As tanks, missiles, marching contingents and cultural tab tableaux showed India’s military might and diversity, the clips of the Republic Day’s parade left the country in awe.

The Republic Day celebrations in Delhi began with President Droupadi Murmu unfurling the national flag as per tradition, followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.

Among the many firsts, this time were - an all-woman marching contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force, a combined band and marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces, the ceremonial salute with 105-mm Indian field guns, and Agniveers from the first batch of the new armed forces recruitment scheme.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi joined a select group of world leaders to grace India’s Republic Day celebrations. Sisi, as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, watched the colourful parade at the majestic Kartavya Path along with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders.

It was the first time that an Egyptian president is a chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. Marching down the Kartavya Path for the first time is the combined Band & Marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces the contingent consists of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed forces.

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’.

This year, only Made-in-India weapon systems were showcased at the Republic Day parade including ammunition showcased India’s indigenization power, including 21-Gun Salute through ‘Made in India’ 105 mm Indian Field Guns, recently inducted LCH Prachand, the K-9 Vajra howitzers, MBT Arjun, Nag anti-tank guided missiles, Akash air defence missiles, and the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles.

Twenty-three tableaux — 17 from states and Union territories and six from various ministries and departments — depicting India’s vibrant cultural heritage, and economic and social progress were part of the parade on the Kartavya Path. While states displayed their vibrant cultures, ‘Nari Shakti’ depicted in Central Armed Police Force’s tableau at the 74th Republic Day parade

The most important and celebrated event in Bengal’s festival calendar and one of the biggest annual extravaganzas in the world, the Durga Puja was seen in West Bengal’s tableau.

Uttar Pradesh’s tableau which rolled down the Kartavya Path during the 74th Republic Day parade depicted Lord Ram and Goddess Sita being welcomed by the people of Ayodhya on their return from exile, and the Deepotsav celebrations in the temple town.

Bedecked with colourful flowers, the CPWD’s tableau at the Republic Day parade depicted biodiversity conservation, including the reintroduction of cheetah in India 70 years after the spotted feline went extinct from the country.

The front part of the tableau showcased Cheetah, the only large carnivore that got completely wiped out from the country in 1952 due to overhunting and habitat loss.

Known as the land of the rising sun, Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday showcased its tourism potential at the Republic Day parade. The tableau of the state displayed the potential for tourism in the fields of adventure, sports, ecology, culture, religion, history and archaeology.

Jharkhand’s tableau showcased legendary tribal hero Birsa Munda and the famous Baidyanath Temple. The tableau was decked with paintings on its side panels at the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path.

Image Source: Deccan Herald