Here is a glimpse:
First Woman Officer to Salute the President
It was for the first time that a lady officer saluted the President, sitting on a 12-foot ladder mounted on a moving motorcycle. The lady officer belonged to the Army’s Corps of Signals known as “The Dare Devils” and saluted the President Droupadi Murmu with poise and precision, as if the daredevils of the Indian Army were saluting their President.
Tri-Services Tableau
The tri-services tableau marked a first in the Republic Day celebrations. This was a parade with an outstanding feature: a tableau that demonstrated the integrated operations of the Indian armed forces with land, water, and air operations in complete harmony. Features included the Arjun battle tank, Tejas fighter aircraft, and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The theme of the tableau, “Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat” (Strong and Secure India), summarised the theme of nation-wide focus on defense integration.
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Launch of Pralay Missile
India’s indigenous short-range ballistic missile, Pralay, was unveiled for the first time in public at the parade. The DRDO has developed this missile to carry both conventional and nuclear payloads with a range of 150-500 km. With Pralay, along with other defense systems such as Akash, BrahMos, and Pinaka, India is proving its growing capabilities in defense.
SANJAY: A Step Forward in Battlefield Surveillance
SANJAY, an automated battlefield surveillance system integrating inputs from ground and aerial battlefield sensors, was also out in the field. It marks a significant jump in India’s military technology-a step further in realising technological advances for the security of the nation.
Indonesian Contingent at Republic Day
For the first time, India hosted a 352-member contingent from Indonesia, which marked a historic moment in the Republic Day celebrations. This contingent included marching soldiers and a military band, which underlined the strengthening bilateral ties between India and Indonesia. Indonesia’s participation as a foreign contingent reflects the growing cooperation between the two countries.
A Cultural Tribute to India’s Heritage
For the first time in the Republic Day celebrations this year, there was an unparalleled cultural performance spread over the length and breadth of the Kartavya Path. Over 5,000 folk and tribal artists showcased 45 dance forms from across the country on the ceremonial boulevard, running the entire length of the stretch. The 11-minute performance, “Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam,” was a tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary. Choreographed as a tribute, the dance form brought to life India’s rich legacy of folk and tribal traditions and underscored the diversity of the nation as well as cultural unity.
School Bands Shine at Republic Day Parade
In a spectacular move, three all-girl bands in government schools opened the parade by performing here for the first time. Pipe Band Girls Team hails from the PM Shri Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya from Jharkhand, comprising girls drawn from deprived family backgrounds. It marked the maiden travel to Delhi of many such girls, hence adding a touching resilience and success element to it.
The Innovations of the DRDO
The DRDO’s tableau was themed ‘Raksha Kavach – Multi-layer Protection Against Multi-domain Threats.’ It depicted a wide array of cutting-edge technologies, from the quick reaction surface-to-air missile to the airborne early warning system and even laser-based directed-energy weapons. These developments epitomised India’s multi-layered defense protection against emerging threats.
Tributes to Valiant Soldiers
Recognition of India’s war heroes also took place in the Republic Day parade. Among the parade contingents were the Param Vir Chakra awardees Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, who are war heroes of the Kargil war. The Ashok Chakra awardee Lieutenant Colonel Jas Ram Singh also participated in the parade. This shows the nation’s respect and gratitude towards its brave soldiers.
A Proud Moment for the Nation
President Droupadi Murmu kicked off the celebrations riding in a horse-drawn buggy. The parade was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and foreign diplomats apart from a vast crowd. There was a spectacular flypast including helicopters and fighter jets, a display of Indian aviation and defense systems.
The parade of India’s 76th Republic Day was a thunderous assertion of its military power, cultural gaiety, and technological advancements. It symbolised India’s commitment to security, progress, and unity in diversity as the nation celebrated 75 years of the enactment of its Constitution.