Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, visited the historic Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre (MLIRC) in Belagavi today, reinforcing the Indian Army’s commitment to modernizing military training and embracing innovation. The visit placed special emphasis on the evolving Agniveer training ecosystem and its alignment with the Army’s “Decade of Transformation” roadmap.
During his inspection, Lt Gen Seth reviewed infrastructure developments and observed the rigorous training activities undertaken by Agniveers—the short-service recruits under the new transformative manpower scheme. Addressing the trainees, he stressed the importance of adaptability, resilience, and technological proficiency to meet modern combat demands. He lauded the Centre’s upgraded training environment and encouraged recruits to internalize professionalism and discipline as foundational attributes of a future-ready soldier.
The visit comes amid a wider push across the armed forces for indigenization and capability enhancement. According to Ministry of Defence data, the Army’s procurement through the Government-e-Marketplace (GeM) platform surged dramatically—from Rs 21 crore in 2017 to over Rs 15,433 crore in 2023–24—marking a significant step in realizing the vision of self-reliant defence under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. A RAND Corporation study in further highlighted the importance of AI and tech-based military readiness, a direction that the Army is increasingly embracing.
Lt Gen Seth also interacted with retired veterans and honoured several distinguished ex-servicemen from the region. He acknowledged the vital role of veterans in inspiring younger generations and strengthening regimental spirit. The Maratha Light Infantry, founded in 1800, carries a rich legacy of service and sacrifice, including notable achievements such as the 114th Mahrattas’ gallantry in the 1918 Battle of Sharqat, where the unit earned 28 awards.
The Southern Command’s top officer reaffirmed that such visits help shape training strategies and encourage innovation at the grassroots level. With initiatives like the Agniveer scheme and focused infrastructure enhancement, the Army continues to align its goals with the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047—building a professional, agile, and technologically empowered force for tomorrow’s challenges.
