It is India’s 72nd Republic Day on 26th January! The day when India’s Constitution came into force and made the country a New Republic. It is indeed a day of celebrations and that is exactly what the REPUBLIC DAY Parade is all about!
The Ministry of Defence organizes the Republic Day Parade since the year 1950. Prior to the parade’s commencement, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial to fallen soldiers at the India Gate at one end of Rajpath, which is followed by two minutes silence in their memory.
Indians glue their eyes to Doordarshan at 7am on 26th January. You ask why? Well, FOR THE PARADE! You ask what does the Parade include?
The Republic Day Parade includes:
- The National Flag of India is unfurled and the National Anthem of the country is sung that when heard, sends chills down one’s spine.
- The Ashok Chakra and the Kirti Chakra are then given away by the president.
- The March Past then begins!
- The Army Forces parade in sync and is a beauty for the eyes to watch!
- The main attraction are the TABLEAUS!
- Every year, various Tableaus of states are chosen by the government to showcase a beautiful representation of History, Culture, Heritage or Developmental Programs.
- Best 3 Tableau are declared after a few days of the ‘R-Day’!
Let us have a look at the Best Tableaux of the past Five Years!
2020
Winner – ASSAM
Topic – Land 0f Unique Craftsmanship and Culture
Assam’s tableau portrayed the unique artistry and culture. The tableau included wood woven baskets and the culture of the state.
2019
Winner – TRIPURA
Topic – Empowering Rural Economy the Gandhian Way
The Tripura tableau represented the rural economy’s strengthening in the Gandhian way. The tableau contained a Charkha, which reminds us very clearly of the Father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi. The Swacch Bharat tuned song was also a part of the tableau.
2018
Winner – MAHARASHTRA
Topic – Coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Maharashtra bagged the first prize in the year 2018 where it showcased the crowning ceremony of the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj riding a horse, Maratha ‘Mawlas’ at the Darbar and a replica of Maharaj on the throne were the elements in the tableau.
2017
Winner – ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Topic – Yak Dance of Monpas
The Arunachal Pradesh tableau turned all eyes towards itself by representing a beautiful Yak Dance on the 68th republic day. Yak dance is one of the most famous pantomimes of the Mahayana sect of Buddhist tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
2016
Winner – WEST BENGAL
Topic – The Wandering Minstrels
Minstrels, meaning entertainers who entertains via his talents of music or signing. The West Bengal tableau in 2016 showed the travelling minstrels that included an Orange color theme and was decorated all around with Tablas and Sitars and the depiction of the wandering minstrels.
This year, India will celebrate its 72nd Republic Day and even if the pandemic seems to have taken over all the entertainment and glorious events, Republic Day this year will still somewhat be celebrated the same.
R-Day 2021
- The number of people attending the event has been shortened and it is being made sure that all safety precautions are taken care of.
- There will be no Chief Guest this year for the Republic Day festivities.
- Republic Day parade will begin from Vijay Chowk and end at National Stadium, covering a distance of just 3.3 km instead of 8.2 km.
- Rafale Jets of the India Airforce will participate in the Parade.
- Ladakh will debut its tableau on Rajpath that will depict ‘Thikse Monastery’.
- Uttar Pradesh’s tableau will show Ayodhya’s culture and the model of the Ram Temple too.
- Delhi will showcase the Redevelopment of Chandni Chowk in its tableau.
- Gujarat is set to display, in its tableau, the Modhera Sun Temple.
- Uttarakhand’s tableau will represent ‘Kedarkhand’ in Republic Day parade.
- Punjab tableau will reflect the theme of the unparalleled and supreme sacrifice of Ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- 17 States and Union Territories will be a part of the R-Day celebration at Delhi this year.
- Bangladesh Armed Forces, which fought and bled together with their Indian counterparts 50 years ago, will also participate in the Republic Day parade.
- Indian Army to showcase Main Battle Tank Bhishma.
- No motorcycle stunts will be performed on the Republic Day parade this year.
- Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth is set to become the first woman fighter pilot to be a part of the Republic Day parade this year.
- The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the first time will have its own tableau during the Republic Day parade.
- Indian Navy’s tableau will showcase its stellar role as a credible force during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
With all the curtailments and additions in this year’s Republic Day celebrations, are you ready to get all dressed up in Whites, Saffrons and Greens and with the remote in your hands to switch on the Television to look at the beautiful Tableaus and the Parade?
