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From the grand flypast of 75 aircrafts to cultural performances of 480 dancers, besides tableaux focussing on various themes such as biodiversity of Maharashtra and Indian education system’s transition from the Vedas to the Metaverse — amid the pandemic, the 73rd Republic Day Parade on Wednesday had a lot to offer to spectators in terms of India’s military might and cultural diversity.
For the first time, TV viewers also got to see a live telecast that featured aerial shots of the flypast and images from the pilot’s cockpit on the public broadcaster, Doordarshan.
Women at forefront
The event also saw women bravehearts being featured in varied ways. While the country’s first woman fighter pilot on the Rafale combat aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, was part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) tableau, Border Security Force’s all-women motorcycle team, Seema Bhawani, performed amazing stunts at the Rajpath. Meghalaya’s tableau not only celebrated 50 years of Statehood, but also depicted the success story of women-led Self Help Groups and Co-operative societies.
Military prowess
The Indian Army’s marching contingents displayed the evolution of uniform, personnel and weapons over the last 75 years. While the Parachute Regiment donned the new Combat Uniform of the Indian Army, the contingent of the Rajput Regiment wore the uniform of 1947.
Similarly, the Assam Regiment’s contingent was seen in the uniform worn during 1962 and the Jammu & Kashmir Light Regiment donned the uniform worn during 1971. The first contingent to march at the parade in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers was the 61 Cavalry, which is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world.
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Tableaux of 12 States and Union Territories and nine ministries and government departments, which were prepared on various themes under ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, were part of the parade. While Arunachal Pradesh’s tableau put the spotlight on the Anglo-Abor wars, Haryana’s tableau showcased the State’s prowess in sports.
Showcasing its contribution to the Indian freedom struggle, Punjab’s tableau paid homage to freedom fighters Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. Others included Uttar Pradesh’s tableau focussing on the development of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi, among others. The Education Ministry’s tableau featured the National Education Policy, and how the Indian education system has been bridging the past with the present, from Vedas to the Metaverse, and creating a new future-embracing technology.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with President Ram Nath Kovind bids farewell to Virat, a horse from the President’s bodyguard that has participated on many Republic Day parades, at the Rajpath during 73rd Republic Day parade in New Delhi, on Wednesday | Photo Credit: KAMAL NARANG
Adios Virat
One of the heartwarming moments that got social media users talking were images of dignitaries with Virat, a horse that served with the President’s Bodyguard. The lead steed retired from service after participating in 13 consecutive Republic Day parades and was also recently awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Medal.
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