NewsGate Press Network

This year’s Republic Day Parade (RD-Parade) registered many firsts for women empowerment  – the ‘nari shakti’.

It was 74th RD parade with recorded with a difference at the newly redesigned Rajpath which is now officially known by its new name the Kartavaya Path.

President Droupadi Murmu led the nation by unfurling the national flag with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the chief guest at the parade.

It was for the first time that the 21 Gun Salute was given with 105mm Indian Field Guns.

The parade kicked off with a march by a contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces-consisting of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

A 12-member band of the Egyptian Army also took part in the parade.

In sync with the Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) motto for the weapons systems on display, there were no Russian tanks this time.

An all women contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force was one of the highlights this year. Several other marching contingents, including those of the Navy, featured women.

The Naval contingent, led by a woman officer, featured 3 women, and 6 Agniveers — soldiers in the first batch of the new armed forces recruitment scheme.

India made Arjun, and other systems made in India, including the Akash missile system, were on display.

During the event, indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), a modular 8X8 wheeled combat platform carried on a 70-ton Trailer was also displayed by DRDO in the form of equipment.

The Camel Contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) also marched past the saluting dais under Deputy commandant Manohar Singh Kheechee.

For the first time, female camel riders participated in the parade, showcasing women empowerment in various fields.

An all women contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force was one of the highlights this year. Several other marching contingents, including those of the Navy, featured women.

The Naval contingent, led by a woman officer, featured three women, and six Agniveers – soldiers of the first batch of the new armed forces recruitment scheme.

The Naval contingent of 144 young sailors led by Lt Cdr Disha Amrith as contingent commander marched down the Kartavya Path.

The marching contingent for the first time in history consisted of three women and six men Agniveer

Corps of Signals Dare Devils team as it mesmerised the audience with their performance at Kartavya Path.

Twenty three tableaux, 17 from states and union territories, and 6 from various government ministries, depicted India’s cultural heritage, economic progress, and national security.

Cultural performances were presented by 479 artistes chosen through the nationwide “Vande Bharatam” dance competition. This is the second time that the dancers have been selected through a nationwide competition.

The perennial draw of motorcycle display by the Corps of Signals’ Dare Devils team thrilled the audience with several formations, including a yoga display. Eleven children who received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for outstanding achievement in the fields of bravery, art and culture, sports, innovation and social service were also part of the parade.

The grand finale was the eagerly-awaited flypast, where aircraft from three forces participated.

The air show, with 45 aircraft, included vintage aircraft to the most modern jets in service in the Indian Air Force.

The shallow fog played the spoil-sport as the aircrafts during the flypast were not as clearly visible.

The country’s new Rafale fighter aircraft performed the concluding Vertical Charlie manoeuvre. Though Rafale had been part of the parade in the last two years, this is the first time a quarter of the fleet – nine aircraft – participated in the flypast.

This year, invites were sent to people involved in the construction of the Central Vista, Kartavya Path, New Parliament Building, milk, vegetable vendors and street vendors, who were given a prominent spot in the galleries.