New Delhi: India celebrates its 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday in honour of the adoption of the Constitution on the same date in 1950. The day instils a sense of pride and belonging among all Indians in the idea of India and their faith and belief in the constitution. On the proud occassion, the Tricolour was unfurled at Delhi’s Rajpath in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and other dignitaries including Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
In its 72nd Republic Day, India displayed its military might with Rafale fighter jets which took part in the flypast for the the first time and the armed forces showcased T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets, among others.
Total 32 tableaus-17 from states and union territories, six from the Defence ministry and nine from other Union ministries and paramilitary forces-depicting the nation’s rich cultural heritage, economic progress and defence prowess have rolled down the Rajpath at the Republic Day parade.
The Parade culminated with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’.
Bangladesh Army Joins Republic Day Parade; Foreign Army salutes the President for a second time
In addition to Indian soldiers, Bangladeshi soldiers have also participated this year. Bangladesh Armed Forces parade of 122 soldiers saluted President Ramanath Kovind at Rajpath. Bangladeshi soldiers have joined the parade as the two countries celebrate the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s existence.
The 122-member contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy, and air warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force was led by the contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Abu Mohammed Shahnoor Shawon and his deputies, Lieutenant Farhan Ishraq and Flight Lieutenant Sibat Rahman.
Notably, India and Bangladesh are celebrating 50 years of the 1971 Liberation War — one of the finest victories in modern military history.
Ladakh tableau seen for the first time on Rajpath, Ram temple model also exhibited
A tableau from Ladakh has participated in the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath for the first time this year. Ladakh’s tableau has depicted the iconic Thiksey Monastery located on top of a hill in Thikse in Leh district, and is one of the most-visited tourist sites in the region. It has also featured the Indian Astronomical Observatory, located in Hanle near Leh.
Uttar Pradesh’s tableau has featured a replica of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which is currently under construction. It has also displayed the culture, tradition and art related to the temple town.
DRDO showcased LCA Navy and Anti Tank Guided Missiles
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy and Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) at the Republic Day Parade.
DRDO presented two important tableaux showcasing the major achievements of the year, which are Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy take-off and landing on board the aircraft carrier and the complete family of Anti Tank Guided Missiles.
Notably, DRDO showcases the advanced defence technology products for tri-services at Rajpath on Republic Day every year.
Tableau by labour ministry to depict changes brought in by labour reforms
A tableau by the Ministry of Labour and Employment at the Republic Day parade this year depicted the labour reforms brought in by the government in the recent past. The theme of the tableau was ‘respect for hard work and equal rights for all’.
The tableau art portrayed the transformation that will come into the life of organised and unorganised workers after the implementation of the recent labour codes.
The Republic Day Parade this year also witnessed its first participation by a woman fighter pilot. Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth created the history and became the part of the Indian Air Force’s tableau this year which highlighted the mock-ups of light combat aircraft (LCA), light combat helicopter (LCH), and the Sukhoi-30 fighters. Bhawan Kanth is among the first batch of the woman fighter pilot who joined the Indian Air Force in 2016 along with other woman fighter pilots namely Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh. Currently, Bhawana is posted at an airbase Rajasthan where she flies MiG-21 Bison fighter plane after she turned operational in March 2018.