Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Pune's Lt Col Leads Guard of Honour for World Leaders
Lt Col Harshavardhan Dhekane from Pune recently led the Guard of Honour for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He has also led the Guard of Honour for five other world leaders.
Harshavardhan completed his education in Pune and was inspired to join the army by his uncle who served in the military.
He has been in the Indian Army for 18 years and has served in various regions including the Himalayas, Manipur, Assam, and Congo.
A Guard of Honour is a special ceremony to welcome important visitors to India.
Lt Col Harshavardhan Dhekane from Pune led the Guard of Honour for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He has previously led the Guard of Honour for five other world leaders including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font, Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, and Philippine President Ferdinand Bongbong Romualdez Marcos Jr.
Harshavardhan completed his schooling and college in Pune and was inspired to join the army by his uncle's military service.
He has served in the Indian Army for 18 years, including assignments in the Himalayas, Manipur, Assam, and Congo.
The Guard of Honour is a ceremonial event to welcome visiting presidents and prime ministers to India.
- Who
- Lt Col Harshavardhan Dhekane, a Pune native
- What
- Led Guard of Honour for Russian President Vladimir Putin and five other world leaders
- When
- Recent visit of Vladimir Putin to India
- Where
- Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
- Why
- To honor visiting presidents and prime ministers of India
- Name
- Lt Col Harshavardhan Dhekane
- Hometown
- Pune, India
- Education
- Modern College, Pune
- Military Service
- Indian Army, Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)
- Notable Achievements
- Led Guard of Honour for 6 world leaders
- Inspiration
- Uncle's military service
- Years of Service
- 18 years
- Previous Assignments
- Himalayas, Manipur, Assam, Congo