Recalling the marching contingents of first Republic Day Parade

Ahead of the 75th Republic Day, it would be fitting to recall the names of the contingent commanders and the marching contingents that took part in the first-ever parade on January 26, 1950, in New Delhi.

The Ceremonial Parade was held at the Irwin Amphitheatre, which is now called the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, and was commanded by Brigadier J S Dhillon from the Corps of Engineers. Brigadier Dhillon went on to rise to the rank of Lt General and was GOC 11 Corps in Punjab in the 1965 war with Pakistan.

The archives reveal the Naval component of 120 men was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Indar Singh. The Air Force contingent had  240 airmen in two flights, dressed in their blue service dress with white webbing and side caps. The Air Headquarters flight was commanded by Squadron Leader V M Radhakrishnan while Squadron Leader J P Shukla commanded the contingent of the Operational Command Flight.

In addition, there was a Company of the 2nd Punjab Boys Battalion as well as the Delhi Police contingent consisting of 120 men marching in their khaki uniform.

After inspection of the Parade, President Dr Rajendra Prasad returned to the saluting base. A salute of 31 guns was then fired by the Artillery, deployed behind the East Stand, in three instalments. In between, the Parade fired a ‘Feu-de-joie’ or the fire of joy —  a formal celebratory gunfire — thrice and then gave three jais to the President of the Republic.

A flight of Liberator bomber aircraft of the Indian Air Force, led by Wing-Commander H S R Gohel, fly-past over the Stadium to mark the dawn of a new era in the country’s history. The Parade then marched past, in line, in bodies of 60 men, saluting the President.

The massed bands stood with Bur Singh, Drum Major of the Navy, in front. The music of the bands had been synchronised and arranged by Lieutenant S E Hill, R N V R, the Navy’s Director of Music.

The massed bands were the last to march past. Following this, the President’s carriage came into the Stadium. The President’s Bodyguard saluted Dr Prasad who then got into the coach and returned in procession to Government House (now Rashtrapati Bhawan).

Here are the Contingent commanders who took part in the first-ever Republic Day parade:

• Navy: Lt Commander Indar Singh
• Armoured Corps: Maj SN Gay
• Artillery: Capt HS Parasram
• Engineers: Lt PV Loganathan
• Signals: Lt Col SN Antia
• 3 Guards: Lt Col Bareshwar Nath
• Mahrattas: Lt Col CA Lobo
• Rajputana Rifles: Capt RSD Pereira
• Rajputs: Capt KA Majumdar
• Jats: Maj HP Kanal
• Sikhs: Maj KC Mahey
• Dogras: Maj SD Sidhu
• Garhwal: Maj KS Kang
• Kumaon: 2/Lt Gopal Singh
• Bihar: Maj AC Cariappa
• Assam: Maj TK Hazarika
• Gurkhas: Maj NN Appaya
• ASC: Maj GR Kulkarni
• AMC: Capt PB Johri
• AOC: Maj VA Talekar
• EME: Lt Gurbux Singh
• IAF (Air HQs): Squadron Leader VM Radha Krishna
• IAF (Opl Command): Squadron Leader JP Shukla
• Boys: Boy Manmohan Singh (2 Punjab)
• Police: SP Ajaib Singh

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