New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President's Bodyguard at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, an official statement said.
In her brief remarks on the occasion, the president congratulated the commandant, officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and other ranks of the President's Bodyguard (PBG) for remarkable display of parade, maintenance of well groomed horses and the impressive ceremonial attire.
She said that this event is even more special as the President's Bodyguard is celebrating 250 years of its raising which is coinciding with the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' being celebrated across the country.
The president appreciated PBG for their excellent military traditions, professionalism and discipline in all their tasks, said the statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. She said that the nation is proud of them.
President Murmu expressed confidence that they will strive with dedication, discipline and valour to maintain the highest traditions of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and be an ideal role model for other regiments of the Indian Army.
The PBG is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army, having been raised as the Governor-General's Bodyguard (later the Viceroy's Bodyguard) in 1773.
As the President of India's own guard, it has the unique distinction of being the only military unit of the Indian Army that is privileged to carry the President's Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner.
This distinction was conferred on the PBG in 1923 by the then Viceroy, Lord Reading, on the occasion of the Bodyguard completing 150 years of service.
Each succeeding Viceroy, thereafter, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the bodyguard.
On January 27, 1950, the regiment was renamed the President’s Bodyguard. Every president has continued the practice of honouring the regiment.
Rather than a coat of arms, as was the practice in the colonial era, the monogram of the president appears on the Banner.
Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, presented his Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the PBG on May 14, 1957.
The President’s Bodyguard, as it is known today, was raised in Banaras (Varanasi) by the then Governor-General, Warren Hastings.
It had an initial strength of 50 cavalry troopers, later augmented by another 50 horsemen.
Today, the PBG is a select body of hand-picked men with special physical attributes. They are chosen after a rigorous process.
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