President's Colours.
What does it mean? What is the significance? Does it apply only to the Armed Forces?
This short story explains all of the above and few more aspects of this rich tradition of Indian Armed Forces. It was prompted by the Presentation of President's Colours to the College of Defence Management Secunderabad by the President of India on 20th Dec 2024. Being an alumnus and former head of faculty of the college, I felt privileged to be invited to the ceremony. But due to security reasons, photography was not permitted.
Significance
The President's Colour Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military unit of India. It is also known as Nishaan निशान. It signifies meritorious service rendered by the unit both in peace and/or war. President's Colours are also awarded to paramilitary units and state police forces. Picture below shows the format of the Colours of the three Services
After India became republic on 26th Jan 1950, Indian Navy was the first to receive the President's Colours on 27th May 1951. Prior to that 33 units of the Army, Navy and Air Force which had received the King's Colours were "laid up" at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun on 25th Jan 1950. Readers may refer Wikipedia for a list of units awarded thus far as well as more details about the Colours.
Colours lead the ceremonial parades of respective units or academies. Readers may browse our story 'Military Passing Out Parades- Rush of Adrenaline' to get a glimpse of the Colours at the Passing Out Parade of the Officers Training Academy at Madras.
Origin
Colours signify honour. In olden days, the highest point of a fort displayed the Dhwaj ध्वज of the maharaja or the king of that kingdom. When invaded by enemy forces, the battle was incomplete unless the existing dhwaj was replaced by that of the conquering forces. Readers may browse our story 'Kumbhalgarh The Pride of Mewar' which showed the kalash कलश of the Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan. Readers are advised to read the full story to get a feel of the valour of the Rajputs 400 years ago.
Colours to CDM Secunderabad
College of Defence Management at Secunderabad India conducts various Leadership and Management programs for the officers from Indian Defence Services as well as friendly foreign countries. The flagship program called Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) is a year-long full time residential program leading to a Masters Degree in Management. Established on 8th Dec 1970, the College has rendered yeoman service to the nation. In recognition of 54 years of dedicated and meritorious service, CDM is being awarded the President's Colours on 20th Dec 2024. Two pictures of the Invitation Card are reproduced below.
Since I will not be able to take any pictures of the event tomorrow, am posting this story in advance, particularly for non-military readers. I may add few pictures of the ceremony later.
Postscript (20th Dec 2024): Here are a few pictures of the event taken after the ceremony. TV grabs of the ceremony, though not very sharp, sent by Adm Sanjay Datt, former Comdt of CDM are also included.
Talking about the President of India, Hyderabad is the winter retreat of the President. Rashtrapati Nilayam becomes the President's office-cum-home for few weeks. Readers may browse our story 'Tunnel Tourism' to get a glimpse of the historical Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad.
To conclude, the whole ceremony of Colours Presentation was conducted with josh and elan, the hallmark of the Armed Forces of India.
- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 19th Dec 2024
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