Monitoring Desk
NEW DELHI: India will commemorate its 74th Republic Day on Thursday with a vibrant parade showcasing its cultural diversity and military capabilities.
The public holiday commemorates the anniversary of India’s official adoption of its constitution, which established it as an independent republic. The parade takes place in Delhi, the country’s capital, and is broadcast live countrywide.
Every year, the country also invites a foreign dignitary to attend the parade as the chief guest; this year, Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, the president of Egypt, is the guest of honor. The parade, which passes through the recently rebuilt Kartavya Path, draws thousands of spectators who endure the January weather (formerly Rajpath). The president, prime minister, and other guests watch as soldiers from military units pass by.
Some regiments ride camels and horses decked out in bright finery, accompanied by drums and bagpipes. Fleets of aircraft are flying in dazzling formations across the sky in a spectacular aerial display.
The performance is then followed by ornate floats or tableaux representing various Indian states. These are frequently based on significant cultural or historical moments that the states want to emphasize. A joyful atmosphere prevails as performers dance and wave their way through the audience. Additionally, some states and districts hold smaller parades and cultural events.
Achievements of India
Several government ministries have tableaux highlighting India’s agriculture, science, and technology achievements. The inaugural parade was organized in 1950 to commemorate the end of India’s ties to the British empire.
“Three thousand men of the armed forces marched before the president. The artillery fired a thirty-one-gun salute while Liberator planes of the Indian air force flew overhead,” the first parade was covered by historian Ramachandra Guha in his book India After Gandhi.
The procession has grown in length and color over the years, and it is a source of pride for Indian states and military regiments to be chosen to participate.
