In a first, the Republic Day parade on Thursday witnessed a contingent of all-women-armed police battalion of CRPF. (Express)India’s 74th Republic Day Parade Highlights: As many as 23 tableaux, 17 from states and Union Territories and six from various ministries and departments, rolled down the Kartavya Path as part of the Republic Day parade showing a plethora of cultures from across India and bringing the boulevard alive with song and dance. As the spectacle came to an end, Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi greeted the crowd amid cheers, after bidding adieu to President Droupadi Murmu and her Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the chief guest at the event.
The parade was kicked off in Delhi by the guest contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces, followed by a show of strength by the Armed Forces. Made-in-India weapons were on display at the parade this year. Breaking from tradition, in a bid to get rid of colonial vestiges, an indigenous 105-mm Indian Field Guns (IFG) offered the 21-gun salute to President Murmu. In another first, the parade witnessed a contingent of women armed police battalion of CRPF. The BSF’s camel band and Delhi Police’s band also saw women constables participating for the first time.
This was also the first time an Egyptian president had been invited to be the chief guest of the event. Earlier, PM Modi paid tributes to martyrs at the National War Memorial. He was welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Extending his greetings to the nation on the 74th Republic Day, PM Modi earlier said, “We wish to move ahead unitedly to make the dreams of the great freedom fighters of the country come true.”
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Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-SiSi arrives at the Palam Air Force station in New Delhi on January 24. (Express photo: Anil Sharma)
With a 144-member contingent of the Egyptian Army, ‘daredevils’ who stood on ladders atop moving motorcycles, and 479 artistes dancing together, the 74th Republic Day parade made its way down Kartavya Path on Thursday.
Invites to the event could be downloaded and the QR codes on phones were scanned at entry gates. Bleachers were placed for guests on the lawns that flank the revamped Kartavya Path stretch, and around 45,000 people were expected to have attended the event. Abhinaya Harigovind writes
As the country celebrates the 73rd anniversary of Republic Day, the nation painfully notes the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s use of Golwalkar’s formulation that Hindus are at war for a thousand years against an external and internal enemy. The idea of the republic enshrined in the Constitution expresses the resolve of the people of India to co-exist in the spirit of reconciliation, understanding and accommodation. In a country where several languages are spoken, people profess different faiths and ways of life differ, this emphasis on fraternity is salutary. The notion of a section of the population engaged in war in the name of faith, and that too for a thousand years, is a negation of the vision of the Constitution — secularism is a part of its basic structure. D Raja writes
The Indian Constitution is standing on the precipice. It might be easy to lose sight of this important fact amidst the continuing salience of elections, the complex social and economic churning and the cultural rhythms that mark Indian society. Almost all the major tendencies that presage a constitutional decline are gaining ascendancy — charismatic populism, communal majoritarianism, partisan degradation, institutional extremism and control of civil society. Cumulatively, these forces degrade the core meaning of constitutionalism; that no one should be able to exercise power, especially arbitrary power, in the service of oppression, without being held accountable. Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes
India marked its 74th Republic Day on Thursday with a colourful parade while displaying a perfect blend of its military prowess and vibrant cultural heritage at the newly christened Kartavya Path (previously known as Rajpath) in New Delhi. The public holiday commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950. Here are top 10 points today
? In a first, a women’s contingent of the CRPF was one of the main highlights of the parade. Several other marching contingents, including the Delhi Police’s pipe band comprised 35 women constables. In the BSF camel contingent, for the first time, women camel riders participated on top of decorated camels.
? The Naval contingent, led by a woman officer, featured three women, and six Agniveers, who are soldiers in the first batch of the new armed forces recruitment scheme. The colourful tableaux, which are an integral part of the parade, also witnessed a life statue of a decorated woman soldier in ceremonial uniform in a saluting position. The tableaux paid tribute to all the gallant women soldiers working for the nation.
? Around 45,000 people attended the parade at Kartavya Path and amongst the invites were milk and vegetable vendors, street vendors, small grocery shopkeepers, rickshaw pullers, shramyogis of Central Vista with their families and maintenance workers on Kartavya Path. The celebration reflected the Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) vision of PM Modi.
The Ministry of Culture’s tableau, which rolled down Kartavya Path for the 74th Republic Day celebrations Thursday, showcased the power of the feminine divinity. The theme was ‘Shakti Rupena Samsthita’ and through art and dance forms, ‘Devi’ was celebrated, Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan said.
‘Nari Shakti’ was also the theme of the dance performance organised by the ministry, with 326 female and 153 male artists, as part of the Vande Bharatam programme, Mohan said. These 479 artists were chosen through a nationwide dance competition. The artists were in the age group of 17-30 years, and presented classical, folk and contemporary fusion dances, depicting the ‘power of women’ through five elements – earth, water, air, space and fire. Divya A writes
When was the Constitution of India written? The easy answer to this question is that it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on November 26, 1949 and came into effect on January 26, 1950. But the history of the Constitution of India dates back many decades and reforms, and in the process of the subcontinent being divided into three separate nations in the ensuing decades, what emerged were three different Constitutions, each borrowing from one another and yet reflective of the core values that shaped these individual nations. Adrija Roychowdhury and Mira Patel write
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for taking part in the 74th Republic Day celebrations which took place at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi. "I am grateful to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for gracing this year’s Republic Day celebrations with his august presence," Modi tweeted.
33 Corps of Signals’ Dare Devils formed the human pyramid as part of the Republic Day parade. (Express/Praveen Khanna)
In their Republic Day addresses, Chief Ministers across the country spoke about the Constitution and its message. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also spoke of “Chinese aggression” along the border, while his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma called the United Liberated Front of Asom (I) the “last mile” to peace in the state.
The deteriorating relationship between governors and state governments was on display too — Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, also known as KCR, did not attend an event on the occasion ,while DMK allies boycotted a high tea organised by Governor R N Ravi in Tamil Nadu. Read more
The Republic Day 2023 parade saw a spectacle of India’s military might and a plethora of cultures from across the country. The Indian Air Force showcased its array of vintage and modern aircraft comprising the Rafale jets, Sukhois, Apaches and Jaguars in the much-anticipated Fly-Past.
Though the cloudy skies played spoilsport for spectators on the ground at the Kartavya Path, videos supplied by the IAF of the jets in action show how the aircraft created these formations mid-flight: Watch videos here
As the spectacle came to an end, Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi greeted the crowd amid cheers, after bidding adieu to President Droupadi Murmu and her Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the chief guest at the event. (Express/Praveen Khanna)
The 74th Republic Day parade Thursday at the newly developed Kartavya Path, the revamped Rajpath, in New Delhi witnessed the participation of several women contingents, including those of Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Delhi Police and Indian Navy. The celebrations commenced with the homage ceremony at the National War Memorial where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tribute to fallen soldiers. Read more
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, along with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday watched the colorful parade at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi, on the occasion of Republic Day. (Express/Praveen Khanna)
Kareena Kaur (12) and Kirna Rani (13), two girls from Kaluwara village of Punjab’s Ferozepur district, who ride a boat daily across Sutlej river to reach the senior secondary school at Gatti Rajoke village, were honoured by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains at a district-level Republic Day programme in Ferozepur on Thursday.
In a report dated November 16 last year, The Indian Express had highlighted the story of the girls from Kaluwara, a village on the zero line of the India-Pakistan border in Ferozepur, who have to pull a rickety wooden boat (berhi) daily and then walk 4 km on foot to reach a senior secondary school at the nearby Gatti Rajoke village. Read more
When was the Constitution of India written? The easy answer to this question is that it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on November 26, 1949 and came into effect on January 26, 1950. But the history of the Constitution of India dates back many decades and reforms, and in the process of the subcontinent being divided into three separate nations in the ensuing decades, what emerged were three different Constitutions, each borrowing from one another and yet reflective of the core values that shaped these individual nations. To know more read Mira Patel and Adrija Roychowdhury's research piece here
The Ministry of Culture’s tableau, which rolled down Kartavya Path for the 74th Republic Day celebrations Thursday, showcased the power of the feminine divinity. The theme was ‘Shakti Rupena Samsthita’ and through art and dance forms, ‘Devi’ was celebrated, Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan said.
‘Nari Shakti’ was also the theme of the dance performance organised by the ministry, with 326 female and 153 male artists, as part of the Vande Bharatam programme, Mohan said. These 479 artists were chosen through a nationwide dance competition. The artists were in the age group of 17-30 years, and presented classical, folk and contemporary fusion dances, depicting the ‘power of women’ through five elements – earth, water, air, space and fire. Read more
The Republic Day 2023 parade saw a spectacle of India’s military might and a plethora of cultures from across the country. The Indian Air Force showcased its array of vintage and modern aircraft comprising the Rafale jets, Sukhois, Apaches and Jaguars in the much-anticipated Fly-Past.
Though the cloudy skies played spoilsport for spectators on the ground at the Kartavya Path, videos supplied by the IAF of the jets in action captured the essence of the parade’s grand finale. Watch here
The Republic Day celebration at Pehowa town in Haryana was marred by unruly scenes and sloganeering on Thursday as a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader voiced her protest against minister Sandeep Singh, who was the chief guest at the function.
Singh, the BJP minister of state (printing and stationery), has been booked in a sexual harassment case and various khaps in Haryana had protested the announcement that he would unfurl the national flag at Pehowa, his constituency.
On Thursday, as Singh, the former sports and youth affairs minister, was seated on stage, Sonia Duhan, the head of the NCP’s youth wing in Haryana, began shouting slogans. Witnessing the ruckus, police personnel tried to take Duhan away. Read more
The Republic Day parade this year saw the first-ever contingent of women-armed police battalion of the CRPF. The BSF's camel band also featured women constables for the first time. The Delhi police women's pope band comprising 35 women constables also participated for the first time.
"Nari shakti" and women empowerment dominated the theme of tableaux of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Tripura at the Republic Day parade.
In their Republic Day addresses, Chief Ministers across the country spoke about the Constitution and its message. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also spoke of “Chinese aggression” along the border, while his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma called the United Liberated Front of Asom (I) the “last mile” to peace in the state.
The deteriorating relationship between governors and state governments was on display too — Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, also known as KCR, did not attend an event on the occasion, while DMK allies boycotted a high tea organised by Governor R N Ravi in Tamil Nadu. Read more
Spectators could not fully enjoy the fly-past during the Republic Day parade at the Kartavya Path as a layer of fog lowered visibility levels to around 800 metres in the national capital on Thursday.
The fly past is one of the major attractions during the parade.
People kept their phone cameras open but faced trouble capturing aircraft formations due to the layer of fog and smoke cloaking the capital.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board data, Delhi's air quality index stood at 287 at 12 noon, rapidly worsening from 160 at 4 pm on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department said visibility levels stood at 600 metres at 7 am and improved to 800 metres by 11 am. (PTI)
In today’s (January 26) Republic Day parade, among the various marching contingents from the Indian armed forces and paramilitary regiments, there was also one foreign contingent, from Egypt. Representing the main branches of the Egyptian armed forces, 144 soldiers participated in India’s 74th Republic Day parade. Notably, Egyptian president Abdeh Fattah El-Sisi is this year’s chief guest for the parade.
Led by Colonel Mahmoud Mohamed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawy, the Egyptian contingent was only the fourth foreign marching contingent in the history of India’s Republic Day parades. Here’s a brief timeline of other contingents. Read more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi waved goodbye to the shramyogis involved in the construction of Central Vista, Kartavya Path and the new Parliament Building as well as the milk-vegetable vendors etc in the crowd.
As the Republic Day celebrations came to an end, President Droupadi Murmu and her Egyptian counterpart el-Sisi were bid adieu by Prime Minister Modi and other dignitaries.
During the Indian Air Force's Fly Past, three Sukhoi-30s took part in the Trishul formation.
As the Indian Air Force began its Fly Past, four Rafale jets flew past the Kartvaya Path as part of the Netra formation.
33 Corps of Signals’ Dare Devils formed the human pyramid as part of the Republic Day parade.
Corps of Signals’ Dare Devils team are rolling down the Kartavya Path creating an array of formations such as the birds flying, lotus formation and more.
Among the 17 tableaux by states and Union Territories for the Republic Day parade, the Assam tableau was based on the theme, "Land of heroes and spiritualism" and featured Bihu dancers. The Gujarat tableau was based on the theme "Clean Green Energy Efficient Gujarat." The Uttarakhand tableau featured the Manaskhand tourism corridor on which work is underway.
Assam tableau
Gujarat tableau
Uttarakhand tableau
Winners of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar award arrived in jeeps at the Kartavya Path as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
For the first time, women constables appeared in the Border Security Force's camel band this year.
For most Indians, the parade in New Delhi remains Republic Day’s most enduring symbol. A grand show of India’s military might, as well as its diverse culture, the Republic Day parade holds a close place in many Indian hearts.
But why do the celebrations include a parade at all? What does a military parade have to do with promulgating the constitution? Read here
The Air Force tableau, based on the theme ‘Indian Air Force Power Beyond Boundaries’, displayed a rotating globe highlighting IAF’s expanded reach. It showcased Light Combat Aircraft Tejas MK-II, Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’, Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft NETRA and C-295 Transport aircraft. The tableau also displayed a team of GARUDs in combat gear with laser designation equipment and specialist weapons.
The Indian Navy tableau featured a women aircrew of Dornier aircraft, highlighting all-women crew surveillance sortie undertaken last year. The main section of the tableau displayed the ‘Make in India’ initiatives of the Navy. It included a model of the new indigenous Nilgiri class ship with a Dhruv helicopter deploying marine commandos, models of indigenous Kalvari class submarines and autonomous unmanned systems being indigenously-developed under iDEX-Sprint Challenge.
The Indian Army was represented at the Republic Day parade with a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, nine Mechanised Columns, six marching contingents and a fly past by Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) of Army Aviation Corps.
Main Battle Tank ARJUN, NAG Missile System (NAMIS), Infantry Combat Vehicle of BMP-2 SARATH, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle, K-9 Vajra-tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer Gun, BrahMos missile, 10m Short Span Bridge, Mobile Microwave Node & Mobile Network Centre and AKASH (New Generation Equipment) were also on display.
The Indian Army displayed its BrahMos missile as part of its contingent at the Republic Day parade.
The first contingent in the uniform of the 61 Cavalry will be led by Captain Raizada Shaurya Bali. The 61 Cavalry is the only serving active Horse Cavalry Regiment in the world, with the amalgamation of all the ‘State Horse Units’.
The Republic Parade 2023 kicked off with a contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces, a first for Republic Day celebrations.
President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with a 21-gun salute with the Indigenous 105-mm Indian Field Guns (IFG) as she arrived at the Kartavya Path along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egypt President el-Sisi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the saluting dias at Kartavya Path, where he will welcome President Droupadi Murmu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He was welcomed by the crowd and dignitaries with cheers and applause.
The celebrations for the 74th Republic Day are set to begin at Kartavya Path with President Droupadi Murmu and her Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the chief guest of the event, departing from the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
PM Modi paid tributes to martyrs at the National War Memorial on the 74th Republic Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday laid a wreath, paying a tribute to martyrs at the National War Memorial. He was welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The national flag was unfurled at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Maharashtra's Nagpur city on the occasion of the Republic Day on Thursday.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was not present at the function as he is currently in Rajasthan capital Jaipur, where he will participate in a Republic Day event.
Nagpur Mahanagar Sah-Sanghchalak Shridhar Gadge unfurled the tricolour at the Sangh headquarters in Mahal area of Nagpur in the presence of RSS volunteers and pracharaks.
S No
Ministry/Department
Theme
1
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Indian Council Agriculture Research)
International Year of Millets: 2023 – India’s Initiative
2
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs)
3
Ministry of Home Affairs (Narcotics Control Bureau)
Narcotics Control Bureau: Resolve @ 75 – Drug Free India
4
Ministry of Home Affairs (Central Armed Police Forces)
Nari Shakti in CAPF
5
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (Central Public Works Department)
Biodiversity Conservation
6
Ministry of Culture
Shakti Rupena Samsthita
Source: PIB
S. No
State/UT
Theme
1
Andhra Pradesh
Prabhala Theertham – A festival of Peasantry during Makara Sankranthi
2
Assam
Land of Heroes and Spiritualism
3
Ladakh
Tourism & Composite Culture of Ladakh
4
Uttarakhand
Manaskhand
5
Tripura
Sustainable Livelihood through Tourism & Organic Farming in Tripura with active participation of women
6
Gujarat
Clean Green Energy Efficient Gujarat
7
Jharkhand
Baba Baidyanath Dham
8
Arunachal Pradesh
Prospects of Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh
9
Jammu & Kashmir
Naya Jammu & Kashmir
10
Kerala
Nari Shakti
11
West Bengal
Durga Puja in Kolkata: Inscribing Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO
12
Maharashtra
Sade Tin Shaktipithe & Nari Shakti
13
Tamil Nadu
Women Empowerment & Culture of Tamil Nadu
14
Karnataka
Celebrating Power of Nari
15
Haryana
International Gita Mahotsav
16
Dadar Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
Conservation of Tribal Culture & Heritage
17
Uttar Pradesh
Ayodhya Deepotsav
Source: PIB
As many as 17 tableaux from states and Union Territories and six from various Ministries and Departments will roll down the Kartavya Path as part of the Republic Day parade.
Only Made-in-India weapon systems will be showcased at the Republic Day parade, which included ammunition showcasing India's indigenization power such as 21 Gun Salute through 'Made in India' 105 mm 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. (PTI)
In a first, a combined Band and Marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces, led by Colonel Mahmoud Mohamed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawy, will march down the Kartavya Path as part of India's Republic Day celebrations. The contingent will consist of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the National War Memorial shortly, and lay a wreath as a tribute to martyrs. Thereafter, PM Modi will head to Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.
This will be the first Republic Day parade over the recently revamped and renamed Kartavya Path. Visitors, ambassadors of states, and special guests have taken their seats for the parade.
On the eve of 74th Republic Day on Wednesday, a former militant put up the Tricolour on the outer wall of his house in far off Segdi Bhata village in hilly Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. Identified as Sher Khan, he was a Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (HUJI) militant and a dreaded name in the district between 1998 and 2006. He surrendered in 2016, spent 13 years in jail before being released in 2019. Read more
We are celebrating Republic Day with a rendition of the Vande Mataram song. US Officers Raghavan, playing the flute, and Stephanie, on the guitar, teamed up with singer Pavithra Chari.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi and Chief Minister M K Stalin appeared together Thursday as the former unfurled the Tricolour on the 74th Republic Day celebrations in Chennai. The duo were recently at loggerheads over a row sparked by Governor Ravi's remarks.
Marking India's 74th Republic Day, the Google Doodle today features a hand-cut paper artwork by Ahmedabad-based artist Parth Kothekar. The artwork shows several elements of the Republic Day parade such as the CRPF marching contingent and motorcycle riders' formation, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the India Gate.
In the run-up to this Republic Day, the Constitution has increasingly looked like the bone of contention between a domineering Executive and a Judiciary that appears compelled to re-stake out its ground in changing political terrain. But the Constitution itself is resilient and capacious enough to take showdowns like these in its stride. In fact, the ongoing pull and push over whether or not Parliament has the power to amend its “basic structure” has only brought home that the key to its endurance is its essential openness to change. Read our editorial, 'Republic Day 2023: Holy Book, North Star', here
The ceremonial parade was reviewed by Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command in Kerala's Kochi.
Students of the Anjumane Islam High School in Gujarat's Ahmedabad dressed up in Tricolour formation Wednesday as part of their pre-Republic Day program. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Four thousand students of Zeal Institue in Nareh participate to form a national flag portrait on the eve of the Republic Day. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)
A child sells Tricolour balloons and flag at Akota bridge in Dandia Bazaar ahead of Republic Day (Express Photo By Bhupendra Rana)