Republic Day: ‘Nari Shakti’ to take centre stage, France’s Macron is chief guest
Today, january 26, 2024, marks the 75th anniversary of India's Republic Day. The nation's capital is organising a spectacular parade at Kartavya Path to highlight India's military supremacy and cultural diversity, with a focus on Nari Shakti, or women's empowerment. The principal guest, French President Emmanuel Macron, has arrived and will join indian President Droupadi Murmu in heading the festivities.
Here's all you need to know about India's 75th Republic Day celebrations:
Here's all you need to know about India's 75th Republic Day celebrations:
• For the first time, the parade will feature an all-female tri-service contingent. The indian Air Force's fly-past will feature fifteen women pilots. The Central Armed police Forces (CAPF) contingents will likewise be all-female.
• For the first time, over 100 women artists will lead the march, playing indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram, and Nagada in place of regular military bands.
• India's armed forces will display indigenous military gear, including as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars, and BMP-II infantry fighting vehicles.
• For the first time, over 100 women artists will lead the march, playing indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram, and Nagada in place of regular military bands.
• India's armed forces will display indigenous military gear, including as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars, and BMP-II infantry fighting vehicles.
• The event will begin with prime minister Narendra Modi paying his respects at the National war Memorial. President Murmu, followed by President Macron, will then salute at the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
• The parade will feature a joint band and marching contingent from the French Armed Forces, representing india and France's strong bilateral relations.
• Sixteen tableaux from various states and Union territories, as well as nine from central ministries and departments, will be shown along Kartavya Path, representing India's rich cultural tapestry. These tableaus will also emphasise the topic of "women's empowerment".
• The parade will feature a joint band and marching contingent from the French Armed Forces, representing india and France's strong bilateral relations.
• Sixteen tableaux from various states and Union territories, as well as nine from central ministries and departments, will be shown along Kartavya Path, representing India's rich cultural tapestry. These tableaus will also emphasise the topic of "women's empowerment".
• More than 70,000 security officers have been deployed around New delhi to ensure the event's safety. Traffic warnings and limits are in place to ensure that vehicles move smoothly throughout the celebrations.
• An estimated 77,000 people are scheduled to watch the procession at Kartavya Path, with strict security precautions in place, including commando deployments and anti-sabotage inspections to ensure their safety.
• President Murmu and her French colleague Macron will arrive at Kartavya Path in a 'traditional buggy', a habit that is making a comeback after a 40-year absence.
• Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to india gate will be closed to traffic beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The limitations will last till the procession is done.
• An estimated 77,000 people are scheduled to watch the procession at Kartavya Path, with strict security precautions in place, including commando deployments and anti-sabotage inspections to ensure their safety.
• President Murmu and her French colleague Macron will arrive at Kartavya Path in a 'traditional buggy', a habit that is making a comeback after a 40-year absence.
• Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to india gate will be closed to traffic beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The limitations will last till the procession is done.