The institution now is looking forward to claim ‘King’, another stallion from the Delhi police due to retire in few months.

Who says, life gets dull post retirement? At least not for Sikandar, the legendary stallion of the Delhi Police who leads a prestigious life here in Udaipur, after retiring from 17 glorious years of service.

He enthralls by his affection, skill and valor; the animal lovers especially children, who throng here in large number to see the majestic stud which has a record in participation and winning medals in ceremonial functions and events held in the national capital for years.

Sikander, the 20-year old stallion was one among the 53 mounts that formed the Delhi Police horse unit, officially known as the Mounted Police. Sikandar, who was inducted in the force when he was 3, retired early this year and upon the request made by B.N Sansthan, a higher education institution run by the descendants of the erstwhile noble family, has been given to Udaipur.

“In August 2014, I came to know from newspapers that two horses Sikander and Sonam were to retire from the Delhi mounted force by the end of the year. According to protocol, after turning 18, the horses retire from active service and are handed over to NGO’s working for animal welfare” said Dr Arun Zachariah, the retired Vice Principal of B.N Sansthan who was instrumental in getting the stud.

The teacher drafted a proposal to be sent to the Delhi police expressing willingness to upkeep both Sikander and Sonam post retirement at the riding academy of the institute.  “Our riding academy is a non profitable unit being run to teach horse riding to children in honor of Chetak, the loyal horse who laid down his life in the Haldi Ghati battle to save the life of Maharana Pratap. With 5 horses in our shed, we have all amenities to upkeep stallions and hence the executive committee readily agreed to the proposal which was sent last year” informed Dr Niranjan Narayan Singh Rathore, MD of the institution.

However, it was in January this year that the institution received a letter of consent from the Delhi police regarding Sikander’s handover. Sonam, the other horse had died in November last of brief illness. On January 20, the mounted police bid a tearful adieu to Sikander who was transported in a truck to Udaipur. He being a trained and sensible stud acclimatized with the new environment by striking a bonding with other stallions within no time. “Sikander who is trained for controlling huge crowds during rallies and processions has so loved that everyone is enamored” Dr Rathore said.

Considering his age, the stud is not much used in training but when other horses are not around, Sikander feels lonely and doesn’t listen unless is led out of the stable, said Manoj Singh, his handler.  Children are overjoyed when narrated his history and he enjoys their company, Singh said.

The institution now is looking forward to claim King, another stallion from the Delhi police due to retire in few months. “Maintaining horses is not an easy task for it is not only diet, they feed on love and care. Horses are the most sensible and loyal animals. Especially in Mewar, where we all have grown up hearing stories of the great Chetak, it is a matter of prestige and honor to have stallions like Sikander so that the young generation learn lessons,” Dr Rathore added.

Contributed by: Geetha Sunil Pillai