Manipur is a state which is so beautiful – Lt. Col. Ajaykumar

Interview with the PRO, Imphal, Ajaykumar Sharma, the commentator of the 66th Republic Day celebration of India.

Lieutenant Colonel Ajaykumar Sharma, Public Relation Officer, Ministry of Defence who is presently posted in Manipur shared his personal experiences with Imphal Times reporter Nganthoi Lourembam and the role he played during the commentary service of the 66th Republic day of India held at New Delhi.

Imphal Times: Please share your personal information.
Ajay: I am in my 40s. I originally belong to Uttaranchal state and my family now lives in Delhi. I joined the Indian Army in the year of 1997. I became a PRO on Dec 2013 after I put up my application to Ministry of Defence, Defence Public Relation and after undergoing a series of interviews.
My hobbies are reading, writing in my spare time, I have also written different magazines of Indian Army in the past and photography is one of my best hobbies. I am lucky that I have been posted in a beautiful state.

Imphal Times: What is your personal take on what Manipur is?
Ajay: Manipur is very much similar to my hometown, Uttaranchal. To talk about Manipur in one short interview is not enough. Manipur is a state which is so beautiful whether you talk about people, culture and scenic beauty. The state is indeed unity in diversity in the true sense. I am in awe to the state.

Imphal Times: What is your role as a defence PRO?
Ajay: The job of a PRO is a liaison between defence forces and media.

Imphal Times: On this 66th Republic day you have been selected for the commentary. Please share your experience with us.
Ajay: I have been selected to give commentary for the second time in a row. The process of commentary is a prestigious job because Republic day being one of the most important national festival of the country. It is celebrated in a very big way; parades take place during the celebration. The whole national and international media watch live. The contingents of the parades are so huge that is has elements of all the arms and all the services respective of army, navy and air-force or paramilitary. It has tableaus depicting different cultures, dance forms depicting different culture from different state and youngsters from NSS, NCC and different schools taking part in the parade. In short it is a huge kind of event.

Imphal Times: What is the role of a PRO in the commentary?
Ajay: MOD selects one officer, PRO every year who is responsible for ensuring the collection of data, the collation of data, the preparation of the script ensuring accuracy of the script. By accuracy includes historical knowledge about the particular contingent, no or a unit, accuracy of the names who are taking part and the job also entails to issue a book which gives all the information including photographs about the commentary.
We conduct four to five practises a month before the big day. One of the main practises is supposed to be in full dress rehearsal wherein the contingents practise in full dress. On that particular day photographs of the contingents will be taken to publish in the commentary book. Two days prior to the Republic day the book is supposed to be published in correct format without any mistakes that is again a very big job which the PRO needs to be take care of. It takes one full day and night to publish the book without making any mistake in correct and factual form.
The PRO also requires to make sure people who are doing the commentary gets their scripts on time and division of the parts as in who will speak what between different people and also between Hindi and English speakers. And also to ensure whatever is written is correctly read and actual act of commentary goes smoothly.

Imphal Times: How many people give the commentary?
Ajay: For this year there were total of six people doing the commentary. They were Retd. Colonel Anil Nair, who has been doing the commentary for the last eight to nine years, Officer Group Captain, Sujata Tiwari, who has been doing this commentary for almost eleven years, Mrs. Manisha Dubey, Flight Lieutenant Arprita, Mr. OP Das, News Reporter, Doordarshan and Mr. Arun Hora who conducts program in All India Radio.

Imphal Times: For the first time in history there was a lady officer from Manipur who unfurled the flag. Any comment.
Ajay: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is a firm believer of ‘Narya Shakti’ which means empowerment of women. Hence the theme of this year’s Republic day was ‘Narya Shakti.’ In the history of Republic day celebration for the first time, the complete contingents of all the three services, Navy, Airforce and Indian Army were led by women officers. And for the first time in history the national flag was unfurled by a lady officer, Lieutenant, Haobam Bella Devi from the very state of Manipur.
As soon as the Chief Guest and the President arrive there is a bodyguard who will escort the Chief Guest to the venue on a mounted horse. The CO of the PVG will stand in front of the dice on the road and gives the command. Simultaneously on his command the pipes and drum bands sitting opposite the dice plays the tune of our National Anthem. Then the 21 Gun Salute is presented by 8711 Field Battery and simultaneously Haobam Bella Devi unfurled the flag and the national anthem is played. Unfurling of the flag is of course one of the most prestigious event of Republic day.