Their happiness knew no bounds when a tribal couple from a remote Odisha village came to know that they have been invited to New Delhi for the Republic Day parade this year.
Niranjan Wadeka and Hundadi Wadeka, the Dongria Kondh couple, from Khambesi village under Bissam Cuttack block in Rayagada district are among the chosen few.
They are among the 40 tribal invitees from across the country who will witness the grand show of India’s military might and a series of tableaux highlighting the country’s cultural diversity at the January 26 parade.
They will stay in the national capital till February 2 and are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Teen Murti Bhawan premises after witnessing the grand parade. President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari are also slated to felicitate the tribal couple.
“We are elated to have been chosen to be the guests at the Republic Day parade. I would brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the Dongria culture during our meeting with him,” an elated Niranjan expressed.
It may be recalled that a Bonda couple, Dhabalu Sisa and his wife Samari from Bandiguda under Mudulipada gram panchayat from remote Malkangiri district, was invited for the Republic Day parade last year.