New Delhi:
The change of the guard ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan will now be held in a new format, with an extensive visual and musical performance against the background of the presidential palace, an official statement on Sunday said.
The new format includes military exercises of troops and horses of the president's bodyguard, together with staff of the ceremonial security battalion and the ceremonial military copper band. The display is spread over a larger area, the statement is added.
President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the inaugural ceremony in his new size on Sunday in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, according to the explanation of her office.
The ceremony is open for a larger number of visitors from 22 February, according to the statement.
Change of Guard, an ancient military tradition, was introduced as a ceremonial event in 2007 in Rashtrapati Bhavan so that a new group of the president's bodyguard could take the lead.
In 2012, the ceremony was made a public event that gave citizens the opportunity to attend the event, officials said.
Earlier held between Jaipur column and gate number 1, it has now been moved to the forecourt and it expanded the capacity to more than a thousand spectators, they said.
Executed weekly, this ceremony marks formal transfer of tasks between outgoing and incoming guards.
The ceremony attended by Murmu on Sunday presented synchronized movements of the ceremonial battalion, precision boar exercises of the Bodyguard of the President (PBG) and performance by the ceremonial band, which reflected the discipline, heritage and pride of the Indian combat force forces.
Raised in 1773, the Bodyguard of the President (PBG) is the senior most regiment of the Indian army, charged with ceremonial tasks for the president. PBG staff are competent riders, tank operators and paratroopers.
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