New Delhi: The celebration of Republic Day this year will witness zeal, enthusiasm, patriotic fervor, and "Jan Bhagidari," as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, building on the 75th anniversary of Independence, celebrated as "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav." On January 26, 2023, President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation as it celebrates Republic Day from Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
The parade's chief guest will be Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
On January 23, the freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary, the celebrations that would last a week began. A one-of-a-kind Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance Festival called "Aadi Shaurya - Parv Parakram ka" was held in New Delhi on January 23 and 24 to commemorate the occasion.
The events will come to an end on January 30th, which is Martyrs' Day.
The first-ever e-invitations, largest-ever drone show, and 3-D anamorphic projection are among the highlights of the celebrations, which also include stirring performances by the Vande Bharatam group of dancers from all over the country, bravery tales from Veer Gatha 2.0 participants, melodious performances by School Bands at the National War Memorial, and more.
The Parade
The Republic Day parade, which will begin around 10:30 a.m. and showcase the country's growing indigenous capabilities, Nari Shakti, and the emergence of a "New India," will be a one-of-a-kind combination of the country's military might and cultural diversity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a visit to the National War Memorial before the parade begins. He will lead the nation in laying a wreath to pay respects to the fallen heroes.
After that, the Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials will make their way to the saluting dais on Kartavya Path to watch the parade.
Following the National Anthem and a thunderous 21-gun salute, the National Flag will be raised in accordance with custom. The 21-gun salute will be fired by 105-mm Indian Field Guns, one of many firsts.
It takes the place of the old 25-pounder gun, which is a nod to the growing "Aatmanirbharta" in defense. At Kartavya Path, four Mi-17 1V/V5 helicopters from the 105 Helicopter Unit will sprinkle flower petals on the audience.
The President will give the salute before the parade begins. A second-generation Army officer, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, winner of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, will lead the parade. The Parade Second-in-Command will be Major General Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Delhi Area.
Following them will be the proud recipients of the highest gallantry awards.
They include Ashok Chakra and Param Vir Chakra winners. Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Bana Singh, 8 JAK LI (Retd), winner of the Param Vir Chakra; Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers (Retd), Subedar (Honorary Lieutenant) Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles, and Major General CA Pithawalla (Retd), both winners of the Ashok Chakra; The Deputy Parade Commander will be followed by Colonel D Sreeram Kumar and Lieutenant Colonel Jas Ram Singh (Retd) in Jeeps.
The most notable act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy is given the Param Vir Chakra, and similar acts of bravery and self-sacrifice are given the Ashok Chakra, but not in the face of the enemy.
Egyptian Contingent
The Egyptian Armed Forces' combined Band and Marching contingent, led by Colonel Mahmoud Mohamed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawy, will be the first to march down the Kartavya Path. The main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces will be represented by 144 soldiers in the contingent.
Indian Army Contingents
Indian Army Contingents Captain Raizada Shaurya Bali will command the first contingent of the 61 Cavalry. With the amalgamation of all "State Horse Units," the 61 Cavalry is the only Horse Cavalry Regiment in the world that is currently in service.
A mounted column of 61 cavalry, nine mechanized columns, six marching contingents, and an aerial flyover by Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) from the Army Aviation Corps will represent the Indian Army. The main attractions in the mechanized columns will be the Main Battle Tank ARJUN, the NAG Missile System (NAMIS), the Infantry Combat Vehicle of BMP-2 SARATH, the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle, the K-9 Vajra-tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer Gun, the BrahMos missile, the 10m Short Span Bridge, the Mobile Microwave Node & Mobile Network Center, and AKASH (New Generation Equipment).
The saluting dais will be passed by six Army marching contingents, including the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, the Punjab Regiment, the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, the Dogra Regiment, and the Gorkha Brigade.
Veterans’ Tableau
Veterans' Tableau, with the theme "Towards India's Amrit Kaal with Resolve - A Veterans' Commitment," will be another highlight of the parade this year. During "Amrit Kaal," it will show veterans' contributions over the past 75 years and their efforts to shape India's future.
Indian Navy Contingent
144 young sailors will make up the Indian Navy contingent, which will be led by Lt. Col. Disha Amrith as Contingent Commander. The marching group now includes six Agniveers and three women for the first time ever. The Naval Tableau, based on the theme "Indian Navy - Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future Proof," will come next. Under "Aatmanirbhar Bharat," it will highlight the Indian Navy's multifaceted capabilities, Nari Shakti, and important indigenously designed and constructed assets.
The Dornier aircraft's female crew will be depicted in the forward portion of the tableau, highlighting the all-women crew surveillance mission that was carried out last year. The Navy's "Make in India" initiatives will be displayed in the main section of the tableau. A Dhruv helicopter carrying marine commandos and a model of the new indigenous Nilgiri class ship will be displayed. Native Kalvari class submarine models will be shown on the sides. Models of indigenously developed autonomous unmanned systems will be displayed in the tableau's rear section as part of the iDEX-Sprint Challenge.
Indian Air Force Contingent Led by Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy, the Indian Air Force contingent will consist of 144 air warriors and four officers. The Indian Air Force's expanded reach, through which it has been able to provide humanitarian assistance across borders as well as exercises conducted with friendly nations, will be highlighted by a rotating globe in the Air Force tableau, which was designed with the theme "Indian Air Force Power Beyond Boundaries."
Light Combat Helicopter "Prachand," Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft NETRA, and C-295 Transport aircraft will also be on display.
A group of GARUDs in combat gear, equipped with laser designation equipment and specialty weapons, will also be on display in the tableau.
DRDO Tableau & Equipment
One tableau and one piece of equipment from the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will be on display. "Securing Nation with Effective Surveillance, Communication, and Neutralizing Threats" is the theme of the tableau. The first section will showcase Underwater Surveillance Platforms, which include sonars for submarines like the Ushus-2, ships like the Humsa series, and helicopter launch surveillance devices like the Low-Frequency Dunking Sonar.
Land Surveillance, Communication, and Neutralizing Platforms will be featured in the second section of this tableau. These platforms will showcase D4 counter-drone systems, which are capable of searching for, detecting, tracking, and neutralizing targets in real-time.
The Missile Launcher Vehicle, Battery Multifunction Radar, and two Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile Weapon Systems will also be displayed.
Aerial surveillance and communication platforms, airborne early warning and control systems, and TAPAS BH Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAVs will be showcased in the third section. Through a semiconductor R&D facility, the rear portion will represent DRDO's research activities.
DRDO will display the indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), a modular 8X8 wheeled combat platform that is carried on a 70-ton trailer, as equipment.
Indian Coast Guard Contingent
Deputy Commandant Rohit Singh will be in charge of the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) marching contingent. With 157 ships and 78 aircraft, the ICG is capable of confronting maritime threats.
Since its inception, the ICG's constant surveillance has enabled the seizure of contraband worth more than 14,546 crore yen, including 2,620 crore in 2022 alone. As part of "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav," the flag was hoisted on 100 inhabited and uninhabited far-flung islands, demonstrating its reach and capability. Women officers in all spheres have been given opportunities by the ICG, a pioneer in women's empowerment.
Contingents Of CAPF & Delhi Police
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), led by Assistant Commandant Poonam Gupta, will also march down Kartavya Path with contingents of the Delhi Police and CAPF; the Delhi Police, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Shweta S. Sugathan, and the Railway Protection Force, led by Assistant Security Commissioner Saurav Kumar. Under the direction of Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh Kheechee, the Camel Contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) will march past the dais as the salutes are given. The parade will feature female camel riders for the first time, showcasing women's empowerment in a variety of fields.
NCC Contingents
The Boys Marching contingent of the National Cadet Corps, which consists of 148 Senior Division cadets, will be led by Senior Under Officer Pujari Sivanand of the Maharashtra Directorate.
The NCC Girls Marching team, which includes 148 Senior Division Cadets from each of the 17 Directorates, will be led by Senior Under Officer Sonali Sahoo of the Odisha Directorate.
National Service Scheme contingent
The marching contingent of the National Service Scheme (NSS), which consists of 148 volunteers, will march under the direction of Aanchal Sharma, who is from Himachal Pradesh and works for the Regional Directorate of the NSS in Chandigarh.
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Winners
Winners of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is given to children who have excelled in bravery, art and culture, sports, innovation, and social service. Jeeps will transport eleven winning children down the Kartavya Path.
Tableaux of States/UTs & Ministries/Departments
Twenty-three tableaux representing the nation's rich cultural heritage, economic progress, and strong internal and external security will also roll down the Kartavya Path, including 17 from States/Union Territories and six from various Ministries/Departments.
Everything You Need To Know About This Year's Event!
1. This year, the march to National Stadium, which used to end at Red Fort, has been shortened for the walking contingents.
2. In light of COVID-19 at this time, the Republic Day march, which begins at Raisina Hills and travels through Rajpath, India Gate, and Red Fort, will now simply ascend to the National Stadium.
3. The Republic Day Parade will feature eight Indian military contingents, including six from the Army and one each from the Air Force and Navy. The most recent Tavor rifles will be paired with the brand-new battle uniform worn by the unforeseen Parachute regiment.
4. The automated section contains an "extraordinary" mix of new and vintage hardware. A PT-76 and Centurion tank, both of which were involved in the conflicts of 1965 and 1971, will be displayed in the reinforcement section toward the front. Arjun, the fundamental combat tank, will follow.
5. There would be a total of 16 walking groups there. Eight of these will come from the Indian Armed Forces, four from the Special Armed Police Force, two from the NCC, and one each from the Delhi Police and NSS.
6. In total, 21 scenes will be shown during the procession.
7. There will be two cycle arrangements for the engines. BSF will be the women's group and ITBP will be the men's group.
8. A flypast will be performed by 75 Indian Air Force aircraft in 15 developments.
9. The Beating Retreat event in Delhi's Vijay Chowk will feature two brand-new aspects.
10. A laser projection mapping of the North and South square walls would be performed following the event's conclusion. It will be followed by a robot show featuring 1,000 drones.
