With the famed band of the Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) in attendance and the top brass of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and the MRC rubbing shoulders with tourists and locals from different walks of life, it was an interesting day for many at the high altitude race course here on the Sunday.
The occasion was the 12th day of the Madras Race Club’s racing season that featured among other events the race for the Madras Regimental Centre Challenge Trophy, the race for the Defence Services Staff College Cup, and the Nilgiris Derby Stakes race.
Intermittent showers notwithstanding, the large number of people who thronged the course stayed put as apart from the races a lucky prize draw had been organised by the club to make the occasion memorable.
While the DSSC cup was given away by the Commandant, DSSC, Lt.Gen.S.K. Gadeock, the MRC Cup was handed over by the Commandant, MRC Brigadier S. Suresh Kumar.
Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the meet, Lt.Gen. Gadeock observed that the beauty of the race course extending over 55 acres can be enhanced if its unused portions are converted into gardens. He assured that its potential would be taken up with the authorities concerned.
Adverting to horses and equestrian sports, he said that they helped promote leadership qualities and love for animals. Pointing out that the DSSC is for close coordination with the civilian authorities and prominent people in other sectors like education for the development of the Nilgiris, he said that its focus was on protection of the environment. In tune with this, efforts were on to increase the tree cover in the college.
