All the ‘firsts’ at Republic Day Parade 2024

This year, President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron arrived at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi in a ‘traditional buggy’.

The horse-drawn buggy had previously been used to bring the President from Rashtrapati Bhavan to Raj Path, but the tradition was discontinued about 40 years ago. Instead, a sedan had been used in previous years.

📌 First all-women tri-service contingent

The much-anticipated first-ever all-women tri-service contingent marched down the Kartavya Path today. The contingent was led by Captain Sandhya of Military Police, with three supernumerary officers Captain Sharanya Rao, Sub Lieutenant Anshu Yadav and Flight Lieutenant Shrishti Rao.

An all-women Armed Forces Medical Services contingent, headed by Major Srishti Khullar with Captain Amba Samant of Army Dental Corps, Surgeon Lieutenant Kanchana of Indian Navy and Flight Lieutenant Dhivya Priya of Indian Air Force were also present.

“Women pilots will also enthrall the audience during the Fly-past, representing Nari Shakti. The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel,” as per an official statement.

📌 Over 100 women artists herald the parade

This year’s Republic Day parade was heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments, as per an official statement. Sankh, Naadswaram, and Nagada were among the instruments used by the artists. The musical instruments replaced the traditional military bands that are normally used to kickstart the celebrations.

Clad in red sarees and golden blouses, with turbans in the colour of the Indian national flag, the band of 112 women artists played a variety of folk and tribal percussion instruments. As per an ANI report, 20 artists played Dhol and Tasha of Maharashtra, 16 artists played Dappu of Telangana, 16 artists gave beat on Dhak and Dhol of West Bengal, 8 artists from West Bengal blew conch shells, 10 artists have Chenda in their hands, 30 artists played Dholu Kunitha of Karnataka, and four artistes each handled Nadaswaram, Tutari, and Cymbals.

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