India celebrates 75th Republic Day, parade to begin shortly at Kartavya Path

NEW DELHI: It is yet another January 26 and India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day on Friday. Indian president Droupadi Murmu will unfurl the Indian national flag at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, where the Republic Day parade showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity will take place at 10:30 am.

French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest for the event. The Republic Day celebrations are being held on the theme of Vikasit Bharat and Bharat - Model of World Strategy. 13,000 special guests are participating in the parade this time. Governor Arif Muhammad Khan will hoist the flag in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the celebrations in Kerala.

Based on the theme of Nari Shakti, women officers of various forces are leading the parade this time. Delhi Police will be headed by Malayali IPS officer Shweta K. Sugathan. For the first time in history, more than 100 women will start the parade by playing Indian musical instruments like Shankh, Nadaswaram and Nagada. Women pilots will also enthral the audience in the flypast representing Nari Shakti.

The Delhi Police team, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Shweta Sugathan, will consist of only women officers. Other armed forces are also headed by women officers. Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar and Major General Sumit Mehta are leading the Republic Day Parade. This time 90 members of the French Armed Forces will also participate under the leadership of Captain Noel.

They will be accompanied by a 30-member French band. A multi-role tanker aircraft from France and two Rafale fighter jets will fly over the troops.

Advanced Light Helicopters, Nag Missiles, Infantry Combat Vehicle, Pinaka, Weapon Locating Radar System 'Swati', Drone Jammer System and other modern war equipment and India’s ingenious weapons will be on display in the parade.

Kerala’s tableau for the Republic Day parade was rejected this year. Uttar Pradesh will follow the example of Ayodhya Ram Temple in their tableau. The beneficiaries of central government schemes have been invited as special guests.