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A rare day at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Mandira Nayar

President's Body Guards to receive the 10th Silver Trumpet and the Trumpet Banner since Independence from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

NEW DELHI: All the President's guards and nearly 40 of their handsome horses will be at their ceremonial best this Friday. Responding to the call of the trumpet that is a constant in the lives of the cavalry officers, the President's Body Guards will finally receive the 10th Silver Trumpet and the Trumpet Banner since Independence from their Supreme Commander A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

A grand ceremony that is a lasting legacy of the British Raj, each President presents a Silver Trumpet and the Trumpet Banner to the Trumpet Major in his term. The last time this ceremony took place was in 1998.

Standing tall on his grey horse among the other bay coloured horses, the Trumpet Major will receive the trumpet and the banner that carries his initials in Hindi.

The only ones in the Army allowed to have full manes, the horses for the President are dressed up for the occasion in their ceremonial best. It is the only military unit that has the privilege to carry the President's Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner.

One of the most important days in the life of the President's Body Guards, apart from it being a tradition that has carried on through the years, it is also an occasion for the senior-most unit of the Indian Army to show off its equestrian skills.

An event that is certainly rare, two French photographers will also be present at the ceremony to capture its pomp and glory. Apart from the graceful tricks on horses, music and the parade, there will be an audio-visual presentation on a huge screen set up in the forecourt.

Raised by Warren Hastings in 1773 in Benares, the Regiment gets pride of place in all official and ceremonial functions in Independent India.

Not only to add colour and ceremony to the office of the President, the President's Body Guards are trained for operational duties and some officers have served overseas with the Indian Peace-Keeping Force in Sri Lanka.

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