India’s military prowess, women’s empowerment blend at 74th Republic Day Parade
New Delhi. Even the weather gods were kind as India seamlessly combined its military prowess, its efforts at women’s empowerment, and cultural ethos at the 74th Republic Day Parade on January 26 with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute for the first time as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi as the Chief Guest.
Inspiring, impressive military ceremonies marked the Republic Day all over the country.
As President Murmu noted in her address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, the day the Constitution came into effect to the present day, “it has been an amazing journey that has inspired many other nations”.
“Every citizen has reason to be proud of the Indian story. When we celebrate the Republic Day, we celebrate what we have achieved, together, as a nation.
“India is, of course, home to one of the oldest living civilisations. India is called the mother of democracy. As a modern Republic, however, we are young. In the early years of Independence, we faced countless challenges and adversities. Very high levels of poverty and illiteracy were just two of the many ill-effects of the long foreign rule.
“Yet, the spirit of India was undeterred. With hope and confidence, we began an experiment unique in the history of humankind. Such a vast and diverse multitude of people coming together as one nation remains unprecedented. We did so with a belief that we are, after all, one; that we are all Indians. We have succeeded as a democratic republic because so many creeds and so many languages have not divided us, they have only united us. That is the essence of India,” Murmu said in her address.
This spirit was very much in evidence as the jam-packed audience on Kartavya Path cheered every move as the contingents moved past the saluting base.
What was noticeable was the emphasis on women’s empowerment as seven of the 17 tableaux on displayed focused on this while a number of marching contingents were made up of women – a pointer to their growing role in the affairs of the nation.
Republic Day dawned gloomy leading to apprehensions that the flypast that brings down the curtain on the event could be cancelled but the skies gradually cleared for a curtailed flypast to take place.
The event began with Prime Minister Narinder Modi driving down Kartavya Path to the National War Memorial to pay homage to India’s fallen heroes in various wars and then returning to the Saluting Base to receive President Murmu and her Egyptian counterpart.
As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. Amongst the many firsts, the 21-gun salute will be given with 105-mm Indian Field Guns that replace the vintage 25 pounder gun, reflecting upon the growing ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.
The parade was commanded by Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, a second-generation Army officer. Major General Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area was be the Second-in-Command.
The proud winners of the highest gallantry awards followed. They include the winners of Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra. Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Bana Singh, 8 JAK LI (Retd); Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers (Retd) & Subedar (Honorary Lieutenant) Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles and Ashok Chakra winners Major General CA Pithawalla (Retd); Colonel D Sreeram Kumar and Lieutenant Colonel Jas Ram Singh (Retd) followed the Deputy Parade Commander on Jeeps.
Marching down the Kartavya Path for the first time was the combined Band & Marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces, led by Colonel Mahmoud Mohamed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawy. The contingent consisted of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
Indian Army Contingents
The first contingent in the uniform of the 61 Cavalry was led by Captain Raizada Shaurya Bali. The 61 Cavalry is the only serving active Horse Cavalry Regiment in the world, with the amalgamation of all the ‘State Horse Units’.
The Indian Army was also represented by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, nine Mechanised Columns, six marching contingents and a fly past by Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) of Army Aviation Corps. Main Battle Tank ARJUN, NAG Missile System (NAMIS), Infantry Combat Vehicle of BMP-2 SARATH, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle, K-9 Vajra-tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer Gun, BrahMos missile, 10m Short Span Bridge, Mobile Microwave Node & Mobile Network Centre and AKASH (New Generation Equipment) were the main attractions in the mechanised columns.
A total of six marching contingents of the Army, including The Mechanised Infantry Regiment, The Punjab Regiment, The Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, The Dogra Regiment, The Bihar Regiment and The Gorkha Brigade marched past the saluting dais.
Veterans’ Tableau
Another highlight of the parade this year was the Veterans’ Tableau, with the theme ‘Towards India’s Amrit Kaal with Resolve – A Veterans’ Commitment’. It provided a glimpse of veterans’ contributions in the last 75 years and their initiatives in shaping India’s future during ‘Amrit Kaal’.
Indian Navy Contingent
The Indian Navy contingent comprised 144 young sailors, led by Lt Cdr Disha Amrith. For the first time, the contingent consisted of three women and six Agniveers. It was followed by the Naval Tableau, designed on the theme ‘Indian Navy – Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof’.
Indian Air Force Contingent
The Indian Air Force contingent comprised 144 air warriors and four officers, led by Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy. The Air Force tableau, designed on the theme ‘Indian Air Force Power Beyond Boundaries’, displayed a rotating globe highlighting IAF’s expanded reach, whereby it has been able to provide humanitarian assistance across borders, as also exercises conducted with friendly countries.
DRDO Tableau & Equipment
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased a tableau and equipment on the theme ‘Securing Nation with Effective Surveillance, Communication and Neutralising Threats’.
Indian Coast Guard Contingent
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) marching contingent was led by Deputy Commandant Rohit Singh. The ICG, with 157 ships and 78 aircraft, is capable of countering threats at and to the sea. The continuous vigil of the ICG has enabled seizure of contraband worth over Rs 14,546 crore since its inception, including Rs 2,620 crore in 2022 alone. Its reach and capability was demonstrated during the flag hoisting on 100 inhabited & un-inhabited far-flung islands as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The ICG has been a pioneer in women empowerment, offering opportunities to women officers in all spheres.
Contingents of CRPF & Delhi Police
Also marching down Kartavya Path were the contingents of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) led by Assistant Commandant Poonam Gupta; Railway Protection Force led by Assistant Security Commissioner Saurav Kumar and Delhi Police led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Shweta S Sugathan.
The Camel Contingent of Border Security Force (BSF) marched past the saluting dais under the command of Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh Kheechee. For the first time, female camel riders participated in the parade, showcasing women’s empowerment in various fields.
NCC Contingents
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Boys Marching contingent, comprising 148 Senior Division cadets, was led by Senior Under Officer Pujari Sivanand of the Maharashtra Directorate. Senior Under Officer Sonali Sahoo of Odisha Directorate headed the NCC Girls Marching contingent, consisting of 148 Senior Division Cadets drawn from all 17 Directorates.
National Service Scheme contingent
The marching contingent of National Service Scheme (NSS), comprising 148 volunteers, marched under the command of Aanchal Sharma from Himachal Pradesh, Regional Directorate of NSS, Chandigarh.
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar winners
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are conferred on children with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievement in the fields of bravery, art & culture, sports, innovation and social service. Eleven winning children, in jeeps, were driven down Kartavya Path.
Tableaux of States/UTs & Ministries/Departments
Twenty-three tableaux – 17 from States/Union Territories and six from various Ministries/Departments, depicting the nation’s rich cultural heritage, economic progress and strong internal and external security also roll down the Kartavya Path.
Cultural Performance
Cultural performances by 479 artists chosen through the nation-wide Vande Bharatam dance competition added colour and groove to the Republic Day parade. The theme of the cultural extravaganza was ‘Nari Shakti’ presented by 326 female dancers, ably supported by 153 male dancers, of age group 17-30 years. They presented classical, folk and contemporary fusion dances, depicting the ‘Power of Women’ through five elements Earth, Water, Air, Space and Fire. This is the second time that the dancers of the cultural programme have been selected through a Nation-wide competition.
Motorcycle Display
Another highlight of the show was a thrilling motorcycle display by Corps of Signals’ Dare Devils team. They enthralled the audience with an array of formations, which also include a Yoga display.
Special Invitees
This year, invites were sent to common people from all walks of the society such as Shramyogis involved in construction of Central Vista, Kartavya Path, New Parliament Building, milk, vegetable vendors, and street vendors etc. These special invitees were prominently seated at Kartavya Path.
(Pics: Doordarshan – TV Grab)
