Motto for the Regiment was first mooted at the Battalion Commanders’ Conference in 1948. The final move in the choice of a Motto came in 1955 from Lieutenant General SM Shrinagesh (Later General and COAS), the Colonel of the Regiment who wrote to Shri C Rajagopalachari, India’s elder statesman, the first and the last Indian Governor-General, inviting an idea. Shri C Rajagopalachari suggested the following from 35th verse of 3rd chapter of Bhagwad Gita :-

(Better in ones own dharma, though imperfect, than the dharma of another well performed. Better is death in ones own dharma, the dharma of another is fraught with fear)

While approving of it on 08 June 1955, Army Headquarters suggested that the English version of it be :-

“IT IS GLORY TO DIE DOING ONE’S DUTY”

The motto has inspired lakhs of veer madrassis to continue doing their duty. Thousands have embraced death in upholding the Regimental Motto. Their saga of valour symbolises the Regimental Motto.

Regimental War Cry

During the Battalion Commanders’ Conference in 1969, the War Cry of the Regiment was suggested by Brigadier (Later Major General) SP Mahadevan, AVSM, and Lieutenant Colonel JR Daniel, the then Deputy Commandant and was adopted at the same Conference by Lieutenant General RS Noronha, PVSM, MC*, the Colonel of the Madras Regiment as :-

“VEER MADRASSI, ADI KOLLU, ADI KOLLU, ADI KOLLU !”

Meaning

“O BRAVE MADRASSI, HIT AND KILL, HIT AND KILL, HIT AND KILL !”