India’s military might & economic progress on full display at 72nd Republic Day celebrations

 

The parade was commanded by Lt. Gen. Vijay Kumar Mishra, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

Param Vir Chakra winners — Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers, and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles — and Ashok Chakra winner Lt. Col. D. Sreeram Kumar followed the Deputy Parade Commander on Jeeps.

The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy.

The Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice but, other than, in the face of the enemy.

A 122-member contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces — comprising soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy, and Air Warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force — led the contingent march on the Rajpath.

The Bangladesh contingent carried the legacy of legendary Mukti Joddhas of Bangladesh, who fought against oppression and mass atrocities and liberated Bangladesh in 1971.

The first domestic contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers will be 61 Cavalry — led by Captain Deepanshu Sheoran.

The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world.. It was raised on 1 August 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces’ cavalry units..

The Indian Army was also represented by seven mechanised columns, six marching contingents, and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters of the Army Aviation.

The T-90 Bhishma — indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, Infantry Combat Vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate (B.M.P-2), Brahmos Weapon System, the Pinaka Multi Launcher Rocket System, T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks, Samvijay Electronic Warfare System, and Schilka Weapon system were the main attractions in the mechanised columns.

The other marching contingents of the Army included the Jat Regiment, the Garhwal Regiment, the Mahar Regiment, the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment, the Bengal Sappers and the Territorial Army.

The Combined Band of the Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre, Para Regimental Centre and JAT Regimental Centre, Sikh Regimental Centre, Assam Regimental Centre, Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regimental Centre, Sikh Light Infantry Regimental Centre, Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre and Artillery Centre–Nasik Road also marched past the saluting dais.

The Naval contingent comprised 96 sailors and Four officers.

The Air Force contingent comprised 96 Airmen and Four officers.

The Indian Coast Guard contingent took part in the parade, too. The Indian Coast Guard keeps the country’s maritime frontiers safe and secure.

The contingents of Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Delhi Police, Border Security Force Camel Contingent, and National Security Guard — popularly known as the Black Cat Commandoes — also marched past the saluting dais.

The National Cadet Corps Boys Marching contingent and Girls contingent, besides the National Service Scheme contingent comprising a hundred volunteers took part in the parade.

India’s military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress were on display during the 72nd Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Rajpath in New Delhi.