All you need to know about the men in uniform participating in the 68th Republic Day Parade

The 68th Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi witnessed a colourful display of culture and power. The parade saw India displaying its military might along with a spectacular air show that was presented by the officers of the Indian Air Force. Jawans of the National Security Guard (NSG) made a debut at the parade alongside other special forces like the Indian Coast Guard and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) among others.

Here is all you need to know about the brave hearts participating the 68th Republic Day parade:

61st Cavalry
The 61st Cavalry Regiment of the Indian Army is the largest non-ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry unit in the world. At the time of Independence, it was the only mounted cavalry remaining in service with the President’s Body Guard and it formed a part of the Imperial Service State Forces that were provided by the Indian Princely State. Upon integration in the post-Independence era, this unit was reorganised to form ‘New Horsed Cavalry Regiment’, which was based in Gwalior.

 

Mechanised Infantry Regiment
It comprises of the 25 battalions of the Indian Army and was formed in 1776 to provide greater mobility to infantry units.
Motto: Valour & Faith
War Cry: Bolo Bharat Mata Ki Jai

 

Bihar Regiment
The Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army was formed in 1941 and comprises of 20 battalions. It has won various honours including three Ashok Chakras, two Maha Vir Chakras, 13 Kirti Chakras.
Motto: Karam Hi Dharam
War Cries: Jai Bajrang Bali and Birsa Munda Ki Jai

 

39 Gorkha Training Centre
It was formed in 1952 by merging 9 Gorkha Regimental Centre and 3 GR Regimental Centre (hence the name 39). It’s is based in Birpur, Dehradun.

 

58 Gorkha Training Centre
It is the regimental centre of 5 Gorkha Rifles that was raised in May 1958 and comprises of six battalions. This regiment has won several accolades including one Ashok Chakra, eight Maha Vir Chakras, five Kirti Chakras, twenty Vir Chakras, four Shaurya Chakras and one Yudh Seva Medal.
Motto: Shaurya Evam Nistha
War Cry: Ayo Gorkhali

 

Madras Engineering group and Centre
It draws its origin from the Madras Presidency Army of the British Raj and is one of the three groups of combat engineers of the Indian Army. Commonly known as the Madras Sappers, the regiment is headquartered in Bengaluru.
Motto: Sarvatra

 

103 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Sikh LI
It is one of the Non-Departmental Units of the Territorial Army, which acts as the second line of defence after the regular army. It is based in Ludhiana in Punjab.

 

National Security Guard (NSG)
It is a special forces unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs that was established in 1984 following Operation Blue Star for combating terrorist activities to protect states against internal disturbances. NSG personnel are also called Black Cats. It has participated in numerous specialised operations including Operation Black Tornado and Operation Cyclone, 2016 Pathankot attack and 2013 Hyderabad blasts among others.
Motto: Sarvatra Sarvottam Surakhsha

 

Border Security Force (BSF)
This paramilitary force guards the country’s land borders during the peace time and prevents transnational crime. It was established on December 1, 1965, and is the world’s largest border guarding force.
Motto: Duty Unto Death

 

Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
It is the paramilitary force that protects India’s maritime interests and enforces the maritime law in the territorial waters of the country. It was established on 18 August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978, as an independent Armed force of India. It is a part of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Motto: Vayam Rakshaam

 

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
It is the largest of India’s Central Armed Police Forces and it came into existence as Crown Representative’s Police on July 27, 1939. After independence, it became the Central Reserve Police Force on enactment of the CRPF Act on December 28, 1949. It is placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is tasked with maintaining internal security in the country.
Motto: Service and Loyalty

 

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
The CISF was formed in 1969 to provide security to the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in the country. Currently, it is providing security cover to nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive Government buildings and ever heritage monuments.
Motto: Sanrakshan va Suraksha

 

National Cadet Corps (NCC)
It came into existence in 1948 under the National Cadet Corps Act XXXI of 1948 and is headquartered in New Delhi. It’s a voluntary organisation that grooms the students with special emphasis on social services, discipline and adventure training.
Motto: Ekta aur Anushaasan

 

National Service Scheme (NSS)
It was launched in the year 1969 with an aim of developing student’s personality through community service. Today, NSS has more than 3.2 million student volunteers on its roll spread over 298 Universities and 42 Senior Secondary Councils and Directorate of Vocational Education all over the country.
Motto: Not me but you

 

Delhi Police
It was established in 1861 after the adoption of the Indian Police Act of 1861. However, it remained a part of the Punjab Police until India gained independence in 1947. It is tasked with maintaining law and order in the national capital.
Motto: Shanti Seva Nyaya

 

Indian Army
It originated from the armies of the East India Company, which eventually became the British Indian Army, which after independence became the national army. It is the third largest army in the world and is organised into regiments that are comprised of several battalions.
Motto: Service Before Self

 

Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force was officially established on October 8, 1932, and it is the fourth largest air force in the world. Some of the notable operations by the IAF include– Operation Cactus, Operation Pawan, Operation Meghdoot, Indo-Pak war 1965 and Indo-Pak war 1971 among others.
Motto: Nabhah Sparsham Deeptam

 

Indian Navy
The Indian Navy traces its origin back to the East India Company’s Marine which was founded in 1612 to protect British merchant shipping in the region. The Royal Indian Marine was re-organised into the Royal Indian Navy in 1934, which was reorganised as the Indian Navy in 1950 when India became a republic. Its primary objective is to secure India’s maritime borders. The Indian Navy has won several awards and accolades and it is one of the largest navies in the world.
Motto: Shaam No Varunah