It was a proud couple of days for women in India starting from Wing Commander Puja Thakur leading the Guard of Honour on Sunday to scores of women marching confidently with their contingents on the historical Rajpath on Monday. Women empowerment — the theme of the 66th Republic Day celebration — was reflected through the whole gamut of the parade, which enthralled everyone like never before.
Women officers leading the marching contingents of the three divisions of Indian Armed Forces drew attention of the US first couple witnessing the ceremony. The National Security Council of the United States tweeted to describe the event as a ‘proud moment’. Women present on either sides of the majestic Rajpath were filled with a sense of honour, pride and emotion as Michelle Obama gave a standing ovation delighted as she was to see the women upfront and empowered.
From the second that the chief guest for the 66th Republic Day landed in the national Capital, women have been the highlight of this significant event strengthening the Indo-US ties. With the slogan of Nari Shakti, the parade on Monday was a show-stealer with the exceptional participation of women officers and cadets while also projecting various social campaigns started by the Government in favour of women.
Starting with the tableau showing Mount Everest women summiteers where five daredevil Everesters of the Indian Army and three of the India Air Force put down an incredible mark of women empowerment in the pages of history, the show only proceeded to shower accolades over women in every field. For the first time in the history of India, a contingent of women officers and cadets from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) marched with poise led by Captain Divya Ajith following which the Naval marching contingent of 144 young sailors, who were freshly passed out recruits from the INS Chilka, were led by lieutenant Commander Sandhya Chauhan. This was trailed by a tableau on Indian Navy and Nari Shakti led by
lt Cdr Swetha Kapoor and lt Varthika Joshi. The women contingents of Air Force and Army marching proudly from Raisina Hill to the India Gate too left the crowd ecstatic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign that seeks to stop female foeticide and promote girl child education too found resonance at the parade, as chants of ‘Congratulations, it’s a baby girl’ rented the air.
The girls’ NCC band added to the youth power, playing the tune Sare Jahan Se Achha as the US First lady clapped and cheered along. The National Service Scheme (NSS) marching contingent comprising 148 volunteers, including boys and girls, dressed in grey uniform and sporting white feather, were led by Khushboo Narayan Joshi of the University of Mumbai.