Republic Day 2024: Indian military might and women empowerment dominate parade on Kartavya Path | To round up
Republic Day 2024: For the first time, an all-women contingent from three services participated in the country's largest ceremonial event.
New Delhi: India celebrated its 75th Republic Day on Friday at the majestic Kartavya Trail, with the three wings of the armed forces displaying the country's rising military might and an impressive display of assets, as their Republic Day scenes highlighted the overarching theme 'Nari Shakti' and 'Atmanirbharta'.
Indian Navy during the Republic Day parade
During the parade, the Indian Navy tableau showcased the imposing indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the highly capable escort ships INS Delhi, INS Kolkata and INS Shivalik, the LCA, the ALH and the Kalvari class submarine. The theme of the naval tableau was 'Nari Shakti' and 'Atmanirbharta'.
The naval band played 'Hum Taiyyar Hain', which represented the might and combat readiness of the force, and to the tune marched a naval contingent of 144 young sailors, both male and female Agniveers.
Air Force contingent with 144 pilots led parade
The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent consisted of 144 pilots and four officers and was led by Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur. Squadron leaders Sumita Yadav and Pratiti Ahluwalia and Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil marched as supernumerary officers behind the contingent commander.
The Air Force band, consisting of three drum majors and 72 musicians, played “Sound Barrier Quick March.” The IAF tableau depicted the overall theme of 'Bharatiya Vayu Dena: Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar' or 'Indian Air Force: Powerful, Powerful and Self-Reliant'.
Emmanuel Macron chief guest at the parade
French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest at the grand celebrations, which have the overarching theme of projecting the country's female power and democratic values.
The armed forces displayed a range of homegrown weapons and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry fighting vehicles during the parade.
Empowerment of women during the Republic Day Parade
For the first time, an all-female contingent from three services took part in the country's largest ceremonial event. In another historic first, Lieutenants Deepti Rana and Priyanka Sevda, who are among the ten women officers commissioned for the first time in the Artillery Regiment last year, led the 'Swathi' weapon localization radar and Pinaka missile system during the parade on Kartavya Path . This year, the 75th Republic Day will focus on the themes 'Nari Shakti' and 'Viksit Bharat'.
The contingent consists of female soldiers from the Military Police Corps of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Women Military Police have been deployed in various units and establishments in Counter Insurgency areas, Siachen Glacier, Ares high altitude and desert area. They have performed exceptionally in several joint exercises and UN missions.
The all-women contingent of Tri services was led by Captain Sandhya of Military Police with 3 supernumerary officers, Captain Shranya Rao, Sub Lieutenant Anshu Yadav and FLT Lieutenant Shrishti Rao.
Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu started the 75th Republic Day celebrations on Friday by unfurling the national flag at the Kartavya trail. President Murmu was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon her arrival at Kartavya Path.
President Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations, were accompanied by the President's bodyguard, 'Rashtrapati Ke Anrakshak'.