President of India presents Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (November 17, 2017).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it gave him great pleasure to present the PBG a Silver Trumpet with his Trumpet Banner. As the President’s personal troops, the President’s Bodyguards have lived up to the highest standards of professional excellence and distinguished service to our country. The men of the PBG comprise the only regiment in the Indian Army fully trained as horsemen, paratroopers, tank-men, and in ceremonial duties. This gives them a special position in our Armed Forces.
The President said that it is a matter of pride that warriors of the President’s Bodyguard have served with distinction during our country’s major wars, as well as with the Indian Peace-Keeping Force in Sri Lanka and on the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier. They have also been deployed overseas as part of United Nations Peace-Keeping Missions.
The President’s Bodyguard 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 President’s Bodyguard 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 President’s Bodyguard on May 14, 1957.
Address by the Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind on the occasion of presentation of Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard (PBG)
- It gives me great pleasure to present to you a Silver Trumpet with my Trumpet Banner. I congratulate you for your immaculate turnout and the impressive military bearing you have displayed today. As my personal troops, you have lived up to the highest standards of professional excellence and distinguished service to our country. You have lived up to your stirring motto, which is simply: “Bharat Mata ki Jai!”
- The President’s Bodyguard has a long history going back to 1773. Raised as the Viceroy’s Bodyguard, it is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army. It was renamed the President’s Bodyguard on January 27, 1950, the day after we became a Republic.
- You comprise the only regiment in the Indian Army that is fully trained as horsemen, paratroopers, tank-men, and in ceremonial duties. This gives you a special position in our Armed Forces. Your patriotism and valour have won you the affection and gratitude of our fellow citizens.
- It is a matter of pride that you, the warriors of my Bodyguard, have served with distinction during our country’s major wars, as well as with the Indian Peace-Keeping Force in Sri Lanka and on the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier. You have also been deployed overseas as part of United Nations Peace-Keeping Missions.
- I am delighted to have such impressive troops as my personal Bodyguard. You showcase our military might, whether on Republic Day or Beating the Retreat, at state functions or investiture ceremonies. Heads of State from other countries are very impressed by the ceremonial reception you give them.
- On this happy day, I convey my greetings to Colonel Bommanda [बोमान्डा] Dhiraj Chengappa, the Commandant of the President’s Bodyguard, and to the other Officers, JCOs and ranks. I am glad to note that former Commandants, Officers, JCOs and other ranks, who have served with the Bodyguard earlier – as well as family members of those who are serving or have served in the President’s Bodyguard – are present here today. My warm greetings and best wishes to all of you!
Jai Hind!