NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JAN 26
Twenty-two tableaux projecting India’s rich diversity, armed forces showcasing their might, tricolour balloons in the air and “garba’’ dance on Rajpath marked the 71st Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Sunday.
Sixteen state tableaux and six from different ministries and departments were displayed on Rajpath. While Jammu & Kashmir showcased its ‘Back to Village’ programme, the Odisha tableau showcased the Rukuna Ratha Yatra of Lord Lingaraja. Kullu’s Dussehra festival was proudly projected by the Himachal Pradesh tableau. CPWD Horticulture tableau’s theme was ‘Kashmir se Kanyakumari’.
Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, a school that has been continuously participating in the Republic Day parade for 56 years now was also there on the Rajpath. When the girls crossed the Rajpath playing their instruments, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stood up to applaud them.
The might of armed forces showcased
The event also witnessed India showcasing its military prowess. The Air Defence Tactical Control Radar was displayed at the parade as was Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and the Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class submarine by the Indian Navy.
Courtesy: indiatimes.com
Advanced Light Helicopters were flown in ‘Diamond’ formation, over Rajpath as this year’s Republic Day Chief guest Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro watched with awe. The T-90 Bhishma battle tanks of the Indian Army proudly rolled down the Rajpath, commanded by Captain Sunny Chahar of 86 Armoured Regiment.
One key takeaway of the parade was the ‘garba’ dance of Gujarat as about 150 girl students from schools in Gujarat showcased the folk dance.
Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind received the national salute at Rajpath. Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area, led this year’s parade.
Modi broke security protocol
After the Republic Day parade, President Ram Nath Kovind, and Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, who was the chief guest, left the venue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked down the streets till India Gate and waved his hand to the crowd.
Seeing their Prime Minister close to their enclosures, the spectators resorted to chanting ‘Modi, Modi’. Spectators were seen clicking his pictures with their mobile phones while security personnel deployed in the enclosure had a tough time containing the overwhelmed crowd.
Sporting a saffron ‘safa’, Modi waved at the crowd as he walked on the Rajpath as his security personnel tried to keep pace with him and his motorcade followed.
Prime Minister Modi also paid rich tributes to the martyred soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, before the parade began. He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat along with the three service chiefs – Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria.
The entire Lutyens Delhi was turned into a fortress. There was multi-layer security in and around the Rajpath. And all roads leading to Rajpath remained blocked till noon.
