New style of changing India seen in Republic Day parade

Republic Day parade on the occasion of national pride is a great opportunity to put India’s strength in front of the whole world and this time in the parade, the whole world saw the ever-increasing strength of India on the path of duty. Apart from the colorful programs organized in the Republic Day parade, the tableaux taken out to display the culture and traditions of the country and the unique feats done by the soldiers of the three armies to show the strength of India to the whole world attracted everyone. In true sense, a glimpse of the country’s cultural heritage and military power was clearly visible on the path of duty in the parade this year. However, this year also some changes were made in the events to be held during the parade. This happened for the second time in a row after the country’s independence, when the parade started half an hour late instead of the scheduled time of 10 am. Earlier in the Republic Day parade, where 1.25 lakh people used to come to watch the parade, this time the number of spectators was reduced considerably and also the number of VIP invitation passes was also drastically cut. Although only 25 thousand people were invited during the Kovid period, but this time only 45 thousand spectators were allowed to watch the grand Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path. The number of VIP guests was also limited to 12 thousand.

In the parade, apart from marching troops of the army, tanks, cannons and bands, the flypast of the Air Force added to the attraction. During the flypast of many aircrafts, the whole world got to see the bravery of Indian fighter jets. Cultural tableaux depicting the progress and culture of the country were also seen on the path of duty, giving an experience of the new style and feeling of the changing India. During the Republic Day parade, this time a total of 75 aircraft of the three armies showed their strength on the path of duty, including Rafale from France. These 50 aircraft included 45 from the Air Force, 1 from the Navy and 4 from the Army, including 23 fighter jets, 18 helicopters, 8 military transport aircraft, besides the Navy’s oldest reconnaissance aircraft, the IL-38. For the first time, the Garud Special Force of the Indian Air Force also participated in the Republic Day parade. The daredevils in the line of duty mesmerized everyone with their amazing performances. The daredevils showed amazing stunts on the bike and during this time they were also seen doing yoga postures on the bike. The Republic Day Parade this time showcased India’s growing indigenous capabilities, women power and the emergence of a ‘New India’ with a unique blend of the country’s military might and cultural diversity. Overall, this time the lofty picture of a lofty India was clearly visible on the path of duty.

Earlier, in the Republic Day celebrations, 21-gun salute was given from the British 25-pounder gun, while for the first time this year, 21-gun salute was given from the 105 mm Indian field gun. This new change reflects the growing Indian self-reliance in the defense sector. In fact, seven cannons are fired in three rounds every 2.25 seconds to cover the full 52 seconds of the national anthem, this is called a 21-gun salute. The 21 gun salute is considered to be the biggest honor given to our President and visiting heads of state. During the parade, the Indian Army displayed its state-of-the-art indigenous weapons, including three Arjun-Mark One tanks, one Nag missile system, K9 Vajra-T automatic gun system, two BMPs, one BrahMos missile, two 10-meter short span bridges , a mobile microwave node and mobile network centre, two Akash missile systems, etc. During the parade, the IL-38 showcased its Jauhar for the first and last time in the skies of the duty path with aerial feats of IAF fighter jets including Rafale and Sukhoi, which will be retired later this year. This aircraft was seen flying the duty path for the first time in its 42 years of service in the Navy. It is a reconnaissance aircraft, which for the last 42 years has been providing information about every movement of the enemy in the sea and also carrying out relief operations in a better way. The showstopper of the Republic Day parade was the world’s most powerful fighter aircraft Rafale, which was seen executing the vertical charley drill from the front of the stage as it took off at the end of the parade.

In the Air Force flypast, different fighter planes fly in different formations each time showing stunts and each formation has a different name. This time a total of 9 Rafale aircraft participated in the parade in different formations and as usual the flypast was divided into two parts. In the first part ‘Prachanda’ displayed various formations, followed by Vimana in Tiranga, Dhwaj, Rudra and Baz formations. After that Tangail, Vajrang, Garuda, Netra, Bhima, Amrit, Trishul and Vijay etc. were seen displaying various formations. In the first part, 4 Mi-17 1V/V5 helicopters in flag formation saluted the Supreme Commander by flying in front of him carrying the Indian flag and the tri-service flags. Thereafter, Army attack helicopters flying in diamond formation flew in front of Dias and then 3 MiG-29 aircraft flew in eagle wing formation. The second phase of the fly past began with the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachanda flying in an arrow formation of two Apaches and two ALH Mark 4s. Thereafter, 5 ALH Sarang helicopters in Sarang formation passed over the duty path dropping the Tri Colour. Vintage aircraft Dakota and 2 Dornier aircraft in Tangail formation, 1 C-130 and 4 Rafale in Vajrang formation, Navy’s IL-38 and 2 AN 32 in Garuda formation, 1 AWACS and 4 Rafale in Netra formation, 1 C-130 in Bhima formation 17 and 2 Sukhoi-30, 6 Jaguars took off in Amrit formation. After this, 3 Sukhoi-30s disappeared into the sky forming a Trishul formation and then the show stopper of the flypast, Rafale, made a vertical charlie to conclude the parade. Overall, along with India’s military strength, cultural glimpses of the country were also seen on the path of duty during the parade at the Republic Day celebrations.

– Yogesh Kumar Goyal

(The writer is a senior journalist active in journalism for 33 years)