First-generation Army officers to lead old tradition, command R-Day contingents

As the nation prepares to celebrate the 77th Republic Day, a group of young Indian Army officers will march down Kartavya Path for the first time as Contingent Commanders, an honour that stands above every other emotion they carry.

- PARWINDER SANDHU

Months of rigorous training and meticulous preparation culminate in this moment, as their confident smiles mirror the gleam of the stars on their shoulders and the immaculate precision of their ceremonial uniforms.

Leading diverse contingents, these officers will proudly represent their respective Corps at the Republic Day parade.

Most are first-generation officers and have been in service for less than a year and they dub the moment a dream come true.

Lieutenant Shashank Sharma, commissioned into the 17 Mechanised Infantry just six months ago, will command the Nag Missile System contingent.

Hailing from Ajmer in Rajasthan, the young officer said that the RD parade has given him a lot of exposure, meeting the senior-most officers of the Army during the practice sessions.