India is celebrating its 74th Republic Day with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in attendance on a newly renovated ceremonial promenade in the nation’s capital.
On Thursday, tens of thousands of people braved the winter weather and mist to assemble in New Delhi to see a parade displaying the nation’s cultural history and military prowess.
The national holiday commemorates the year 1950, three years after India earned independence from British control, when it formally adopted its constitution and became an independent republic.
On a chilly morning in New Delhi, thousands of people braved the elements to witness the procession from seats along Kartavya Route, also known as the path of duty, while millions more watched it on television.
Together with marching bands, the nation’s armed troops, border guards, and police marched toward the dais where India’s President Droupadi Murmu saluted.
She observed as Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was sporting a saffron-and-yellow turban, stood on each side of him. Her Egyptian counterpart, el-Sisi, was dressed in a blue coat and tie.
The basic subject of “nari shakti,” or women’s power, was presented in vibrant tableaux representing several states and ministries while reflecting the nation’s extensive and varied history.
The army’s tableau consisted solely of homegrown weaponry, demonstrating India’s desire to increase its level of defence independence.
The flypast of 45 Indian Air Force aircraft—including fighter fighters made in France and Russia as well as India, France, and Russia—was the event’s high point.
Rain, however, spoiled the show and made it hard for viewers to see the jets passing overhead.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi, RM Rajnath Singh, and the military commanders paid homage to the slain soldiers at the National War Memorial in the nation’s capital.
El-Sisi is the first president of Egypt to be invited to the Republic Day celebrations; he is now on a three-day visit to India.
The Egyptian president greeted the Indians on Wednesday and said it was an honour to host them on “such a magnificent national day.”
“Balance and stability have characterised the ties between Egypt and India. There has only been positive growth. We have been positively evolving the entire time, he claimed.
Longtime trading partners Egypt and India are pursuing stronger connections this year, particularly in the area of security.
The Egyptian Armed Forces’ 144-member contingent marched in the parade on Thursday as well.
According to reports, the special forces of the two countries would later conduct combined military drills in the western Indian desert state of Rajasthan in the towns of Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur.
Egypt is reliant on food supplies from Russia and Ukraine, which are unstable now that the conflict has been going on for almost a year.
To lower its food prices, Cairo authorised significant wheat shipments from India last year.
Indian military strength
The marching contingents of the Indian troops and their military gear were the main draw of the big parade. Notably, female officers led the Navy and Air Force marching contingents this year.
Captain Raizada Shaurya Bali was in charge of the 61 Cavalry troop of the Indian Army. The only current regiment in service today with a mix of all “State Horse Units” is the 61 Cavalry.
The main attractions included the Arjun Main Battle Tank, the Nag Missile System (NAMIS), the BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicle of SARATH, the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle, the K-9 Vajra-Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer Gun, the BrahMos Missile, the 10 Meter Short Mobile Network Center, and the Aakash (new generation equipment) in the Span Bridge, Mobile Microwave Node, and Mechanized Column.
The Mechanized Infantry Regiment, Punjab Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, Dogra Regiment, Bihar Regiment, and Gurkha Brigade were among the six army contingents that marched during the parade.
Lieutenant Commander Disha Amrit served as the commander of the Navy team. Three women and six Agniveers are part of the marching group for the first time. The Navy tableau, which has as its subject “Indian Navy – Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof,” came next.
It displayed the multifaceted capabilities of the Indian Navy, Nari Shakti, and locally developed and constructed equipment as part of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” campaign.
A t 144 airmen and four officers made up the Indian Air Force team under the command of Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy. The Air Force’s tableau included a rotating globe and was based on the subject “The Power of the Indian Air Force Beyond Borders.”
empowerment of women
The celebration of farmers known as Prabhala Theertham was displayed in an Andhra Pradesh tableau during Makar Sankranti. Kerala displays the “Nari Shakti” tableau and local customs of women’s empowerment. The trailer features Karthyayani Amma, the 2020 Nari Shakti Puraskar winner who received the highest mark on the literacy test at the age of 96.
The sacred Amarnath Shrine, as well as tulip gardens and lavender cultivation, were featured in the Jammu and Kashmir tableau, which had the theme “Naya J&K.”
The tourism and general culture of Ladakh were the inspiration for the tableau. The Jageshwar Dham temple, which is close to Almora, Garhwal, Kumaon, and Manaskhand, was included in the tableau of Uttarakhand.
The Tripura tableau demonstrated sustainable life in Tripura via tourism and organic farming with the active involvement of women.
The primary draw The peek of Baba Baidyanath Dham formed part of the tableau of Jharkhand. The tableau of Tamil Nadu included a peek of women’s empowerment in addition to showcasing the culture of that state.
Nari Shakti Mahotsav was also featured in the Karnataka tableau. The Uttar Pradesh tableau included the burning of lakhs of bulbs simultaneously during the festival of lights. Based on the Ayodhya Deepotsav, this tableau.
