Leading the country’s highest gallantry award winners at the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi on January 26, 2023 was Maj Gen Cyrus Pithawalla (retd).
Asked why he is still called upon to participate in the parade every year, Pithawalla explains, "Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and Ashok Chakra (AC) awardees are invited to participate in all Republic Day parades as these are the highest awards for gallantry (PVC in wartime and AC in situations other than war). I received the AC on Rajpath (now renamed Kartavya Path) at the Republic Day parade of 1982. I have been attending the Republic Day parade every year......