Rishabh Singh Sambyal Opens Up on Motherly Bond With President Droupadi Murmu (Video)

Reflecting on his tenure at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal - who recently took premature retirement after 12 years in the Indian Army - has opened up about the deep maternal warmth he experienced while serving as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu. In a wide-ranging interview with Raj Shamani released on September 10, the former elite 4 Para Special Forces officer discussed the intensive protocols required to protect the head of state, while also sharing how the President’s nurturing presence helped heal a personal void during his years away from home.

A Maternal Bond at Rashtrapati Bhavan

For Major Sambyal, whose duties placed him in the inner circle of the President's daily life, the professional association evolved into an emotional anchor. Having spent years away from his own family due to military commitments, the officer found a comforting familiarity in President Murmu's demeanour. Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, Who Served as President Droupadi Murmu's ADC, Takes Early Retirement.

Watch Rishabh Singh Sambyal's Interview With Raj Shamani Here

"The first time I met the President, it felt like my mother was standing in front of me," Sambyal shared. "Since 2014, I've never lived with my mom. I always used to go back home for a couple of days, live with her and then again bye-bye for the next six or seven months, and then see her after six months," he added. Having spent three uninterrupted years closely assisting the President, he noted that her domestic and caring nature bridged that distance. "The nature she has was very homely. And I just built a connection. And the warmth which she showed upon us, to me and to all the ADCs, was wonderful. And it used to make me miss my mom," he added.

Rigorous Training and Operational Protocols

Beyond the personal rapport, the former ADC detailed the immense physical and mental endurance required to secure the President's itinerary. Safeguarding a head of state involves complete sanitisation of a one-kilometre radius, ensuring no unauthorised arms, metal objects, or threats compromise the zone. Describing the gruelling probation period for prospective ADCs, Sambyal explained, “During a probation, so you're roughly carrying around 80 to 70 kgs on yourself. You're deprived of water, you're deprived of food, and you're deprived of sleep for 30 to 40 days.”

Candidates undergo specialised observation evaluations under extreme fatigue. “And then, you are made to take a walk, roughly around a kilometre in a circular route. While you're doing this, in between random places, there are things kept, say for example we keep a helmet behind a tree, and when that finishes, there's a test: what did you observe? That is how we train,” he detailed. What Rishabh Singh Sambyal Said in His First Video After Taking Early Retirement.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Serving as the primary liaison between the President and key national offices requires constant vigilance and seamless coordination. Sambyal outlined the breadth of his daily mandates, managing both official executive functions and internal scheduling. "Everything. I would say presidential requirements, which can be official or unofficial. So we look after everything," he shared. "Say, for example, the President wishes to speak to the Prime Minister. She will call us, tell us that she wants to speak to the Prime Minister. So we will call up their people, I will speak to the Prime Minister, he is there…then she speaks," the former ADC said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2026 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).