New Delhi: The Central Public Works Department’s (CPWD) tableau at this year’s Republic Day Parade depicted Subhas Chandra Bose and warriors of the Indian National Army, in a floral tribute to Netaji.


The float was embellished with flowers, and bore the slogan ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' on its sides, a PTI report said. 


A bust of Bose in a saluting pose is depicted in the front portion of the tableau, while heroes of the INA were portrayed on a kiosk through old photographs.



A bust of Bose in a saluting pose is depicted in the front portion of the tableau, while heroes of the INA were portrayed on a kiosk through old photographs. | Photo: Twitter/@airnewsalerts


In the middle portion of the tableau, the Indian national flag has been shown.


An audio clip of Netaji exhorting people to fight for the country’s independence was played, as the tableau rolled down Rajpath. 


As a tribute to the Azad Hind Fauj, which the INA is popularly known as, many members of the troupe wore matching INA uniforms. 


During the display on the ceremonial boulevard, phrases from the song ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaiye Ja’ were played. 






In 1943, Bose revived the Indian National Army. 


In the rear portion of the tableau, historical events of the Moirang War were shown. In Moirang, which is a small town in Manipur, the tricolour was hoisted for the first time on Indian soil on April 14, 1944. Colonel Shaukat Malik of the INA had hoisted the tricolour. 


The CPWD is known to use floral tableau to depict India’s monuments and rich cultural heritage. The floral tableau depicting Netaji and warriors of the INA at the 73rd Republic Day parade enraptured spectators, the PTI report said. 


"India's distinguished revolutionary, Netaji gave his sweat and bold to free India and his words 'It is blood alone that can pay the price of freedom. Give me blood and I will give you freedom' and 'Freedom is not given, it is taken', have always inspired millions," the PTI report quoted the government as saying. 


Describing the tableau, the government said that the entire tableau has been crafted in flowers in their natural, vibrant colour to establish an eye-pleasing experience. 


On January 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a hologram logo of Bose under the canopy in the India Gate complex, to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji. 


Before that, Modi had announced that a grand statue of Netaji will be installed in the canopy. The statue will serve as a symbol of India's indebtedness to him.


The canopy was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the new capital’s main buildings sitting on the Raisina Hill complex.