Republic Day 2018: ITBP Wins Best Marching Contingent Trophy

The foot contingent of the force was followed by the band team. The ITBP tableau, depicting its duties and equipment used along the China border, featured in the parade after 20 years.

New Delhi, Jan 29: The marching contingent of Indo-Tibetan Border Police at the Republic Day parade was selected as the best contingent on Monday. The contingent comprising 144 members from all formations of the force from almost all units undertook 12-14 hours of rigorous practice daily along meditation to win the much-coveted trophy. The force guarding country’s border with China has won the trophy for the sixth time in last 22 years, earlier being in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2011. [Also read: BSF’s All-Woman Motorcycle Contingent Stuns Audience During Republic Day Parade: See Pics]

“It was a matter of pride for us as our contingent was adjudged as the best marching contingent in this year’s Republic Day parade. The best part of the contingent is that it represented all formations of the force comprising members from almost all its units,” ITBP spokesperson second-in-command Vivek K Pandey said. [Also read: Republic Day: ITBP Jawans Unfurl Tricolour at 18000 Feet, in Minus 30 Degrees in Himalayas – Watch Video]

“Special yoga, meditation and physical training were also included in the two-month long preparation capsule for the marchers,” added Pandey.

The foot contingent of the force was followed by the band team. The ITBP tableau, depicting its duties and equipment used along the China border, featured in the parade after 20 years. The paramilitary force, under the Home Ministry, is primarily tasked to guard the 3,488-km-long China border. It renders various duties in the internal security domain, including anti-Naxal operations.