The 'firsts' in 72nd Republic Day!

Today, it is the 72nd Republic Day of the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy. In this land of ours, enriched by diversity, with many festivals, our national festivals are celebrated by everyone with great patriotic fervour. We celebrate the national festival of the Republic Day with enthusiasm and express our respect for the national flag, and our faith in the Constitution. This day has come to mean a lot to all Indians living within the country and abroad. Seventy-one years ago, on this very day, we the people of India adopted, enacted and gave to ourselves a unique Constitution. This year’s Republic Day parade will also be the first major public event in pandemic times.

 

 

The historic Republic Day parade began from Rashtrapati Bhavan and end at India Gate. The route was followed from Vijay Chowk via Rajpath, Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate Princess Palace, Tilak Marg to finally India Gate. The Republic Day parade began from Rashtrapati Bhavan and end at India Gate.

 

 

 

 

For the first time, a marching contingent and band of Bangladesh tri-services participated in the Republic Day Parade to commemorate 50 years of its historic liberation.

 

The 122-member contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy, and air warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force was led by the contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Abu Mohammed Shahnoor Shawon and his deputies, Lieutenant Farhan Ishraq and Flight Lieutenant Sibat Rahman.

 

All the three services of the Bangladesh Armed Forces had played a key role in securing independence for their country in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

 

 

In a first, the tableau of the Union Territory of Ladakh, which came into existence in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, was displayed in this year's Republic Day parade. The tableau highlighted the 'Vision' for Ladakh to be carbon neutral and exemplary for the world.

 

It showcased the future prospects and development of green Ladakh by using natural resources and generating horticulture produce in apricot and organic farming, besides the development of tourism. It also displayed composite culture and communal harmony besides art and architecture, languages and dialects, customs and costumes, fairs and festivals, literature, crafts and music of Ladakh.

 

 

In a historic moment, one of India’s first women fighter pilots, Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth was a part of the IAF’s tableau that will showcase mock-ups of the light combat aircraft (LCCA), light combat helicopter (LCH) and the Sukhoi-30 fighters.

 

 

Rafale fighter jets, which were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) last year, featured in the Republic Day parade and culminated the flypast by carrying out the 'Vertical Charlie' formation. The aircraft was piloted by Gp Capt Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Sqn Ldr Kislaykant.

 

A Rafale jet with two Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and two MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighters conducted the "Eklavya" formation at a height of 300 m and a speed of 780 km/h.

 

 

The Karnataka tableau will display the Vijayanagar legacy at the Republic Day parade. The state’s tableau included all the attractions of Vijayanagar from its foundation to its zenith and not just limiting it to the stone chariot and musical pillars of the Vijaya Vittala temple. The team that had created the tableau is led by award-winning art director Shashidhar Adapa. It will have a statue of Ugra Narasimha followed by Bhagwan Hanuman on the top of the Anjanadri hills. It featured the throne of Krishnadevaraya, Hampi's sculptures, the Narasimha and Vithoba temples and prominent pillars and sculptures.