On India’s 70th Republic Day, the annual parade in the national capital showcased the country’s rich cultural heritage and traditions. The central theme of the tableaux displayed was Mahatma Gandhi as 2019 marks the year of his 150th birth anniversary. The might of the Indian military was on full display, and in particular, women’s power.
Republic Day Parade 2019
* Assam Rifles tableau: Participating in the Republic Day parade for the first time in history, the Assam Rifles tableau had women power on full display. An all-women contingent, led by Maj Khushboo Kanwar, marched to the tune Assam Rifles kay Sipahi, Desh ki Humnay Shaan badhai.
* CISF tableau: The CISF, which is also celebrating 50 years of service to the nation, is in the Republic Day parade after a gap of 11 years. Its tableau had elements of its diverse functioning and showcased the role of women in the force. The CISF has the highest percentage of women (6 per cent) among all paramilitary forces.
* INA veterans: In a first, four Indian National Army (INA) veterans took part in the Republic Day parade under the theme ‘Veterans: Accelerators in Nation’s Growth’. All of them were over the age of 90.
* States tableau: Tableaux of Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal and Tripura were also displayed at India’s Republic Day 2019 event. They were all themed around Mahatma Gandhi; the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, for instance, showcased the Cellular Jail where Gandhi was imprisoned while
* India showed off her military might at R-Day parade showcasing the Army’s T-90 tank, Ballway Machine Pikate (BMP-II/IIK), Surface Mine Clearing System, 155 mm/52 Calibre Tracked Self-propelled Gun (K-9 Vajra), Transportable Satellite Terminal, Troop Level Radar and Akash Weapon System at the Republic Day 2019 parade.
* The flypast, the most awaited, began with the Rudra formation comprising three ALH Mk IV WSI helicopters and featured Sukhois, MiG fighter jets. The parade also witnessed a ‘vic’ formation of An-32 aircraft, whose lead plane flew on a mix of traditional and bio-fuel for the first time.
* Indian Railways tableau: The transformation of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to Mahatma Gandhi was displayed by the Indian Railways by showcasing two faces, one when he was thrown off a first-class compartment because of his race and the other when he collected money for Harijan fund.
* The Daredevils: 33 people on 9 motorcycles formed a human pyramid, lead by Subedar Major Ramesh. A lone woman officer exhibited bike stunts as part of the iconic team
* The parade also included 26 children who won the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. They passed through in an open jeep and waved at the dignitaries.
Source: The Indian Express
