R-Day: President Murmu revives 250-year-old tradition as 'buggy' makes comeback after 40 years
New Delhi, Jan 26: Reviving a 250-year-old tradition on the 75th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanual Macron arrived on Kartavya Path in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years.
They were escorted by the President's Bodyguard -- "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak". The President's Bodyguard is the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army.
This Republic Day is special for this elite regiment, with the "Angrakshak" completing 250 years of service since its raising in 1773, and for India's old tradition where Murmu let go of the modern sedan in favour of the quaint horse-drawn buggy.
"President Droupadi Murmu and the French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy which made a comeback after 40 years," the Rashtrapati Bhawan said in a post on X.
The gold-plated, horse-drawn buggy is a black carriage with the national emblem embossed in gold. The buggy, drawn by a mixed breed of Indian and Austrian horses, has gold-plated rims.
The presidential buggy was in use for Republic Day functions till 1984 but was discontinued after the assassination of the-then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
The buggy was last used by Giani Zail Singh in 1984. It was discontinued due to security reasons and presidents began using limousines for travel.
It was only in 2014 when former president Pranab Mukherjee used it again for the beating retreat ceremony. His successor Ram Nath Kovind continued the tradition of riding the buggy. He inspected the Guard of Honour in the presidential buggy after taking oath in 2017.
During the British era, the buggy belonged to the Viceroy of India. After India's independence in 1947, a row erupted between India and Pakistan regarding claims over the carriage.
With no immediate solution and higher authority to decide on the row, India's then Lt Colonel Thakur Govind Sing and the Pakistan Army's Sahabzada Yaqub Khan took full responsibility for the fact that the ownership of the buggy would depend on a coin toss.
India is believed to have won the toss and the buggy has been with the country since then. The same carriage has been used by several presidents on various occasions.
Almost three decades ago, former president Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed used the buggy to reach the exit gate of the Rashtrapati Bhavan from where he took a car to attend the Republic Day ceremony.
The carriage was also used by presidents to pay homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti during Republic Day celebrations. Besides, the heads of the country used the buggy to move around in their 320-acre residential space.
The 75th Republic Day Parade showcased the nation’s extraordinary Nari Shakti as impressive march-pasts by women received standing ovation by the invitees. President Droupadi Murmu and the French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy… pic.twitter.com/y2wE0VTxOu
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 26, 2024
#WATCH Live | President Droupadi Murmu and French President @EmmanuelMacron leave for the Kartavya Path, in a special 'Traditional Buggy' or the presidential carriage. #RepublicDay #EmmanuelMacron #RepublicDay2024 #75thRepublicDay pic.twitter.com/jExQl6wOo4
— DD India (@DDIndialive) January 26, 2024
After almost 40 yrs, a traditional horse-drawn buggy on Kartavaya Path!
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) January 26, 2024
President #DroupadiMurmu and French President #EmmanuelMacron depart in the buggy, accompanied by men in red uniforms on majestic horses. This practice was discontinued in 1984 makes a comeback after 40 yrs pic.twitter.com/mVq4rmMukp
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Kharge sends 'chadar' for Ajmer Sharif dargah with message of peace, brotherhood
New Delhi, Jan 4: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday sent a 'chadar' on his and the party's behalf to be offered at Ajmer Sharif dargah on the occasion of Urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
He referred to the Ganga-Jamuni culture of the country and called for spreading love and affection and defeating the forces of hatred.
Kharge said the roots of national unity and brotherhood are so deep that they cannot be shaken by a few people with distorted mindset.
During the day, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju offered a ceremonial 'chadar' sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the dargah and read out the prime minister's message which called on people from across religions to work together in harmony.
In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge wrote, "With utmost devotion and respect, I feel very fortunate to send a chadar on behalf of myself and the Congress party on the occasion of the 813th Urs Mubarak of Khwaja Garib Nawaz Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri. Being the Congress President, today I got the opportunity to carry on the tradition which our party carries on year after year."
He said he is praying for the welfare of every citizen of the country and the welfare of the world.
The symbol of our country's Ganga-Jamuni culture, national unity, mutual brotherhood, love and affection, etiquette and hospitality is behind the offering of the 'chadar', he wrote.
"The message from this should go to the entire world that the roots of national unity and brotherhood in India are so deep that they cannot be shaken by a few people with distorted mindset," Kharge said in his post and also shared pictures with some Muslim leaders holding the 'chadar' at his residence.
The Congress chief said while drafting the Constitution, our ancestors had kept the spirit of national unity at the centre, which it is the duty of every Indian to protect.
He recalled that 2025 is the centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi becoming the Congress president, as in 1924, under his presidency, people from all over the country gathered in Belgaum and gave the message of unity against untouchability, discrimination and hatred.
"We should always remember that the 'merchants of hatred' have snatched the Father of the Nation from us, but his ideas are alive and the Congress party is constantly fighting for this by keeping the concerns of the people at the forefront.
"Therefore, the message of peace and brotherhood should spread from Khwaja's shrine to the entire world," he asserted.
"Let us pray that peace, tranquillity, love, affection, democracy and the centuries-old Ganga-Jamuni culture remain in the country as long as the sun and the moon exist. Jai Hind," Kharge said in his message.
इंतेहाई अक़ीदत व एहतराम के साथ मैं ख़्वाजा ग़रीब नवाज़ मोइनुद्दीन चिश्ती अजमेरी (रह.) के 813 वें उर्स मुबारक के मौक़े पर अपनी और कांग्रेस पार्टी की ओर से चादर रवाना करते हुए ख़ुद को बेहद ख़ुशक़िस्मत महसूस कर रहा हूँ। कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष होने के नाते आज उस परंपरा को निभाने का मौका… pic.twitter.com/jNPcBKuH4c
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 4, 2025
