Republic Day 2024: President Droupadi Murmu unfurls national flag

President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path reported news agency ANIPresident Murmu on her arrival at Kartavya Path was received by Prime Minister Narendra ModiSimultaneously the National Anthem was played and the 21 Gun Salute was presented to the PresidentAs per tradition the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105mm Indian Field GunsPresident Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron who is the chief guest at this years Republic Day 2024 celebrations were escorted by the Presidents Bodyguard Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak reported ANIThe Presidents Bodyguard is the seniormost Regiment of the Indian Army Republic Day 2024 is special for this elite Regiment as the Angrakshak has completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773 reported ANIThe two Presidents arrived at Kartavya Path in the Traditional Buggy a practice which made a comeback after a gap of 40 yearsThe Commandant of the Presidents Bodyguard Colonel Amit Berwal rode to the right of the Presidents Buggy leading this elite body of horsemen To the left of the Presidents Buggy is the SecondinCommand of the Regiment Lt Col Ramakant YadavFour Mi17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path This was followed by Aavaahan a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments symbolising Nari ShaktiThe Gun Salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment SHINGO ex HQ 36 Artillery Brigade The Ceremonial Battery is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar SMThe Gun position officer is Subedar AIG Anoop Singh The 21 Gun Salute was given with 105 mm Indian Field Guns the indigenous gun system on Kartavya Path21 Gun Salute is the highest military honour presented to the National Flag from the Kartavya path The gun salute is synchronized with three simultaneous actions vizaviz unfurling of the National Flag Playing of the National Anthem by the Service bands and the national salute rendered by the Presidents Bodyguard reported ANILast year for the first time the 21 Gun Salute was given with 105 mm Indian Field Guns replacing the vintage 25pounder gunThe 21 Gun Salute is presented during Republic Day 2024 Independence Day and visits of foreign Heads of StateThe Presidents Buggy is being led by Risaldar Sunder Singh Tanwar astride ARJUNThe Presidents Bodyguard is a unique Airborne Cavalry Regiment and distinct amongst all Regiments not only in India but also in the whole world as it performs a multitude of rolesIt is the seniormost Cavalry Regiment carrying out mounted ceremonial duties for the PresidentThe ceremonial escort under the Commandant consisted of two divisions one in front of the Presidents Buggy and one in the rear The Nishaan Toli carrying the National Flag and two Nishaans of the Regiment were in the centreThe front division was commanded by the Risaldar Major Ajay Kumar Immediately behind the Presidents Buggy was the Trumpeter on his grey steed Alexander followed by the Nishaan ToliThe National Flag was carried by Risaldar Bhawani Singh Nishaan of the Presidents Standard of Bodyguard carried by Risaldar Kulbir Singh and the Regimental Standard was carried by Rajender Singh The rear division was under the command of Risaldar Satnam SinghFrench President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest at this years RDay paradeHe is the fifth French leader to be the chief guest on Republic DayWith inputs from ANI