The Skull & Daggar SAGA
By
Brig S K Thapa, Retd
An emblem or a Iogo is a visual symbol that represents your business; in our case, kicking the enemy’s ass. Combined with an apt motto, it gives a powerful symbolic association about the outfit and its achievements. With our glorious pedigree and heritage, this was exactly what we needed an instantly recognizable emblem that also represented the essence of our Paltan.
This need for the Paltan’s unique signature emblem was felt earlier, way back in 1983/84 when the unit fielded its team for the NC Himalayan Mountain Rally. Of course, the rally and it.,outcome is a separate Chapter by itself, but it did give rise to the urgent need for an unofficial unit signature.
And then came Alice. Who the hellis Alice? the ignorant may ask. The musically aware may mumble ‘Smokie’. But if you are aware of the story behind who exactly was Alice in this case, you would know the root inception for thc skull emblem, which has now become the semi-official emblem of the Paltan.
Now on to the saga of the Skull Dagger emblem. How it came into existence is as interesting as the emblem itself. At the outset the idea must be dedicated to quite an extent to the Offrs Mess subscription of a magazine called ‘Soldier of Fortune’ and ‘The Parachutist’. In those days these were magazine which due their cost, even the NC Central library could not be convinced to include amongst their periodicals.
Add to that the unofficial insignia of our sister / brother Bns.- the dreaded desert Scorpion, and the impressive Bear with its ferocious blood smeared claws jaws, the requirement of a parallel and appropriate insignia of our own was inevitable.
Then of course is the rule played by my brother Panks (Pankaj) who had initially sketched the flaming Skull Dagger as a birthday card for mc. The original design had a flaming skull in a maroon beret from which horns protruded while the bared teeth clenched a dagger. The entire contraption rested on a base that spelt NINE in bold capital letter”. Pretty dramatic, but effective.
