President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 16, marking a significant institutional shift in how India’s highest constitutional space commemorates military service and sacrifice. The gallery is dedicated to all 21 recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award.
The inauguration on Vijay Diwas coincided with nationwide commemorations marking India’s victory in the 1971 war, linking national remembrance with recognition of individual acts of exceptional courage.
What is the Param Vir Dirgha?
The Param Vir Dirgha is a permanent gallery within Rashtrapati Bhavan that honours all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees since Independence. The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy during wartime.
According to official information, the gallery has been created to familiarise visitors with the lives and actions of soldiers who demonstrated extraordinary resolve under combat conditions, often at the cost of their own lives. Several recipients of the Param Vir Chakra were awarded the honour posthumously.
What stood in this corridor earlier?
Before its transformation, the corridor displayed portraits of British Aides-de-Camp from the colonial period. These portraits reflected institutional symbolism from an era when Rashtrapati Bhavan functioned as the seat of colonial authority.
The replacement of these portraits with those of Indian soldiers marks a deliberate shift towards commemorating India’s own military history and service ethos within the premises of the President’s official residence.
Why was Vijay Diwas chosen for the inauguration?
December 16 is observed annually as Vijay Diwas to mark India’s decisive victory in the 1971 war. The conflict ended with the surrender of Pakistani forces and led to the creation of Bangladesh.
By inaugurating the Param Vir Dirgha on this date, the ceremony connected national military victory with remembrance of individual gallantry across different conflicts involving the Indian armed forces.
What did President Murmu say on the occasion?
On Vijay Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation. In a message shared on X, she expressed gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces for safeguarding India’s sovereignty and honour.
She said Vijay Diwas remains a reminder of one of the most important chapters in India’s military history and noted that the sacrifices made during the 1971 war continue to inspire generations.
How does the gallery fit into broader remembrance efforts?
The Param Vir Dirgha forms part of wider institutional efforts to preserve military memory and make it accessible to visitors, including younger generations. By situating the gallery within Rashtrapati Bhavan, the initiative places military courage and service at the centre of national remembrance.
As India marked Vijay Diwas across the country with ceremonies and tributes, the inauguration of the Param Vir Dirgha added a permanent space dedicated to recognising the courage and duty of those awarded the Param Vir Chakra.