AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 145 of 237 The PM is received at the Red Fort by the GOC Delhi Area. He then reviews the Tri Services Guard of Honour and walks towards the lift entrance and arrives at the third floor. On alighting, he is received by the Defence Minister and the three Chiefs of the Armed Forces and then walks towards the Flag Mast. This is clocked precisely so that he unfurls the flag at exactly 0730 hours. Hence, it was essential that we knew his programme well in advance, so that the out riders ensure that he is bang on schedule. We were relying purely on the radio communications of the Army signallers, who were stationed at vantage points on the route. The concerned personnel – were thoroughly briefed – so that there was no slip up anywhere. The aim was that the PM had to be at the Red Fort by 0723 hrs. Insofar as the PA system was concerned, miles of cable had been laid and were secured so that there is no break in the cables due to excessive movement of vehicles, crowds, and the various animals – on which control was humanly possible. All steps had been taken to ensure that the communications were fail-safe. It is said the fortune favours the brave. On that day, it certainly was with us. The PM decided that he would lay only one wreath at that would be at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi - the Father of the Nation and no where else. That eased our tensions, and he was sheparded bang on time and reached the Red Fort on time. He unfurled the tricolour at 0730. Once that was done, the main task was over. This is what everyone who attends the parade and those that tuned into the visual media look forward to thanks to the Corps of Signals.