New Delhi, January 26: Virat, the President’s Bodyguard Commandant’s black horse, retired from his years long service after the 73rd Republic Day parade on Wednesday.
Virat was included in the bodyguard services for the president in 2003 and was called as president’s Bodyguard’s ”Charger”.
Virat was the mount of President’s Bodyguard Commandant Colonel Anup Tiwary and participated 13 times in Republic Day parades.
The Hanoverian breed, elite black horse was the first horse to be awarded with the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation medal on Army Day (January 15) this year for exceptional services and abilities.
Virat has the distinction of escorting prior Indian Presidents, as well as current President Ram Nath Kovind, in ceremonial marches with grace and dignity.
President Ramnath Kovind, PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh patted & bid Virat a farewell afterwards the Republic Day Parade.
