Soon after the Republic Day parade concluded, visuals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh petting a horse started doing the rounds on social media.
As India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day, it also brought the curtain down on the years-long service of Virat, the President's Bodyguard (PBG) Commandant's black horse after the conclusion of the Republic Day parade.
The PBG said the horse shall continue to adorn the stables of PBG till he breathes his last. In his illustrious service, Virat was the mount of President's Bodyguard Commandant Colonel Anup Tiwary and took part 13 times in Republic Day parades.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Modi and Singh were seen warmly greeting and affectionately petting the magnificent horse after the parade to bid him farewell. The trusted steed presented the President its last escort at the 21 Gun Salute ceremony at Delhi’s iconic Rajpath, shortly before the parade began.
What made the occasion special was Virat’s presence as it escorted the President back to the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the last time on Wednesday. The warm gesture by political leaders to show their love to Virat has sparked gleeful reactions from people on Twitter.
The Hanoverian breed horse, Virat, also called the President's bodyguard's “charger”, was included in the President's Bodyguard regiment in 2003 at the age of three from Remount Training School and Depot Hempur and soon became the cynosure of all eyes.
Virat was awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation on the eve of Army Day on January 15. It is the first horse to receive the commendation for exceptional service and abilities.
Virat received the visiting Heads of States during ceremonial receptions at Rashtrapati Bhavan for the last 13 years. “He performed his duties as the Commandant’s Charger for over a decade and awed spectators, including foreign dignitaries, with his trademark poise and confidence, an official said. Within a short span of time, he displayed the potential and temperament to become the most trustworthy Parade Horse.
The President’s Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment is based in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the recruited personnel are all paratroopers.
While their role is ceremonial during peace, they are trained to perform reconnaissance and work as parachute pathfinders during the war.
The Indian Army is one of the few modern forces in the world that still have active cavalry units.
The PBG, the 61 Cavalry Regiment BSF camel regiment are the operational cavalry units of the Indian security forces.