Finance
President Droupadi Murmu started the 75th Republic Day celebrations on Friday (January 26) by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. The President on her arrival was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In keeping with time-honored traditions, the National Flag was unfurled, followed by the National Anthem, the resonant notes blending seamlessly with the powerful echoes of a 21-gun salute executed with the indigenous 105-mm Indian Field Guns. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Defence Minsiter Rajnath Singh, visited National War Memorial in Delhi to honor the martyrs for their lives in the service of the nation on the occasion of Republic Day.
On the 75th Republic Day today, India celebrates and showcasing its achievements as “Viksit Bharat” and “Bharat — Loktantra ki matrika”, the themes of this year’s celebrations, as it emphasizes its role as a nurturer of democracy.
The Republic Day Parade starts at the Kartavya Path showcasing the country’s military might and cultural diversity — kicked off. This year, the parade has twin themes — ‘Visit Bharat’ (developed India) and ‘Bharat — Loktantra Ki Matruka’ (India — the mother of democracy). The stadium can accommodate 77,000 people, of which 42,000 are set aside for general admission. It is anticipated that the parade will go for about ninety minutes.
In a first, the Republic Day parade begins with 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram and Nagada, marking a shift from the past when this was done by military bands.
Another first in the parade is the participation of two French Rafale fighter jets and a Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft in the flypast. A 95-member French marching contingent and a 33-member band contingent will also take part in the celebrations.
French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.
A tri-service women contingent consisting of 144 people, 48 from each service, participating in the parade for the first time. The defense secretary also announced that all-women contingents will be part of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
The march is expected to include some 13,000 VIP guests, including Indian holders of patents and copyrights as well as those who prospered by utilizing various government programs. There are 77,000 seats available at Kartavya Path, 42,000 of which are set aside for the general public.
He said the objective of inviting special guests is to provide an opportunity to the people from all walks of life to take part in celebrations in line with the government’s vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’.
The special guests also include sarpanches of vibrant villages, women workers of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, electronic manufacturing sectors, central vista project, women ISRO scientists, yoga teachers, winners of international sports events and paralympic medalists.
A total of 25 tableaux from 16 States and UTs and nine ministries and departments will be participating in the celebrations.
Anant Sutra, an infinite thread made up of about 1,900 sarees and drapes from all over the nation, would be another highlight.
The first-ever flypast of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) C-295 medium transport aircraft, which was inducted in September of last year, will pass over Kartavya Path.
51 aircraft in all, including one vintage aircraft, 13 helicopters, eight IAF transports, and 29 fighters, would take part in the flypast. These comprise one P-8I maritime patrol aircraft from the Navy and four Army helicopters operating in different formations.
