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Journalism of Courage
India’s 76th Republic Day was marked on Sunday, with the annual parade in New Delhi showcasing various states’ cultural diversity through tableaux and dances, along with the country’s military prowess.
As happens every year, the parade was attended by the President, the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and senior members of the government. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest. Here are four notable moments:
The President of India and her Indonesian counterpart were escorted by the President’s Bodyguard, the seniormost Regiment of the Indian Army, at the beginning of the day in a traditional buggy. Between 1984 and 2024, the President’s black limousines were used for the movement. But in 2024, Murmu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in a black traditional buggy.
According to a PTI report, the gold-plated, horse-drawn buggy is a black carriage with the national emblem embossed on it in gold. It had been used for Republic Day functions till 1984 but was discontinued after the assassination of the then-prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Every year, a few states (as well as government departments and ministries) are selected to display their cultural heritage and landscape through tableaux. Though many more submit the applications, the Ministry of Defence is tasked with giving the final approval to a select few.
This year’s tableaux included one on the ongoing Kumbh Mela (by Uttar Pradesh), showing sadhus and samudra manthan – the legend of the churning of the ocean that is believed to have resulted in amrit (elixir of immortality). Madhya Pradesh had cheetahs, representing the revival project for the big cats, situated in the state’s Kuno wildlife sanctuary. The theme of Andhra Pradesh’s tableau was ‘Etikoppaka Bommalu,’ featuring eco-friendly wooden toys.
For the first time, a Tri-services tableau was displayed with the theme ‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’ (strong and secure India). It showed a Joint Operations Room facilitating networking and communication among the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
A PIB release said its battlefield scenario, demonstrating a synchronised operation in land, water and air, featured the “indigenous Arjun Main Battle Tank, Tejas MKII fighter aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, destroyer INS Visakhapatnam & a Remotely Piloted Aircraft, reflecting the Tri-services synergy in multi-domain operations.”
Some Republic Day parades feature foreign contingents, usually from the chief guest’s country. This practice started in 2016 when French President François Hollande was invited.
A 76-member contingent of the French Army’s 35th Infantry Regiment, one of the oldest regiments in France, marched down Kartavya Path. Forty-eight members of ‘The Music of the Infantry’, a ceremonial band based in Lyon in France, played two military tunes at the parade, PTI reported then.
This year marked the first time an Indonesian contingent participated in the parade, with a 352-member marching and band contingent.
