In a year that has been declared the International Year of Millets by the United Nations, the tableau of the Indian Council Of Agricultural Research on Republic Day depicted the flourishing crops of Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Kutki and Sanwa. It brought out the happiness and the efforts of farmers to provide society with nutritious and healthy millet crops.
The tractor in front of the tableau was decorated with a rangoli of millet grains to represent a combination of traditional farming and modernity. An array of new nutritional millet products, fit for daily consumption, was also showcased.
India is a global leader in the production of millet crops in 21 states and shares more than 15 per cent of the world's total production. The Indian Institute of Millets Research has also succeeded in developing many bio-fortified varieties and products for the benefit of the farmers.
Now promoted as 'super food', farmers benefit by getting good profit from the cultivation of millet crops.
Vibrant tableaux from Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gujarat, West Bengal, and several other states and Union Territories traveled down the renovated Kartavya Path on the occasion of Republic Day. The majority of the floats had "Nari Shakti" as their theme.
The ceremonial procession featured a total of 23 tableaux—17 from states and union territories, and six from other ministries and departments—depicting India's unique cultural history, economic development, and social advancement, Defence Ministry officials said.
The theme chosen by several states this year was mostly 'Nari Shakti,' along with cultural heritage and other themes, according to the official. The West Bengal tableau represented Durga Puja in Kolkata and commemorates its inclusion on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Last year, the federal government commemorated the 400th birth anniversary of the Ahom General. Borphukan was a commander in the former Ahom kingdom and is most remembered for his leadership in the 1671 battle of Saraighat, which prevented Mughal armies from capturing Assam.
This was the first Republic Day celebration held on Rajpath since it was renamed 'Kartavya Path' last year.