India celebrated its 67th Republic Day last Tuesday (January 26), with French President Francois Hollande as Chief Guest at the national Capital. Vibrant parades and colourful programmes highlighted the culture and achievements of the country at the annual parade in Rajpath, New Delhi. Different states and also marked the day amid tight security as the respective governors hoisted the Tricolour in the state capitals, and delivered their speeches as per ritual.
The main parade at the Rajpath was a big success, with the military prowess on full display and tableau from different states showing off their culture. The French leader joined President Pranab Mukherjee and Premier Narendra Modi as the military parade marched through a central avenue. The parade included marching troops, military bands, tanks, and other hardware. Colourful floats from various Indian states, traditional dances, and gymnastics by children were also part of the event. The Sikh regiment, however, missed the day in what was called a “grave omission”.
The celebrations began with PM Modi driving to the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial to the Unknown Soldier at India Gate and laying a wreath in honour of all the Indian soldiers who have died in battles since World War I. The President’s Bodyguard presented the national salute, the tricolour was unfurled and the national anthem was played to set the tone for a rather poignant moment - the posthumous presentation of the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest gallantry award in peacetime. Vice-President Hamid Ansari, the three service chiefs, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, cabinet ministers, a host of dignitaries and a group of women achievers seated in a special enclosure witnessed the hour-and-half affair, along with a crowd of 10,000.
The Republic Day was a reflection of the country's Prime Minister as it changed the conventions and braced the new. The annual parade was quite a sight this year as the Capital flaunted the country's military might with a hint of cultural diversity.
The French Army contingent became the first-ever foreign military group to march in the parade for the first time in the history of the Republic Day. France's 35th Infantry Regiment marched alongside their Indian counterparts. The country's participation was a reciprocal gesture after the Indian troops marched down Paris's Champs-Elysees on Bastille Day in 2009.
The long forgotten Army dog squad returned after 26 years to the parade. Clad in maroon and gold striped coats, a dog squad from the Army's Remount Veterinary Corps marched along with their dog handlers. Good looking Labradors and German Shepherds walked with pride after 26 years, at the Rajpath. Only 36 of 1,200 army dogs were chosen and underwent weeks of training in preparation for the parade.
A tradition was broken as instead of a marching continent of ex-servicemen, there was an entire tableau dedicated to them in the first part of the parade.
After last year's sudden pour down that had forced chief guest US President Barack Obama to take shelter under a large umbrella, this year's VVIP enclosure had a motorised sliding glass roof which was rolled back for the Air Force fly past.
Also, young recipients of the National Awards for Bravery marched only towards the end of the parade. In the previous celebrations, the children rode on elephants, which used to be one of the highlights of the day.
Republic Day celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir were held with massive security clampdown and was uncharacteristically peaceful. The flag was unfurled by bureaucrats as the state is under Governor's rule. The biggest function in the Valley was at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium, however, the region observed a complete shutdown on a strike called by separatists.
