Meet Captain Samira Buttar: Recently Lost Her Father, Yet Chose Duty to Lead on Republic Day
As the nation readies to rise in applause along Kartavya Path on Republic Day, Captain Samira Buttar of the Indian Army will march at the head of her contingent carrying more than command. She will carry memory, loss, and an unshakeable sense of duty.
The Contingent Commander of the Integrated Operations Centre tableau at the 77th Republic Day Parade, Captain Buttar stands as a living embodiment of the Army’s timeless creed Service Before Self. A fourth-generation officer, she steps into this moment of national pride while mourning the recent loss of her father, Col Sarabjeet Singh Buttar (retd). Yet, even in grief, she chose to lead.
“Being a contingent commander during this Republic Day Parade is a tribute to my father,” she says words shaped by weeks of relentless practice, quiet perseverance, and resolve.
Speaking to UNI, Captain Buttar, granddaughter of Maha Vir Chakra awardee Brigadier Sampuran Singh Buttar (retd) of 19 Punjab Regiment, reflected on a family legacy where duty runs deep. “I always wanted to join the forces since childhood. To be the contingent commander of a tableau that pays an ode to the success of Operation Sindoor is nothing short of a dream for any officer,” said the Chandigarh-born Army officer.
This Republic Day will be especially poignant. Her family will not be present on Kartavya Path due to the recent bereavement. “They won’t be able to attend the parade,” she said softly. “But I am sure my father would be cheering me on from above, just as he always did.” Her great-grandfather, Risaldar Major Rattan Singh, too served the nation in the cavalry another chapter in a lineage defined by service.
Explaining the theme of the tableau, Captain Buttar shared, “The Integrated Operations Centre showcases the success of Operation Sindoor. It was a true whole-of-nation effort uniting strong political will, the Armed Forces, and the people of India. It reflects our integration, preparedness, and indigenous capability, and truly symbolises an Atmanirbhar Indian Army.”
Day after day, she has trained with unwavering focus transforming sorrow into strength and honouring both her family’s legacy and the uniform she wears. In her steady stride and measured command lies a powerful reminder: the spirit of the Indian Army endures, even in its most human moments.
