Bargarh: The nation is all geared up to celebrate the 68th Republic Day. The celebration will commence with the hoisting of the Tricolour by President Pranab Mukherjee followed by a parade on Rajpath, New Delhi.
In yet another glory of sort for Orissa, three Oriya youths will lead the marching contingents during the parade for the first time in history.
The youths were identified as Pitabash Panda, son of a pharmacist Durgacharan Panda of Rengalli under Atabira block in Bargarh district and Asish Mohanty, son of Rourkela Steel Plant DGM Sourav Kumar Mohanty. The two are the squadron commanders of National Security Guard (NSG). The third was identified as Pritam Mishra, son of Bichanda Charan Mishra of Bendra in Balangir district.
According to sources, Pitabash did his schooling at Rengali Primary School and finished his high school from Larambha High school. Later, he joined Atabira college and went to Sambalpur University for his degree. He was selected as assistant commandant with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 2005. After being posted in CRPF for seven years, he was promoted to Squadron Commander of NSG in 2012.
Similarly, Asish was selected for Indian Army in 2007 and later was promoted to NSG in 2015. Both Asish and Pitabash will lead contingents of the National Security Guard for the first time.
Meanwhile, Pritam will lead another marching contingent in the Republic Day Parade. Pritam finished his degree from National Indian Military College, National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy. The three expressed happiness and pride for representing Orissa. The happiness of their family members and friends knew no bounds when heard the news.
“It is indeed a matter of honour for Oriyas,” said advocate Rabi Narayan Panda. PNN
