INDIA CELEBRATES 74TH REPUBLIC DAY
MILITARY, DIVERSITY, MARCHING BANDS, MADE IN INDIA WEAPONS SYSTEMS PUT ON DISPLAY
India showcased its military and cultural diversity in a colourful parade yesterday at the revamped colonial avenue in New Delhi to mark Republic Day, the anniversary of the day the country’s secular Constitution came into effect in 1950.
Several thousand people watched the parade from seats around Kartavya Path — or path of duty — braving the cold on a foggy morning in New Delhi, while millions more watched on television.
Known as Rajpath since independence, and as King’s Way during British colonial rule, the ceremonial central boulevard was renamed in September last year.
Accompanied by marching bands, troops from the country’s military, border and police forces paced in perfect synchronisation towards the dais where President Droupadi Murmu took the salute.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi was the chief guest for the event and 144 soldiers from the Arab nation’s armed forces also participated.
Minister Narendra Modi, chief of defence staff and the three service chiefs were also present at the parade, which featured more women in the military contingents.
Women power
The country’s rich and diverse heritage was showcased in vibrant tableaux from different states and ministries, highlighting the central theme of ‘nari shakti’ or women power.
The army’s tableaux comprised only locally made weapons, reflecting India’s drive to become more self-reliant in the defence sector.
The Made-in-India weapon systems showcased at the Republic Day parade included ammunition showcasing India’s indigenisation power such as the 105mm 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.
The event climaxed with a fly-past by 45 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, with Frenchmade Rafales, Russian-made Su-30s and the Indian-made Tejas fighter jets putting on an impressive aeronautical display.
The aircraft including old and modern jets and helicopters like Rafale, MiG-29, Su-30, Sukhoi-30 MKI Jaguar, C-130, C-17, Dornier, Dakota, LCH Prachanda, Apache, Sarang and AEW & C participated in the Fly Past.
Apart from this, there was a daring motorcycle display by the Corps of Signals Dare Devils team. The fighter jets Rafale, Sukhoi, MiG displayed various formations including Baj, Prachanda, Tiranga, Tangail, Vajrang, Garuda, Bhima, Amrit and Trishul over the Kartavya path which was witnessed around 65,000 attendees.
Along with this, the concluding Vertical Charlie manoeuvre was performed by the Rafale fighter aircraft of the Air Force. The function ended with the national anthem and the release of tricolor balloons.