The Hindu : National : R-Day: a break with tradition

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Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007
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National

National

R-Day: a break with tradition

Parul Sharma

A foreigner will command an Army unit

NEW DELHI: Perhaps for the first time in history, a foreigner will command an Army unit during the Republic Day parade on Friday.

Captain Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, grandson of the Sultan of Johor in Malaysia, will lead the 61st Cavalry Regiment.

"The Indian Army will be represented by the mounted column of the 61st Cavalry, nine mechanised columns, eight marching contingents, two tableaux, along with a fly-past by the Dhruv advanced light helicopter of the Army Aviation," said parade commander Maj. Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj at a press meet on Tuesday.

"Some serving and retired Param Vir and Ashok Chakra awardees will also participate in the parade that will last an hour and 45 minutes," he said.

The highlights of the Army's display would be T-72 tanks, Tactical Control Reporter Radar, Mobile Decontamination Station, Mobile Base Transceiver Station and Army Wide Area Network (AWAN) on mobile node.

"We will be showcasing T-72 tanks and BMP-II vehicles that are fitted with Thermal Imaging Stand Alone Sights used for surveillance, target detection and guidance of missiles. Another attraction is the Mobile Decontamination Station equipped with GPS, meteorological and communication equipments in order to decontaminate personnel equipment and vehicles in a nuclear, biological and chemical warfare environment," said Maj. Gen. Bhardwaj.

The Parachute Regiment would march for Kadam kadam badhaye ja.

The tableaux of the Remount and Veterinary Corps and the World Military Games 2007 would be showcased, he said.

"Very exciting"

On his participation in the parade, Capt. Ibrahim said, "It is certainly very exciting. It's a great honour. I have been practising for the parade for many days now. I hope to do it right and live up to everyone's expectations." He passed out of the Indian Military Academy in 2003 and now posted in Jaipur.

"It is our family tradition to get trained in the military. My grandfather did his training in Malaysia, my father went to the United States and I came to India. It is really tough being in IMA, as they are known for their discipline. I have learnt a lot from there," he said.

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