India on Thursday displayed its military prowess and cultural diversity during the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path with special focus on ‘nari shakti (women empowerment)’ and ‘atmanirbharta (self-reliance)’ in Defence production. ‘Agniveers’ took part in the parade for the first time since the Aginpath scheme for recruitment in the armed forces was launched in June last year.
President Droupadi Murmu took the salute and Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the chief guest. A marching contingent from his country also took part in the parade to celebrate the 74th Republic Day of India.
A group of ‘Shramyogis’ involved in the construction of the Central Vista, the Kartavya Path, and the new Parliament Building, along with milk, vegetable, and street vendors were specially invited for the parade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sporting a colourful Rajasthani turban, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several central ministers were present at the Kartavya Path during the nearly 90 minute long parade which ended with a thrilling fly past by fighter jets including Rafales and SU-30s.
Before the parade commenced, the Prime Minister paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial. Rajnath along with the three Services chiefs were also present at the solemn ceremony.
The proceedings at the Kartavaya Path began at 10.30 am as the national flag was unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.
The ceremonial salute this year was given with 105-mm Indian field guns, which replaced the vintage 25-pounder guns, reflecting upon the growing 'aatmanirbharta' in defence. The duration of the gun salute matches with the length of the national anthem. This year’s parade commander by Lt General Dhiraj Seth.
Shallow fog lowered visibility at the Kartavya Path as spectators strained their eyes to watch aerial manoeuvres by a battery of 50 aircraft, including 45 from the Indian Air Force (IAF). They flew in different formations such as 'Bheem', 'Vajraang', 'Baaz', 'Tiranga', 'Garuda', 'Amrit' and 'Trishul'.
The fly-past included MiG-29, Su-30 MKI and Rafale fighters as well as C-130 Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster transport planes. The Navy's IL-38 was also showcased at the event for the first and perhaps the last time.
IL-38 is a maritime reconnaissance aircraft of the Indian Navy that has served for nearly 42 years. The IL-38 is likely to be de-commissioned by the end of this year. The military assets which were displayed during the parade included made-in-India equipment. The main battle tank Arjun, the Nag Missile System (NAMIS) and the K-9 Vajra were also showcased. With 'Nari Shakti' being the theme, the Akash weapon system display had Lt Chetana Sharma at the forefront.
The marching contingents from the Army included one each from the mechanised infantry, the Dogra Regiment, the Punjab Regiment, the Maratha Light Infantry, the Bihar Regiment and the Gorkha Brigade. A camel band from the Border Security Force(BSF) also took part in the parade with women forming part of the team for the first time.
Lt Commander Disha Amrith, a woman naval air operations official posted at a strategic base, led the Indian Navy's contingent of 144 young sailors. The naval tableau, designed on the theme 'Indian Navy - Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof', showcased the multi-dimensional capabilities of the force, 'Nari Shakti' and key indigenously designed and built assets.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased one tableau and equipment. The theme of the tableau was 'Securing Nation with Effective Surveillance, Communication and Neutralising Threats'. Indigenously-developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), a modular 8X8 wheeled combat platform, carried on a 70-ton trailer was displayed by the DRDO. Three Param Vir Chakra awardees and three Ashok Chkara awardees also took part in the parade, and a 'veterans tableau' with the theme -- 'Towards India's Amrit Kaal with a Resolve of Veterans' Commitment' was also part of it.
The IAF contingent comprising 144 air warriors and four officers, was led by Squadron Leader 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.
A total of 23 tableaux -- 17 from states and union territories and six from various ministries and departments -- depicting India's vibrant cultural heritage, economic and social progress took part in the ceremonial parade with 'Nari Shakti' as the theme for majority of the floats.
An all-women contingent from CRPF- 'Peacekeepers of the Nation', led by Assistant Commandant Poonam Gupta marched down the Kartavya Path. The Force has the distinction of raising the first-ever women-armed police battalion in the world. “Nari shakti” and women empowerment dominated the theme of tableaux of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Tripura at the parade. Corps of Signals Dare Devils team mesmerised the audience with their performance. 33 Dare Devils make 'Human Pyramid' on nine motorcycles on Kartavya Path.