NAMASKARAM as a form of salutation was first used by 4 MADRAS (WLI) in 1956 when the Battalion was stationed at Nahan. At that time, Lt Col D Viegas (Later Brig) was the Commanding Officer who had previously served with Rajputana Rifles, where the salutation followed was ‘Ram Ram’. He had also found other regiments using their own unique form of salutation, for example ‘Ram Ram’, ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Sat Sri Akal’ etc. He formed a small committee presided over by Captain SL Malhotra, the Adjutant, (later Lieutenant General and Colonel of the Regiment) and six JCOs as members to decide on a form of salutation which would be unique to the battalion.

After detailed deliberations, the word ‘Namaskaram’ was contrived by the committee. Thus ‘Namaskaram’ as a form of salutation was introduced in 4 MADRAS (WLI). Later on, this form of salutation was adopted by all the battalions of the regiment and today ‘Namaskaram’ is the standard form of salutation in the Madras Regiment.