R-Day 2026: President Droupadi Murmu arrives at Kartavya Path with EU leaders

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday arrived arrived at at the Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy escorted by the Presidents Bodyguard Rashtrapati ke Angrakshak for the 77th Republic Day celebrationsShe was accompanied by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa who are the chief guests at this years Republic Day celebrationsPresident Droupadi Murmu stepped out of the Rashtrapati Bhavan with President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der LeyenShe arrived at the saluting base where she and the two foreign dignitaries were greeted by PM Narendra ModiThe Presidents Bodyguard regiment mounted on bay and dark bay horses is the seniormost in the Indian Army and the only one authorised to carry two standards presented by the President on November 16 2023 The motto and war cry of the regiment is BHARAT MATA KI JAIRiding alongside right the Presidents Buggy were Colonel Amit Berwal Commandant of the Presidents Bodyguard on his charger Meghdoot and Lieutenant Colonel Angad Singh Thind SecondinCommand riding Sultan left The buggy is being led by Naib Risaldar Jitender mounted on LongstrideThe Presidents Bodyguard is an Airborne Cavalry Regiment with a history of operational serviceSince Independence it has participated in Chushul 1962 Gadra Road 1965 Operation PAWAN in Sri Lanka 1988 and Operation VIJAY 1999Its troops have served with United Nations missions and for the past 32 years an annual detachment has been deployed at the Siachen Glacier The regiment also serves with the Rashtriya Rifles and mechanised formations in highaltitude areasThe ceremonial escort is organised into two divisions around the Presidents Buggy with the Nishaan Toli carrying the two Standards of the regimentThe National Flag the Presidents Standard and the Regimental Standard were all carried by designated officers and risaldarsThe front division is commanded by Risaldar Major Niranjan Ohlyan astride Vardaan Immediately behind the Presidents Buggy are the Trumpeters mounted on the grey steeds Alexander and Ace followed by the Nishaan ToliThe National Flag is carried by Major Harshvardhan Udawat astride Vijay the Presidents Standard is carried by Risaldar Omprakash astride Arihant while the Regimental Standard is borne by Risaldar Rajender Rathod astride AryanThe rear division is commanded by Risaldar Vinod Kumar mounted on ArjunThe winter uniform of the regiment includes blue and gold pagris red angrakhas with gold girdles white gloves breeches and black boots with spurs Officers and JCOs carry the Kirach a cavalry sword while the mounted bodyguards carry the Ballam a 9foot9inch handcrafted lance symbolising Apmaan se pehle Balidaan Blood over SurrenderAs part of the grand Republic Day celebrations the nation is accorded the highest military honour the 21 Gun Salute which was presented by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field RegimentThe ceremonial salute was commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat with Naib Subedar AIG Anutosh Sarkar performing the duties of the Gun Position OfficerThe 21 Gun Salute is a timehonoured tradition observed on Republic Day and Independence Day and during State visits of foreign Heads of State On this solemn occasion it stands as a powerful tribute to the National Flag symbolising the sovereignty unity and strength of the Republic of IndiaExecuted with flawless precision the salute is fired using 105 mm Light Field Guns an indigenously developed artillery weapon system deployed along the iconic Kartavya PathThe firing of the salute was meticulously synchronised with three defining ceremonial moments the unfurling of the National Flag the rendering of the National Anthem by the Services Bands and the National Salute by the Presidents BodyguardThe National Flag was unfurled with pride assisted by Indian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar symbolising the unwavering commitment discipline and valour of the Indian Air Force in the service of the nationThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever