The Aryavarth Express New Delhi [India]: President Droupadi Murmu arrived at Kartavya Path on Monday in a ceremonial buggy, escorted by the President’s Bodyguard (Rashtrapati ke Angrakshak), marking the commencement of the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
The President was accompanied by the Chief Guests for this year’s Republic Day—President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luís Santos da Costa. The dignitaries departed from Rashtrapati Bhavan together and were received at the saluting base by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The President’s Bodyguard (PBG), the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army, provided the ceremonial escort. Mounted on bay and dark bay horses, the regiment is the only unit authorised to carry two standards, which were presented by the President on November 16, 2023. The regiment’s motto and war cry is “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
Riding alongside the President’s buggy were Colonel Amit Berwal, Commandant of the PBG, on his charger Meghdoot, and Lieutenant Colonel Angad Singh Thind, Second-in-Command, on Sultan. The buggy was led by Naib Risaldar Jitender, mounted on Longstride.
An airborne cavalry regiment, the President’s Bodyguard has a distinguished operational history, having participated in operations including Chushul (1962), Gadra Road (1965), Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka (1988), and Operation Vijay (1999). Its personnel have also served in United Nations missions and have been deployed annually at the Siachen Glacier for the past 32 years. The regiment continues to serve with the Rashtriya Rifles and mechanised formations in high-altitude areas.
The ceremonial escort was organised into two divisions around the President’s buggy, with the Nishaan Toli carrying the regiment’s two standards. The front division was commanded by Risaldar Major Niranjan Ohlyan, mounted on Vardaan. Immediately behind the President’s buggy were the trumpeters on Alexander and Ace, followed by the Nishaan Toli. The National Flag was carried by Major Harshvardhan Udawat on Vijay, the President’s Standard by Risaldar Omprakash on Arihant, and the Regimental Standard by Risaldar Rajender Rathod on Aryan. The rear division was commanded by Risaldar Vinod Kumar, mounted on Arjun.
The regiment wore its traditional winter ceremonial uniform comprising blue and gold pagris, red angrakhas with gold girdles, white gloves, breeches, and black boots with spurs. Officers and JCOs carried the Kirach (cavalry sword), while mounted bodyguards carried the Ballam, a 9-foot-9-inch handcrafted lance symbolising “Apmaan se pehle Balidaan” (Blood over Surrender).
As part of the celebrations, the nation was accorded the highest military honour with a 21-Gun Salute, presented by the 1,721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment. The salute was commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, with Naib Subedar (AIG) Anutosh Sarkar serving as the Gun Position Officer.
The salute, fired using indigenously developed 105 mm Light Field Guns, was precisely synchronised with the unfurling of the National Flag, the playing of the National Anthem by the Services Bands, and the National Salute by the President’s Bodyguard.
The National Flag was unfurled with pride, assisted by Indian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar, symbolising the discipline, valour, and unwavering commitment of the Indian Air Force to the nation.
