Why does CDS General Bipin Rawat always wear ‘Sikkim Scouts’ tab?

Gangtok: Ex-Army chief General Bipin Rawat was recently appointed as the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), but not many people know that he always wears a ‘Sikkim Scouts’ tab.

Sikkim Scouts is affiliated with the 11th Gorkha Rifles, and uses its insignia and flag, with the addition of the words ‘Sikkim Scouts’. They also share the same regimental centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

General Rawat who is from the Gorkha rifles was the Colonel of the Regiment for 11 Gorkha Rifles and Sikkim Scouts, which is an honorary designation given to a general ranking officer. So, even though he was not a part of Sikkim Scouts, being the Colonel of the Regiment, he wears the Sikkim Scouts tab.