartavya” or “Selfless Service”.
- Text : Golden Jubilee Cell, Gorkha Rifles Regiments Kendra.
