Excitement was in the air at Shanghumugham on Saturday evening as well-trained men of the 7 Battalion of the Madras Regiment showed their acrobatic skills on speeding motorcycles as part of its 50 Raising Day celebrations.
A team of motorcycle riders of the regiment performed several thrilling acts on their bikes, which included ten men close formations on four bikes and climbing ladders on moving bikes, watched by an enthusiastic crowd lined up on the beach sides. Also as part of the celebrations, there was a display by the military band and a kalaripayattu performance.
The battalion was raised as an additional battalion of the Madras Regiment at Vellore in 1798.
It became 2/14 Madras Native Infantry and thereafter underwent a number of changes in its name such as 28 Madras Native Infantry, 28 Madras Infantry, 88 Carnatic Infantry in 1903 and finally 7 Madras Regiment in 1943.
