In a significant military ceremony, Lieutenant General Johnson P Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) and outgoing Colonel of the Punjab Regiment, handed over the ceremonial baton of ‘Colonel of the Regiment’ to Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Central Command. The event took place at the 150 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Punjab, marking a momentous leadership transition within one of the Indian Army’s most storied regiments.
The ceremony, steeped in tradition, was attended by ex-Colonels of the Regiment, veterans, and serving personnel of the Punjab Regiment, reflecting the unit’s rich history and enduring legacy. The backdrop featured the Punjab Regiment’s insignia and a banner reading “The Punjab Regiment: Cor Baton Exchange – 05 Apr 2025,” symbolizing the formal transfer of the prestigious role.
Lt Gen Johnson P Mathew, who was commissioned into the Punjab Regiment on December 14, 1985, has had a distinguished career, serving as the General Officer Commanding Uttar Bharat Area before taking on the role of CISC. An alumnus of Sainik School, Kazhakootam, the National Defence Academy, and the Indian Military Academy, he is also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and the Army War College. His tenure as Colonel of the Regiment has been marked by a commitment to preserving the regiment’s traditions while fostering its operational excellence.
Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, who assumed the role of GOC-in-C Central Command on July 2, 2024, paid homage at the Central Command War Memorial ‘Smritika’ upon his arrival in Lucknow last year, where he also reviewed a ceremonial guard of honour. His appointment as Colonel of the Punjab Regiment further cements his leadership within the Indian Army, as he takes on this ceremonial role alongside his operational responsibilities.
The Punjab Regiment, one of the oldest infantry regiments in the Indian Army, traces its origins to 1705, with its early battalions raised during the Carnatic hostilities in South India between 1761 and 1776. Formed from the 2nd Punjab Regiment of the British Indian Army in 1947, it has since participated in numerous battles and wars, earning 22 Battle Honours, one Theatre Honour (Punjab), and several gallantry awards. The regiment’s 15 Punjab (formerly First Patiala) battalion celebrated 300 years of service in 2005, highlighting its deep-rooted legacy.
The baton exchange ceremony symbolizes not only the transfer of ceremonial leadership but also the Punjab Regiment’s commitment to its traditions, values, and operational readiness. The event underscored the regiment’s motto of being “Strong and Capable,” as it continues to honor its veterans and serving soldiers while looking ahead to future challenges.
The Punjab Regiment remains a cornerstone of the Indian Army, and this leadership transition reaffirms its role as a symbol of courage, honor, and unity in the nation’s defense forces.
