LIVE | R-Day: Grand parade showcases military firepower, cultural diversity

The CRPF has been awarded the highest number of police gallantry medals, 21, among all central and state police forces including two defence ministry issued Shaurya Chakras on the eve of the 76th Republic Day on Saturday.

A total of 95 bravery medals have been awarded to the personnel of state and central police forces, fire service, home guard and civil defence and correctional services through an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The Ministry of Defence also announced two Shaurya Chakras for the CoBRA commandos of the force — Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar and Inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo — for undertaking a daring operation against Maoists in Jharkhand during 2023.

As per their citation, these personnel from the 203 Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) displayed “exceptional” bravery during an anti-Naxal operation that took place on April 2, 203 in Chatra district of the state leading to the killing of five "top" Maoists and recovery of a cache of weapons and ammunition.

The Shaurya Chakra is the third highest peacetime military gallantry medal.

A senior officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said that out of the 19 police medals for gallantry (GM), 11 are for operations undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir, seven for acts of bravery in anti-Maoist operations and one for courage displayed during an operation in the northeast.

The awardees include second-in-command rank officer Narender Yadav, and Assistant Commandants Amit Kumar and Vinay Kumar who have been conferred with the 1st bar to GM (gallantry medal awarded for the second time).

Late Constable Sunil Kumar Pandey has been named for the medal posthumously.

The 186th battalion jawan laid down his life in September 2023 in Assam while stopping bike-borne smugglers who trafficked contraband from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh. The assailants attacked him with a knife.

After the CRPF, the country's largest paramilitary force, the highest number of medals went to Uttar Pradesh (17), Jammu and Kashmir (15), Chhattisgarh (11) and Border Security Force (5).

Three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed under the United Nations (UN) flag in Congo have also been honoured with the gallantry medal.

Inspector Jitu Deori, Constable Ratan Kumar Yogi and Constable Awdhesh Kumar Yadav displayed "exemplary courage" in rescuing 38 unarmed UN staff members from a violent mob that attacked their camp in Butembo on July 26, 2022.

The BSF is primarily tasked with guarding Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh apart from rendering a variety of other security duties.

The CRPF, with about 3.25 lakh personnel, is the mainstay for internal security duties in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in Delhi on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day.

The prime minister led the nation in paying solemn tributes by laying a wreath at the memorial, escorted by the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs.

Modi was received at the National War Memorial by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Following the wreath-laying, the Guard Commander gave command for the 'Salami Shastra', followed by the 'Shok Shastra', after which the buglers sounded the 'Last Post'.

The officers in uniform gave a salute while other dignitaries observed a two-minute silence to honour the fallen soldiers.

The silence was broken by the buglers sounding the 'Rouse', signalling the end of the two minutes of remembrance. The Guard Commander then ordered the 'Salami Shastra', concluding the ceremony.

The PM also signed the Visitors’ Book before departing for the saluting dais at the Kartavya Path.

The iconic memorial in the India Gate complex was inaugurated by Modi in 2019. It is dedicated to soldiers killed during the India-China War in 1962, India-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and during the Kargil Conflict in 1999, and also those in the UN peacekeeping missions.

Three police officers from Arunachal Pradesh were honoured with the prestigious President's Medal for Distinguished Service and the Medal for Meritorious Service.

Additional Director General of Police Vivek Kishore was awarded the President's Medal for Distinguished Service in recognition of his exemplary service record.

Inspector General of Police Issac Pertin and Inspector Bhupen Buragohain received the Medal for Meritorious Service, which acknowledges outstanding service marked by dedication and resourcefulness, a release said here on Sunday.

The President's Medal for Distinguished Service is presented to individuals with an exceptional record in service, while the Medal for Meritorious Service recognises valuable contributions characterised by devotion to duty.

This year, a total of 942 police, fire, and civil defence personnel were honoured in various categories of gallantry and service medals. Among them, 95 received gallantry medals.

The awards were given to personnel from police, fire, home guard, civil defence, and correctional services as a mark of appreciation for their commitment and service to the nation, the release added.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said differences should be respected and cohesion is the key to living in harmony.

He was speaking after unfurling the national flag at the Republic Day celebration at a college in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra's Thane district.

Along with celebration, Republic Day is an occasion to "remember our responsibilities towards the nation," he said.

Addressing the issue of diversity, Bhagwat said differences should be respected and that "cohesion is the key to living in harmony".

"Clashes are happening outside Bharat due to diversity. We see diversity as a natural part of life. You can have your own specialities, but you must be good to each other. If you want to live, it should be a cohesive living. You cannot be happy if your family is unhappy. Similarly, a family cannot be happy if the town is facing trouble," he said.

Bhagwat emphasised the importance of working with both knowledge and dedication.

"Being enterprising is important, but you must always do your work with knowledge. Any work done without a proper thought does not bear fruit, but brings trouble. A task done without knowledge becomes the work of a lunatic," he said.

Explaining his point, Bhagwat likened cooking rice to the need for knowledge in any task.

"If you know how to cook rice, you need water, heat and rice. But if you do not know how to cook it and instead eat dry rice, drink water, and stand in the sunlight for hours, it will not turn into a meal. Knowledge and dedication are essential," he said.

The RSS chief also spoke on the significance of faith and dedication in everyday life.

"If you drink water at a hotel and leave, you may get insulted or dirty looks. But if you ask for water in someone's home, you are offered a jug full of water along with something to eat. What's the difference? There is faith and dedication at home. Such work bears fruit," Bhagwat said.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said on Sunday that he was committed to realising the dreams of people who "scripted history" by voting to power the alliance he leads for a second term.

Unfurling the Tricolour at Dumka Police Line on Republic Day, Soren said his government fulfilled its promise and 56 lakh women in the age group of 18-50 were receiving assistance of Rs 2,500 per month under 'Maiyan Samman Yojna'.

"To wage war against injustice and atrocities has been our tradition. History is witness to how even before 1857 tribals here fought for Independence. Their struggle is our source of inspiration," he said.

Soren said his government was working in a planned manner to ensure that the tribals oppressed for centuries get their dues and the state could move forward on the path of development.