The President's men - changing the Guards!

Guard Mounting, or Changing the Guard, refers to a formal ceremony in which sentries providing ceremonial guard duties at important institutions are relieved by a new batch of sentries. The ceremonies are often elaborate and precisely choreographed.

A ceremonial change of guard is held at the President of India's official place of residence The Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Changing the Guard is generally held every Saturday at 08.00 am (Summer), 10.00am (Winter). The old and new guard consists of a troop from the President's Body Guard (PBG) and another platoon from one of the numerous regiments of the Indian Army. A military band also would be present as an accompaniment.When the New Guard is formed up between the Dominion columns of North Block sentries are nominated and the respective guards are inspected by their officers as the band plays 'Sammaan Guard' (The Honour Guard). Men of the President's Bodyguard consists of the old warrior classes of the Rajputs, Sikhs and the Jats. Recruitment standards are strict and the minimum height is six feet.

After the inspection is over, a formal march commences with the band playing "Sher-E-Jawan" (Tiger of a soldier), into the Forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The New Guard forms up along with the Old Guard and awaits the formal salutation of "Salami Shastra" (Present Arms) by the latter to the former to formally salute it and signify readiness for change over. Accompanied by the tune "Robinson" handing over of key takes place the Junior Commissioned Officer of the Old and New Guard patrol, symbolizing responsibility of commanders during changeover.

Sentries of the Old Guard rejoin and the Junior Commissioned Officers return to their posts. The Old Guard marches off to the tune "Saare Jahan Se Achcha" (Better than any nation). Compliments are paid by the New Guard which assumes charge and the balance of the New Guard marches off along with band playing "Amar Jawan" (Immortal Soldier).

PRESIDENT'S BODY GUARD : The President's Bodyguard, raised in 1773, is the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. It is a Regiment with horses carrying out ceremonial duties for The President. Its officers and men are excellent horsemen, capable tank men and paratroopers. Since Independence, it has seen action in 1962 at Chushul, in 1965 in the Western Theatre, in 1988 in Sri Lanka. The men of the Bodyguard have also served in UN Operations in Somalia, Angola, Sierra Leone and Sudan. A detachment of the President's Body Guard also serves on the highest and coldest battlefield in the world, the Siachen Glacier. The physical standards for recruitment into this elite Regiment are very exacting, six feet being the minimum height for enrolment. The horses also have to be more than 15.2 hands. The men carry both, a lance with a red and white cavalry pennant and a Cavalry sabre. The horses are adorned with shabracks, throat ornaments and white brow bands.

Source: Wikipedia & presidentofindia.nic.in

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