As India celebrates its 74th Republic Day, the New Indian Special Correspondent Alok Singh and Video Journalist Sumit Kumar bring snapshots from the grand parade marching down Kartavya Path, earlier known as Rajpath.
This will be the first parade on the refurbished ceremonial lane. The parade, which shows India’s military might and cultural diversity began at 10.30 am.
Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is the Chief Guest this year.
India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. President Sisi will also have a bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister on bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will also call on President Sisi.
India and Egypt enjoy warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural, and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties. A visit will also deepen the economic ties between the two countries as last year bilateral trade between India and Egypt achieved a record high of USD 7.26 billion.
The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt.
State tableaux
The Minister of Defence on January 22 announced that 17 states and union territories, such as West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Jammu & Kashmir, will display their tableaux at Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.
The Assam tableaux put prominently featured the iconic general from the state Lachit Barphukan — Ahom commander, known for his leadership in the Battle of Saraighat that thwarted an invasion by Mughal forces.
This year the state tableaux have to showcase elements relevant to their state/ UT/ department, within the broad theme of 75 years of India’s Independence, the International Year of Millets and ‘Nari Shakti’.
Many firsts
This R-day boasts of many firsts. This is the first parade down Kartavya Path, a ceremonial lane running from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill through Vijay Chowk and India Gate, National War Memorial to National Stadium. It was earlier known as Rajpath.
The women officers of the Indian Army will be leading missile contingents and riding motorcycles as part of the famous Daredevils team at this year’s parade. Among them, lieutenant Chetana Sharma will be leading the ‘Made in India’ Akash surface-to-air missile system.
Lt Commander Disha Amrith will lead a 144-member naval contingent at the parade. The naval tableau’s central theme is Nari Shakti. Women soldiers guarding the desert border with Pakistan will also be a part of the Border Security Force’s (BSF) camel contingent this year.