Women marchers, pilots steal show

On parade ground and skies above,
women marchers, pilots steal show

Republic Day celebrations displayed women power — Major Saumya Shukla unfurled the National Flag; 112 women artists
skilfully played folk and tribal percussion instruments; an all ­woman tri­ service contingent marched for the first time…

Braving the biting cold and thick layer of fog engulfing the national capital, thousands of people reached Kartavya Path to attend the Republic Day parade on Saturday.
The parade began at 10.30 a.m., after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the National War Memorial, where he paid tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. President Droupadi Murmu took the salute at the parade, a grand display of women power, cultural heritage and military might comprising missiles, warplanes, surveillance gadgets and weapon systems. French President Emmanuel Macron was the Chief Guest.

As people patiently waited for the sun to shine, the National Flag was unfurled by Major Saumya
Shukla, which was followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21­ gun salute given with the indigenous gun system, 105­mm Indian Field Guns.
A band of 112 women artists then skilfully played folk and tribal percussion instruments such as conch, nadaswaram, and nagada from different corners of the country in a historic first. The enchanting performance symbolised the strength and prowess of women. The parade had as its running theme aspirations to a Viksit Bharat (developed India) and Bharat — Loktantra ki Matruka’ (India — mother of democracy). The cultural vibrancy of India was on full display, with over 13,000 special guests — an initiative which provided an opportunity to people from all walks of life to take part in the celebration and encourage people’s participation.

With women power to the fore, the parade witnessed the maiden participation of an all­ woman tri service contingent, led by Captain Sandhya of the Army Military Police, marching down Kartavya Path.
Women pilots also enthralled the audience during the fly­past.The contingents of the Central Armed
Police Forces (CAPF) had only women personnel. Four Mi­17 IV helicopters of 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience. The parade was commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant ­General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.
Major General Sumit Mehta, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area, was the Parade Second ­in ­Command.

For the first time ever, the French Air and Space Force joined the fly­past over Kartavya Path with two French Rafales and one A330 MRTT. France is the first foreign country to join the fly­past. Similarly, the French regiment was the first to have marching contingent at the parade in 2016.
The Air Force tableau showcased atma nirbharta (self­reliance), which depicted a C­295 transport aircraft being flown by two women. Over 15 State tableaux and eight Ministry, defence and other department tableaux rolled by.

As people patiently waited for the sun to shine, the National Flag was unfurled by Major Saumya
Shukla, which was followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21­ gun salute given with the indigenous gun system, 105­mm Indian Field Guns.
A band of 112 women artists then skilfully played folk and tribal percussion instruments such as conch, nadaswaram, and nagada from different corners of the country in a historic first. The enchanting performance symbolised the strength and prowess of women. The parade had as its running theme aspirations to a Viksit Bharat (developed India) and Bharat — Loktantra ki Matruka’ (India — mother of democracy). The cultural vibrancy of India was on full display, with over 13,000 special guests — an initiative which provided an opportunity to people from all walks of life to take part in the celebration and encourage people’s participation.