Republic Day holds a significant place in India’s national calendar, marked annually on January 26. This day marks the adoption of the Constitution in 1950. One of the highlights like every year is the spectacular parade down Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) in New Delhi.
This year’s chief guest for the Republic Day is French President Emmanuel Macron who landed yesterday (Jan 25) and met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The day’s events will include patriotic ceremonies featuring a dazzling parade featuring India’s culture, progress and military might. Based on the twin themes of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’, this year’s parade will witness the participation of around 13,000 special guests. For the first time ever, the parade will be heralded by more than 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments.
The parade will commence with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram and Nagada, among others, to be played by these women artists. It will also witness the maiden participation of an all-women Tri-Service contingent marching down the Kartavya Path. Women pilots will also enthral the audience during the fly-past, representing Nari Shakti.
The contingents of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also consist of only women personnel. Kartavya Path will be witness to a march-past by a combined band and marching contingent of the French Armed Forces. A 30-member band contingent will be headed by Captain Khourda, which will be followed by a 90-member marching contingent, led by Captain Noel.
One Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft and two Rafale fighter jets of the French Air and Space Force will fly above the contingents while they march past the saluting dais. People in Bahrain can watch the Republic Day Parade 2024 online from 8am local time and the parade will last for 90 minutes and starts from Vijay Chowk to Kartavya Path. The venue has seating for about 77,000 people, with 42,000 seats set aside for the public.
The ceremony will start with the visit of Premier Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. The Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.
- Marches by all three armed forces:Disciplined and synchronised movements of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
- Tableaux from Indian states: Each state will present a stunning tableau, depicting its unique culture, traditions and achievements.
- Daredevil motorcycle stunts: Indian Army’s daredevils will perform breathtaking motorcycle stunts, pushing the limits of skill and bravery.
- Flypast by fighter jets: Witness the awe-inspiring flypast by Indian Air Force fighter jets, leaving trails of tricolour smoke in their wake.
Beating the Retreat ceremony, which will be held at Vijay Chowk on January 29, will witness all Indian tunes to mark the culmination of Republic Day celebrations.