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Mi-17 choppers ablution petals, alert ‘Dhwaj Formation’
NEW DELHI: The Republic Day parade began connected Kartavya Path connected Monday with a stirring aerial show titled the ‘Dhwaj Formation’, arsenic 4 Mi-17 1V helicopters of the 129 Helicopter Unit flew overhead successful a striking inverted ‘Y’ formation, carrying the National Ensign on with the work flags of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
The enactment was led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat, who trooped the National Flag. Wing Commander Ashutosh Khanduri followed arsenic Deputy Formation Leader carrying the Indian Army Ensign, portion Wing Commander Abhishek Malhotra carried the Indian Navy Ensign and Wing Commander Abhishek Shukla carried the Indian Air Force Ensign. As the helicopters passed implicit Kartavya Path, they showered angiosperm petals, adding colour and solemnity to the Republic Day celebrations. The aerial salute was followed by the accomplishment of the Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Sena Medal, who smartly saluted the Commander-in-Chief, President Droupadi Murmu, arsenic helium passed the dais. A second-generation Army officer, Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment connected December 16, 1989. He has served successful high-altitude areas astatine Dras nether Operation Rakshak, successful counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations successful the North East nether Operation Orchid, and successful the Siachen Glacier nether Operation Meghdoot.
He has besides served doubly with the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade. During his career, the General Officer has commanded the 5th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment arsenic portion of the Strike Corps, a Mountain Brigade successful Jammu and Kashmir, and a Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Division connected the occidental borders. The Deputy Parade Commander, Major General Navraj Dhillon, Vishisht Sena Medal, was commissioned into the 42 Armoured Regiment successful December 1991.
A third-generation Army officer, with the 4th procreation presently serving, helium has commanded the 42 Armoured Regiment and an Independent Armoured Brigade, too holding respective unit and instructional appointments. Following the Parade Commander, recipients of India’s highest gallantry awards — the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra — arrived connected Kartavya Path. Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar were honoured with the Param Vir Chakra, portion Major General C A Pithawalia (Retd) and Colonel D Sreeram Kumar received the Ashok Chakra. Kartavya Path, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, has been elaborately decorated this twelvemonth to bespeak India’s journey, blending the bequest of Vande Mataram, the country’s developmental progress, subject spot and taste diversity, the Ministry of Defence said. Republic Day, celebrated annually connected January 26, marks the adoption of the Constitution successful 1950 and symbolises India’s modulation into a sovereign, socialist, secular and antiauthoritarian republic founded connected justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
