To celebrate the spirit of India, the annual event Bharat Parv is being organised in Delhi this year too. Special Secretary & Financial Adviser of Ministry of Tourism Shri Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi will inaugurate the Bharat Parv tomorrow at Red fort ground in New Delhi. Bharat  Parv,  2020  is  being  celebrated  from  26th to 31st  January, 2020   in  front  of  Red  Fort  at  Gyan  Path  and  Red Fort grounds. The  objective of  Bharat Parv  is  to  encourage  Indians  to visit  different  tourism  places  of  India and to inculcate  the spirit  of  ‘Dekho  Apna  Desh’.

The  Central theme  of  this  year’s  Bharat  Parv  is   ‘Ek  Bharat  Shreshtha  Bharat’ and  ‘Celebrating  150 Years of  Mahatma Gandhi’. Bharat Parv will be open for the General Public on 26th January, at 5.00 PM till 10.00 PM.  On the remaining days 27^th to 31^st January, 2020 the Bharat  Parv would   be  open  from  12.00 Hrs  till  10.00 PM.

Bharat Parv have many attractions for public like display of Tableaux of the Republic Day parade, performance by armed forces bands, tourism theme pavilion by State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations and line Ministries, handicraft & Handloom Stalls by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, Commission Handloom / Handicrafts / TRIFED, food Court by State Governments, Institutes of Hotel Management and other organizations, cultural Performances by North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC) and State Governments / UT Administrations and cookery  demonstrations  by  State Governments  and Institute of  Hotel  Management.

Entry to the Bharat Parv  is  free though  the  visitors  will  have to show  their  identity proof  for  entering  the Parv.

*****

NB/AKJ/OA

On the occasion of Republic Day 2020, the Hon’ble President of India has awarded Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), President’s Police Medal (PPM) for Distinguished Services and Police Medal (PM) for Meritorious Services to the following Railway Protection Force (RPF)/ Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel:

Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG):

1. Late Shri Jagbir Singh Rana, Constable/ Northern Railway (posthumously)

 

President’s Police Medal (PPM) for Distinguished Service

 

1. Shri Ambika Nath Mishra, Principal Chief Security Commissioner/Eastern Railway,
2. Shri Bharat Singh Meena, Commandant, 8 BN/RPSF.

 

Police Medal (PM) for Meritorious Service

 

1. Shri Yugal Kishore Joshi, DIG/RPF,
2. Shri Anil Kumar Sharma, Assistant Commandant/ RPSF,
3. Shri P. P. Joy, Assistant Security Commissioner/ Konkan Railway,
4. Shri Deep Chandra Arya, Assistant Security Commissioner/ Northern Railway,
5. Shri T. Chandrasekhar Reddy, Inspector/South Central Railway,
6. Shri K. Chakravarthi, Inspector/ South Central Railway,
7. Shri Satish Ingle, Head Constable/ South East Central Railway,
8. Shri Deo Kumar Gond, Sub-Inspector/Konkan Railway,
9. Shri G. S. Vijaykumar, Sub-Inspector/ Central Railway,
10. Shri D. Balasubrahmanyam, Sub-Inspector/Training Centre, Moula Ali,
11. Shri Mahfajul Haque, Inspector/4 BN RPSF,
12. Shri Darshan Lal, Sub-Inspector/ 6 BN RPSF,
13. Shri Nemee Chand Saini, Assistant Sub-Inspector/North Western Railway,
14. Shri Alok Kumar Chatterjee, Assistant Sub-Inspector/Eastern Railway,
15. Shri Ashok Kumar Yadav, Inspector/Western Railway.

 

***

SG/AP

The Union Minister for Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi chaired review meeting of mineral exploration projects and activities of Rajasthan in New Delhi today. Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal was present in the meeting.  Senior representatives of Geological Survey of India (GSI), NLC India Limited and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) made presentations on the exploration related activities undertaken by them in Rajasthan.

 

The Mines Minister also took stock of the issues of the organizations related to exploration of minerals including Potash and Lignite in Rajasthan. He asked the representatives to expedite the projects in Rajasthan and directed them to take up the matter  with State Government.

 

Senior officials of the Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Coal including Dr. K. Rajeswara Rao, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Sh. Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal were also present.

 

****

104 personnel have been awarded Fire Service Medals on the occasion of the Republic Day this year. Of these, President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry have been awarded to 13 personnel, Fire Service Medal for Gallantry have been awarded to 29 personnel, President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service to 12 personnel and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to 50 personnel.

49 personnel have also been awarded Home Guard & Civil Defence Medals on the occasion of the Republic Day this year. Of these, President’s HG & CD Medal for Distinguished Service have been awarded to 02 personnel and Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service to 47 personnel.

The list of Fire Service Medals and Home Guards & Civil Defence Medals awardees are enclosed as Annexure. 

ANNEXURE

FIRE SERVICE MEDALS AWARDED TO FIRE SERVICE PERSONNEL ON THE OCCASION OF REPUBLIC DAY, 2020 AS PER THE FOLLOWING DETAILS

President’s Fire Service Medal For Gallantry
	Delhi
1	Sh. Avtar Singh Asst. Divisional Officer
2	Sh. Vijender Pal Singh Fireman
	Karnataka
1	Sh. Ravishanker Hiriyannagowda Javagal Deputy Director
2	Sh. Naveen Malappa Pavaadi Fireman
3	Sh. Ashoka Kenchappa Vader Fireman
4	Sh. Siddappa Ramappa Uppaar Fireman Driver
5	Sh. Dharanesh Govindaiah Honnenahalli Fireman
	Uttar Pradesh
1	Sh. Sunil Kumar Singh Chief Fire Officer
2	Sh. Shrinarayan Singh Fire Station Officer
3	Sh. Sachin Saini Fireman
4	Sh. Jogendra Singh Fireman
5	Sh. Piyush Kumar Fireman
6	Sh. Yogendra Chaurasia Fire Station Officer
	Fire Service Medal For Gallantry
	Delhi
1	Sh. Anil Kumar Fireman
2	Sh. Ram Kumar Fire Operator
3	Sh. Arvind Dagar Fire Operator
	Maharashtra
1	Sh. Prabhat Surajlal Rahangdale Chief Fire Officer
2	Sh. Rajendra Abhaychandra Chaudhary Dy. Chief Officer
3	Sh. Ravindra Narayanrao Ambulgekar Divisional Fire Officer
4	Sh. Milind Namdeo Donde A.D.F.O.
5	Sh. Abhijit Gangaram Sawant Station Officer
6	Sh. Sudhir Ramesh Vartak Driver Operator
7	Sh. Dilip Mahadev Palav Dy. Chief Fire Officer
	Tamil Nadu
1	Sh. Sivakumar Pandiyarajan Station Officer
2	Sh. Mohan Sekar Fireman
3	Sh. Govindasamy Appavu Leading Fireman
4	Sh. Sathishkumar Palanisamy Fireman Driver
5	Sh. Durairaj Chinnusamy Fireman
	Uttar Pradesh
1	Sh. Ravindra Shankar Misra Chief Fire Officer
2	Sh. Ram Kumar Rawat Fire Service Officer
3	Sh. Dharmendra Kumar Mishra Fireman
4	Sh. Surya Pratap Singh Driver
5	Sh. Arun Kumar Singh Chief Fire Officer
6	Sh. Mamchand Bargujar Fire Station Officer
7	Sh. Rameshwar Leading Fireman
8	Sh. Satendra Kumar Bhati Fire Service Driver
9	Sh. Mahender Pratap Singh Chief Fire Officer
10	Sh. Siddh Nath Singh Leading Fireman
11	Sh. Sudesh Kumar Babu Fire Service Driver
12	Sh. Dharmendra Kanojia Fireman
13	Sh. Vishwa Pratap Singh Fireman
14	Sh. Sushil Kumar Fire Station Officer
	President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service
	Delhi
1	Sh. Atul Garg Chief Fire Officer
2	Sh. Virendra Singh Dy. Chief Fire Officer
	Kerala
1	Sh. D. Balaram Babu Asst. Station Officer
2	Sh. Sree Kishore. P.S. Asst. Station Officer
	Odisha
1	Sh. Parsuram Barik Station Officer
2	Sh. Rabinarayan Behera Leading Fireman
	Uttar Pradesh
1	Sh. Nagendra Prasad Dwivedi Fire Service Second Officer
2	Sh. Jitendra Pratap Pandey Leading Fireman
	Uttarakhand
1	Sh. Anil Kumar Tyagi Fire Station Second Officer
	CISF, MHA
1	Sh. Rashpal Dass Asst. Sub Inspector (Fire)
2	Sh. Darmiyan Singh Asst. Sub Inspector (Fire)
3	Sh. A. Narayanan Asst. Sub Inspector (Fire)
	Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service
	Andaman & Nicobar
1	Sh. Suk Charan Mondal Head Constable
	Andhra Pradesh
1	Sh. Chintada Krupavaram District Fire Officer
2	Sh. B. Veerabhadra Rao Asst. District Fire Officer
	Bihar
1	Sh. Rajdev Prasad Sub-Officer
	Chhatisgarh
1	Sh. Shyam Sunder Yadav Fire Driver
	Dadra & Nagar Haveli
1	Sh. Prataprao Krishnrao Chauhan Sub-Officer
	Delhi
1	Sh. Debabrata  Mukherjee Divisional Officer
2	Sh. Rajinder Atwal Divisional Officer
3	Sh. Ashok Kumar Jaiswal Asst. Divisional Officer
4	Sh. Dhrambir Singh Fireman
	Goa
1	Sh. Dnyaneshwar S. Sawant Sub-Officer
	Himachal Pradesh
1	Sh. Sanjeev Kumar Sippy Station Fire Officer
2	Sh. Sudhakar Prasad Leading Fireman
	Karnataka
1	Sh. Mahesh  Renukaradhya Regional Fire Officer
2	Sh. M. Gopal Asst. Fire Station Officer
3	Sh. Kurubaru Revanna Siddappa Leading Fireman
4	Sh. Moidu Kunhi Kuntapadavu Fireman
	Kerala
1	Sh. Ajithkumar. P. Station Officer
2	Sh. Ayoob Ghan. A.V. Leading Fireman
	Maharashtra
1	Sh. Vithalrao Kailash Hiwrale Dy. Chief Fire Officer
2	Sh. Vijaykumar Narsingh Panigrahi Dy. Chief Fire Officer
3	Sh. Yeshwant Ramchandra Jadhav Dy. Chief Fire Officer
	Meghalaya
1	Sh. Aljwin Rani Leading Fireman
2	Sh. Anith Marak Leading Fireman
	Nagaland
1	Sh. T. Shilu Jamir Dy. SP (F&Es)
	Odisha
1	Sh. Anup Kumar Das Station Officer
2	Sh. Ajay Kumar Parija Station Officer
3	Sh. Malaya Kumar Mohanty Leading Fireman
4	Sh. Suryamani  Rout Driver Havildar
	Sikkim
1	Sh. Dilip Kumar  Darnal Asst. Sub Fire Officer/Driver
	Tamil Nadu
1	Sh. Syed Mohamed Shah Syed  Yusuff District Officer
2	Sh. Panneer Selvam Rajappa Mudaliyar Station Officer
3	Sh. Sagayaraj Raju Fireman
4	Sh. Murugesan Arumugam Fireman
	Telangana
1	Sh. Raj Kumar Janagama Station Fire Officer
2	Sh. Bhaskar Rao Kamatala Fireman
	Tripura
1	Sh. Aniruddha Dey Fireman
	Uttar Pradesh
1	Sh. Matlub Hussain Fire Station Officer
2	Sh. Ainuddin Khan Leading Fireman
3	Sh. Harigyan Singh Tomar Fire Service Driver
	Uttarakhand
1	Sh. Sunil Kumar Singh Fire Service Driver
2	Sh. Rakesh Kumar Leading Fireman
	West Bengal
1	Sh. Gopal Chandra Chatterjee Station Officer
2	Sh. Dipankar Das Sub-Officer
3	Sh. Pratip Kumar Bose Fire Operator
	CISF, MHA
1	Sh. Damodar Jayawant Thakur Asst. Sub Inspector (Fire)
2	Sh. Mahendra Kumar Sharma Head Constable (Fire)
	M/O Pet. & Natural Gas
1	Sh. Karan Vir Singh General Manager ( Fire & Safety), HPCL
2	Sh. Dipen Gayan Operator-II (Fire Engine), OIL
	M/O Defence
1	Sh. Surendra Manohar Ghag Leading Hand Naval Dockyard, Mumbai

HOME GUARDS AND CIVIL DEFENCE MEDALS AWARDED TO HG & CD PERSONNEL ON THE OCCASION OF REPUBLIC DAY 2020 AS PER THE FOLLOWING DETAILS

President’s Home Guards & Civil Defence Medal For Distinguished  Service
Goa
1	Shri John Carlos Aguiar Honorary Company Commander (HG)
Odisha
1	Shri Barun Kumar Mitra Company Commander(HG)
Home Guards & Civil Defence Medal For Meritorious Service
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
1	Smt. J. Girija Kumari HG(R)/140
2	Shri  T. Raveendran HG(R)/246
3	Shri  C. Velu Samy HG(R)/41
Assam
1	Shri Simanta Sarmah Assistant Deputy Controller (Sr)Civil Defence
2	Shri Mathur Mohan Kalita Constable(HG)
3	Shri Bhupen Hazarika Home Guard Volunteer
4	Shri Dhiren Chandra Deka Havilder(HG)
Bihar
1	Shri Parag Kumar Sinha Company Commandar(HG)
2	Shri Ajit Kumar Upadhyay Company Commandar (HG)
3	Shri Arun Pandey Home Guard
Chandigarh
1	Shri Baldev Raj Honorary Platoon Commander (HG)
2	Shri Inderpal Singh Home Guard Volunteer
Chhattisgarh
1	Shri Shiv Kumar Kathutiya District Commandant (HG)
2	Shri Balram Dhruw Home Guard Sainik
Goa
1	Shri Raulu Dataram Gawas Honorary Section Leader (HG)
2	Shri Santan Francis Dias Home Guard Volunteer
Gujarat
1	Shri Jagjivanbhai Jethabhai Makwana Section Leader (HG)
2	Shri Jashvantsinh Muljibhai Gadhavi Company Commander (HG)
3	Smt. Nimisha Rameshchandra Patel Platoon Sergent (HG)
4	Shri Jayram Karshanbhai Desai Sub-Inspector Instructor (HG)
5	Shri Pravinkumar Bhupatbhai Bhatt Sub-Inspector Instructor (HG)
6	Shri Haribhai Narsinhbhai Parmar Sub-Inspector Instructor (HG)
7	Shri Vibhakar Natvarlal Antani Leader (CD)
Himachal Pradesh
1	Shri Hari Swaroop Sharma Commandant (HG)
2	Shri Luder Mani Company Commander (HG)
3	Smt. Urmila Devi Platoon Commander (HG)
4	Shri Chet Ram Home Guard
Karnataka
1	Shri S. Murugeshan Unit Officer (HG)
2	Shri K. Rajapeer Platoon Commander (HG)
3	Shri Hanumantaraya Iranna Ilager Company Sergeant Major  (HG)
4	Dr. B. H. Veerappa Commandant (HG)
5	Shri Imtiyaz Allabakash Kamdod Driver (HG)
6	Shri HullanasaTulajanasaTulasikatti Platoon Sergeant (HG)
7	Shri Nambur Panduranga Nagendra Babu Divisional Warden (CD)
Meghalaya
1	Shri Newstarland Wanniang Havildar (HG)
Odisha
1	Shri Sidharth Sankar Pati Home Guard-225
2	Shri Khiroj Kumar Das Civil Defence Volunteer
3	Shri Bauri Bandhu Bej Civil Defence Volunteer
Tamil Nadu
1	Shri Kannan Ravi Company Commander (HG)
2	Shri J. Lesly Company Commander (HG)
3	Shri Jayaraman Sugumar Area Commander (HG)
Tripura
1	Shri Subal Ranjan Datta Home Guard Volunteer
2	Smt. Uma Laxmi Debbarma Women Home Guard Volunteer
Uttar Pradesh
1	Shri Ramesh Singh Leading Fireman (CD)
Uttarakhand
1	Smt. Hema Karki Paid Inspector (HG)
2	Shri Satish Agarwal Chief Warden (CD)
3	Shri Rajesh Kumar Sonker Wireless Operator (CD)

*****

Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year. This year the President has approved conferment of 141 Padma Awards including 4 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. The list comprises of 7 Padma Vibhushan, 16 Padma Bhushan and 118 Padma Shri Awards. 33 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 18 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 12 Posthumous awardees.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare held a high level review meeting with senior officers of the Health Ministry, ICMR and NCDC, here today, to analyse the current situation, preparedness and steps being taken for prevention and management of Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) in India. “The situation is being closely monitored at the highest level for adequate preparedness. All the officials of my Ministry, concerned departments and States/UTs have been put on high alert for Novel Coronavirus. We are taking all required possible precautions to manage all possible scenarios”, Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated.

The Union Health Minister is personally reviewing and monitoring the preparedness on a daily basis. He is also in regular contact with Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO SEARO for technical support and guidance in the matter.

Dr Harsh Vardhan has spoken to Chief Minister of Uttarakhand today and assured all support for screening at the border with Nepal, where a confirmed nCoV case has been reported.  He is also writing to the Chief Ministers of States requesting for their personal intervention to review the State preparedness for control and management of nCoV.

The Union Health Minister has directed for multidisciplinary central teams to be formed and sent to the seven states where thermal screening is being done at the seven designated airports (New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi). The central team shall consist of a public health expert, a clinician and a microbiologist. The teams shall reach the respective states tomorrow. They shall review the end-to-end preparedness for management and control of nCoV in the states including that at the airports, for thermal screening and transferring of patients to hospitals for isolation, and shall also visit the tertiary hospitals attached to the airports for reviewing the isolation wards and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and masks etc. They shall also review whether the infection control, surveillance and other guidelines are being followed. The teams shall coordinate with the State Health Secretaries to explore all avenues for further supporting and strengthening the states’ preparedness.

Under directions by Dr Harsh Vardhan, a 24×7 NCDC Call Centre (+91-11-23978046) has been made operational. The said Call Centre will monitor the list of contacts furnished by MEA; provide details of district and state surveillance officers to those who seek them; and in case of any clinical query, direct the concerned to the relevant Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) officer. The Union Health Minister has urged the passengers who have a travel history to China since 1^st January 2020 to come forward for self-reporting to the nearest health facility if they experience any symptoms such as fever, cough, respiratory distress etc., and also inform their treating doctor.

Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that no nCoV case has been detected in the country so far. However, eleven (11) persons have been put under observation; out of samples taken from these 11 individuals, samples of four passengers have been confirmed to be negative for nCoV by the ICMR-NIV Pune lab. He added that timely measures and promptness of the officials of Union Health Ministry has resulted into vigilant actions. He also commended the media for creating awareness among the people.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that various steps have been taken up and continual efforts are being made by Health Ministry in close coordination with Ministry of Civil Aviation, MEA, State Governments and WHO. Close monitoring is being undertaken for all the passengers who are arriving from China and Hong Kong across 7 International Airports in India. All the passengers are undergoing thermal screening. Travel advisory/signages has been extended to 12 more airports in addition to the current seven. Advisory has also been issued to all States/UTs for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) surveillance to pick up any travel related case reported in the community and follow up contacts of suspect/confirmed cases. He added that the Ministry has issued guidelines for Surveillance and Contact Tracing; Infection Control; Lab Sample Testing and Clinical Care.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan added that National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune is fully geared up to test samples of nCoV. Ten other laboratories under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s Viral Research and Diagnostics Laboratories (VRDL) network are also equipped to test such samples, if a need arises. Adequate stock of PPE is being maintained by Medical Stores Organization for airports, hospitals and laboratory use.

****

MV

India’s military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress will be on display during the 71^st Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Rajpath, here tomorrow. Anti-satellite weapon – Mission Shakthi developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Army’s battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicles, Air Forces’ newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters, in addition to tableaux depicting Akash and Astra missiles and Navy’s prowess will be showcased during the 90-minute long parade. Twenty tableaux – 16 from States and Union Territories and six from various Ministries/Departments depicting the nation’s rich cultural heritage and economic progress will roll down the Rajpath.School children will convey age old message of yoga and spiritual values through dance and music and Indian Air Force aircraft will thunder in the sky projecting the air power.

President Shri Ram Nath Kovind will host this year’s chief guest President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Mr Jair MessiasBolsonaro. The 38th President of Brazil, President Bolsonaro assumed office on January 01, 2019. Under his leadership, Brazil has successfully completed the pro-tempore presidency of the association of five major emerging national economies known as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

The relations between India and Brazil are based on a common global vision, shared democratic values and a commitment to foster inclusive economic growth for the welfare of the people of both countries. Brazil was the first Latin American nation to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1948. The ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2006, opening a new phase in the bilateral relations.

The Republic Day Parade ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial near India Gate. He will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath. This is for the first time that the Prime Minister will pay homage to martyrs at the National War Memorial instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti. Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade.

As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will commence with President Shri Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute. The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command.

The proud winners of the highest gallantry awards will follow. They include the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra. Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major & Honorary Captain Bana Singh (Retd), Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles and Ashok Chakra winners Major General Cyrus APithawalla (Retd), Lieutenant Colonel Jas Ram Singh (Retd), Lieutenant Colonel D Sreeram Kumar and Naib Subedar (Honorary) ChheringMutup (Retd) will follow 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.

The first 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 August 01, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces’ cavalry units.

The Indian Army will be represented by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, eight mechanised columns, six marching contingents and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters of the Army Aviation.

Indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma, Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) Ballway Machine Pikate (BMP)-II, K-9 VAJRA-T, Dhanush Gun System, newly-inducted five-metre Short Span Bridging System, Sarvatra Bridge System, Transportable Satellite Terminal and Akash weapon system will be the main attraction in the mechanised columns.

The other marching contingents of the Army will include the Parachute Regiment, the Grenadiers Regiment, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment, the Kumaon Regiment and the Corps of Signals. The Combined Band of the Armoured Corps Centre & School, Madras Engineers Group & Centre and Artillery Regimental Centre, the Combined Band of 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre, 39 Gorkha Training Centre, Kumaon Regimental Centre and Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre will also march past the saluting dais.

Marching for the first time on Republic Day will be the contingent of the Corps of Army Air Defence. It will be followed by The Combined Band of Combined Band of Bengal Engineers Group & Centre, Brigade OF Guards Training Centre, 3 Electronics & Mechanical Engineers Centre and Madras Regimental Centre.

The Naval contingent will comprise of 144 young sailors led by Lieutenant JitinMalkat as Contingent Commander. It will be followed by the Naval Tableau titled ‘Indian Navy – Silent, Strong, and Swift’. The fore part of the tableau showcases the might and fire power of Navy in all three dimensions, while the next part exhibits the Navy’s commitment to nation building.

The Air Force contingent, comprising of 144 air warriors, will be led by Flight Lieutenant Shrikant Sharma. The Air Force tableau showcases scaled down models of the Rafale aircraft, the Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat Helicopter, the Akash Missiles System and the Astra Missiles.

The Veterans’ tableau, marking the recognition and respect to the soldiers’ selfless service to the nation, will showcase the theme ‘Force behind the Force’.

One of the main highlights will be the marching contingent of DRDO that will showcase Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) – Mission Shakti. ASAT (Anti-Satellite) weapons play a critical role in providing the necessary strategic deterrence. Mission Shakti, India’s first Anti-Satellite (ASAT) mission, was a major breakthrough in demonstrating the nation’s Anti-Satellite technology. The second equipment of DRDO will be the Air Defence Tactical Control Radar (ADTCR) used for volumetric surveillance, detection, tracking and friend/foe identification of aerial targets of different types and transmission of prioritised target data to multiple command posts/weapon systems.

The Indian Coast Guard marching contingent will be led by Deputy Commandant Gaurav Sharma. The motto of the Indian Coast Guard is ‘VayamRakshamah’ meaning ‘We Protect’.

The contingents of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Delhi Police and Border Security Force (BSF) will also march past the saluting dais. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Boys Marching contingent will be led by Commander Junior Under-Officer Charandeep Singh Bhaduria, NCC Directorate Uttar Pradesh, while the Girls contingent will be headed by Senior Under-Officer Shreeshma Hegde, NCC Directorate, Karnataka & Goa. The National Service Scheme (NSS) contingent comprising 148 volunteers will also take part. The Massed Pipes and Drums Band of the Indian Army will also be on display.

Sixteen tableaux from various states/union territories will be showcased during the parade, depicting the geographical and rich cultural diversity of the country. Six tableaux from different ministries/departments will also be on display, showcasing various far-reaching reforms of the Government including ‘Startup India’, ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojna’ and ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’. The glorious past and vibrant future of the Kolkata Port Trust is the theme of the tableau of Ministry of Shipping.

The proud winners of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar will follow in Jeeps. The children were conferred the award for exceptional achievements in the fields of bravery, social service, art and culture, sports, innovation and scholastic. It will be followed by children’s pageant comprising over 600 participants. The cultural show will be led by Arvind Gupta DAV Centenary Public School, Model Town, Delhi on the theme ‘Yog – Vishwa Shakti ki Ore’. ‘The Baul’, a group of mystic minstrels from the historical Bengal region, is the theme of Vinay Nagar Bengali Senior Secondary School, Sarojini Nagar, Delhi. The children from Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya B-Block, JanakPuri, New Delhi will perform on the theme ‘Mharo Rang Rangilo Rajasthan’. West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur will present ‘Garba – the folk dance of Gujarat’.

For the first time, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF will perform daredevil stunts. The contingent will be led by Inspector Seema Nag who will be seen saluting while standing atop a moving motorcycle. The bikers will perform several daring acts on moving bikes before a human pyramid on multiple motorcycles bring up the rear.

The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the Fly Past will comprise of the ‘Trishul’ formation by three ALH helicopters. It is for the first time that a “Tri-service Formation” is taking part in the Republic Day Parade. It will be followed by the ‘Vic’ formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations. Apache helicopters, Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, Netra, an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft and the ‘Globe’ formation comprising three C-17 Globemasters are some of the other highlights. Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and five MiG-29 Upgrade Air Superiority Fighters in ‘Arrowhead’ formation will enthral the audience before the exhilarating Trishul manoeuvre by Su-30 MKIs. The parade will culminate with a Su-30 MKI splitting the sky with a breath taking ‘Vertical Charlie’ aerobatic manoeuvre.

The ceremony will culminate with the national anthem and the release of balloons.

 

(a)   Summary of gallantry and distinguished service awards to Army  personnel on the occasion of 26 Jan 2020. 

(b)      List of all gallantry and distinguished service awardees. 

(c)      Citation of  Shaurya Chakra Awardees 

(d)      Photographs of Shaurya Chakra Awardees

 

*****

Col Aman Anand