Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Dilip Ray urges the Honorable President of India to set up Kalinga Regiment in the Indian Army by writing a letter. A regiment in the name of ‘Kalinga’ will recognize the past glory of the State of Odisha.
He wrote- “The proposal is not new; it has, over the years, been voiced by public representatives, defence veterans, and civil society. It was also envisioned decades ago by the late Shri Biju Patnaik, a legendary Odia and one of India’s tallest nationalist leaders, who believed that Odisha’s martial legacy deserved formal recognition in the Armed Forces. The idea carries both emotional resonance and strategic relevance even today.”
He further added, “Kalinga, the ancient name of Odisha, is an enduring symbol of courage, sacrifice, and transformation in Indian history. From the Kalinga War that reshaped Emperor Ashoka’s destiny to the Paika Rebellion of 1817 — often regarded as one of India’s earliest organized resistance movements — Odisha has consistently demonstrated a strong martial tradition. In independent India as well, Odia soldiers have served with distinction across all ranks and formations. Yet, no regiment of the Army carries the legacy or name of Kalinga, despite Odisha’s historic and continuing contributions.”
“The Indian Army has a long-established tradition of regiments named after historic regions and communities — Assam, Punjab, Maratha, Dogra, Gorkha, Rajput, Kumaon, Nagaland and others. These regiments do not advance regionalism; rather, they celebrate India’s diversity within a unified military identity. A Kalinga Regiment would be no different — national in character, inclusive in recruitment, and rooted in a legacy that belongs to India as a whole, not to Odisha alone”, he added.
