By IANS
New Delhi : The Rajputana Rifles regiment has bagged the coveted award of the best marching contingent among the three services at the Republic Day parade here last Saturday.
The panel of judges also selected the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the best marching contingent among paramilitary and other auxiliary forces, a defence ministry statement Thursday said.
Lt. Anand A. Shirali led the Rajputana Rifles regiment contingent at the parade, while Assistant Commandant Onkar Singh Thakur led the CISF contingent.
Raised in 1775, the Rajputana Rifles regiment won the then British Indian Army’s first Victoria Cross in 1856. During the 1999 Kargil War, the regiment played a vital role in capturing the Tololing and Drass sectors for which it was awarded the Battle Honours Tololing and Drass.
Capt. Umed Singh Mehra of this regiment has been posthumously conferred the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime award for gallantry.
The regiment has won one Param Vir Chakra, one Ashok Chakra, 10 Maha Vir Chakras and eight Kirti Chakras. It has to its credit six Arjuna Awards for excellence in sports.
The CISF is the youngest and most hi-tech paramilitary force in the country. It has been tasked with providing security at airports and vital installations across the country, besides heritage sites including the Taj Mahal.
Among the tableaux, the one from Kerala depicting the Onam festival was awarded first prize. The second prize went to tableau from Karnataka depicting Hoysala temple. The tableau of the human resource development ministry on the theme Education of Girl Child was awarded the third prize.