Republic Day 2023 Highlights: Daredevils and IAF's breathtaking fly-past steal the show at stunning R'day parade

The grand finale and the most eagerly-awaited segment of the parade, the Fly Past, witnessed a breathtaking air show by 45 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, one from the Indian Navy and four helicopters from the Indian Army.
 

Corps of Signals Daredevils team mesmerises the audience with their performance at Kartavya Path on Republic Day. The team also includes a group of women daredevils showcasing stunts on motorbike.

Various Indian ministries showcases their tableaus at the Republic Day parade with themes resonating the ideas of future India.

Among the 17 tableaux by states and Union Territories for the Republic Day parade, the Assam tableau was based on the theme, "Land of heroes and spiritualism" and featured Bihu dancers. The Gujarat tableau was based on the theme "Clean Green Energy Efficient Gujarat." The Uttarakhand tableau featured the Manaskhand tourism corridor on which work is underway.

Tableaus from different states and the Union Territory of India showcase a cultural blend of the country's diverse and rich history.

For the first time, women constables appeared in the Border Security Force's camel band this year.
 

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Boys Marching contingent, comprising 148 Senior Division cadets, is led by senior under officer Pujari Sivanand of the Maharashtra Directorate.

Senior under officer Sonali Sahoo of Odisha Directorate is heading the NCC Girls Marching contingent, consisting of 148 senior division cadets drawn from all 17 directorates.

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) showcases one tableau and equipment. The theme of the tableau is 'Securing Nation with Effective Surveillance, Communication and Neutralising Threats'.

The first part displays Underwater Surveillance Platforms, which include sonars like Ushus-2 for submarines, the Humsa series of sonars for ships and the Low-Frequency Dunking Sonar for helicopter launch surveillance.

The second part of this tableau has Land Surveillance, Communication and Neutralising platforms showcasing D4 counter-drone systems, which can perform a real-time search, detection, tracking and neutralising targets. 

The Indian Air Force contingent comprises 144 air warriors and four officers, led by Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy. The Air Force tableau, designed on the theme 'Indian Air Force Power Beyond Boundaries', displays a rotating globe highlighting IAF's expanded reach, whereby it has been able to provide humanitarian assistance across borders, as also exercises conducted with friendly countries. It also showcases Light Combat Aircraft Tejas MK-II, Light Combat Helicopter 'Prachand', Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft NETRA and C-295 Transport aircraft. The tableau also displays a team of GARUDs in combat gear with laser designation equipment and specialist weapons.

The Indian Navy tableau featured a women aircrew of Dornier aircraft, representing all-women crew surveillance sortie undertaken last year. The main section of the tableau displayed the 'Make in India' initiatives of the Navy. It included a model of the new indigenous Nilgiri class ship with a Dhruv helicopter deploying marine commandos, models of indigenous Kalvari class submarines and autonomous unmanned systems being indigenously-developed under iDEX-Sprint Challenge.

The Indian Army represented at the Republic Day parade by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, nine Mechanised Columns, six marching contingents, and a fly past by Army Aviation Corps Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).

ARJUN Main Battle Tank, NAG Missile System (NAMIS), BMP-2 SARATH Infantry Combat Vehicle, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle, K-9 Vajra-tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer Gun, BrahMos missile, 10m Short Span Bridge, Mobile Microwave Node & Mobile Network Centre, and AKASH (New Generation Equipment) were also on display.

Another highlight of the parade this year is the Veterans' Tableau, with the theme 'Towards India's Amrit Kaal with Resolve - A Veterans' Commitment'. It provides a glimpse of veterans' contributions in the last 75 years and their initiatives in shaping India's future during 'Amrit Kaal'.

A total of six marching contingents of the Army, including The Mechanised Infantry Regiment, The Punjab Regiment, The Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, The Dogra Regiment, The Bihar Regiment and The Gorkha Brigade march past the saluting dais.

Captain Raizada Shaurya Bali leads the first contingent in 61 Cavalry uniform. With the amalgamation of all the 'State Horse Units,' the 61 Cavalry is the world's only active horse cavalry regiment.

President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with a 21-gun salute with the Indigenous 105-mm Indian Field Guns (IFG) as she arrived at the Kartavya Path along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egypt President el-Sisi.
 

For the first time in history, one of the world's oldest armies, the Egyptian Army marches on Kartavya Path. The contingent consists of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces led by Col Elkharasawy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the saluting dias at Kartavya Path, where he welcome President Droupadi Murmu and Chief Guest Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He was welcomed by the crowd and dignitaries with cheers and applause.
 

Ahead of the 74th Republic Day celebrations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomes PM Narendra Modi at the National War Memorial. PM Modi is also accompanied with CDS Lt General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari to lay wreath at the memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of our brave soldiers. 

Indian Army Dog 'ZOOM' of the 28 Army Dog Unit posthumously awarded the Mention-in-Despatches gallantry award. Zoom died after sustaining two gunshot injuries in Op Tangpawa, Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir on 9 October last year.

This year, India is celebrating its 74th Republic Day, here are some highlights to look forward to at the Republic Day 2023 parade: 

1. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will be the chief guest at the parade

2. A contingent of 144 soldiers and a 12-member band of the Egyptian Army will also take part 

3. The 105mm Indian field gun will replace the British-era 25-pounder artillery for giving the 21-gun salute to the President

4. Female camel riders to participate in the Republic Day parade for the first time. These women riders are a part of the BSF's Camel regiment. This is aimed at showcasing women empowerment or Nari Shakti in several fields

5. Garud commandos of the Indian Air Force will also participate in the parade for the first time. Formations like Bheem and Bajrang will also be displayed for the very first time

6. The Indian Air Force will also showcase the indigenous light attack helicopter Prachand

7. Indian Navy's IL-38 will be featured in the Republic Day aerial show for the first and probably the last time. The IL-38 is a maritime reconnaissance aircraft and has been in the Navy for 42 years

8. A 3D anamorphic projection will be projected on the North and South Block's facade during Beating the Retreat ceremony in a first

US Embassy wishes India on its 74th Republic Day with a beautiful rendition of our national song, Vande Matram. 

Around 60,000 spectators gathered around the newly-refurbished Central Vista on a misty morning on 26 January. On this day, our constitution, which is the world's largest and most meticulously written constitution was officially adopted. Every year on this day, people from all around India gathered at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi braving the cold weather and security checks to see the spectacle of rising India. 

Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankar extended wishes to people of the nation on 74th Republic Day. In his tweet, he wrote, "It is also an occasion to recall the contributions of all the freedom fighters, great thinkers & unsung heroes whose sacrifice has laid the foundations to our Republic. On this day, let us celebrate our achievements & rededicate ourselves towards the endeavor of nation-building."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Indians on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day, saying that Indians should work together to realise the dreams of the country's freedom fighters. The Prime Minister sent out a tweet in Hindi, "Many wishes for the Republic Day. This time this occasion is also special because we are celebrating it during the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. We wish to move ahead unitedly to make the dreams of the great freedom fighters of the country come true. Happy Republic Day to all fellow Indians!" 

In her maiden speech on the eve of Republic Day, Droupadi Murmu focuses on the challenges faced by global warming and climate change in India and all around the world. She also drew our attention to the dilemma that developing nations are facing right now, which is the need to uplift more people from poverty through economic growth which is inevitably tied to fossil fuels, and how India was still making big moves on renewable energy. 

She called Mahatma Gandhi the "true prophet of our times" for his ability to foresee the "calamities of indiscriminate industrialisation" and said G20 was an ideal forum to discuss and find solutions to such global challenges.

Talking about India's initiative Atamanirbhar Bharat, which has helped most sectors of the economy, President said, "The respect that India has earned on the world stage has resulted in new opportunities as well as responsibilities". 

The Ahmedabad-based artist Parth Kothekar beautifully crafted a hand-cut paper artwork to illustrate Google Doodle celebrating Republic Day 2023. 

In the feature, President House is a significant element with spectacular bike pyramids in the background. The bike pyramids are formed by defense personnel at the Republic Day parade every year. Some horsemen are also visible in the illustration that remind us of the 61 Cavalry regiment, which is the only active horse cavalry unit in the world at present. The Google Doodle also consists of other India elements like the CRPF marching contingent, India Gate, peacock (which is India's national bird).

On the occasion of 74th Republic Day, India will showcase its military might and indigenous power to the world at the Kartavya Path in Delhi. To mark the event, this year will be special in many aspects, here are some of the many FIRST that we will witness this year:

1. This is first time when the Republic Day parade will take place at the newly-named and revamped Kartavya Path (which was called Rajpath earlier) 

2. Unlike the old times, when front rows were reserved for VVIPs, this year shramjeevis (workers who helped build the Central Vista), their families, maintenance workers of Kartavya Path, and other members of the community such as rickshaw pullers, small grocers and vegetable vendors will be seated in front of the main row during the parade.

3. For the first time, women will form part of the BSF Camel Contingent.

Read more here. 

The Republic Day celebrations will take oplace amid tight security arrangements with the deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs), the National Security Guard (NSG), anti-drone teams. Additionally, over 150 CCTVs have been installed, and cameras for facial recognition have also been installed.

President Droupadi Murmu approved 412 Gallantry awards and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 74th Republic Day. As per a statement issued by the defence ministry,  the recipients of the awards this year include six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumous; 15 Shaurya Chakras, including two posthumous; one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry); 92 Sena Medals, including four posthumous; one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) (posthumous); seven Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry); and 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals.The government will also give away three Uttam Yudh Seva Medals; one Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal; 52 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals; 10 Yudh Seva Medals; four Bar to Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty); 36 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty); and two Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) (posthumous).11 Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), including three posthumous; 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty); two Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and126 Vishisht Seva Medals will also be awarded.

On Wednesday, the Indian government had announced the winners of the Padma Awards- which is one of the highest civilian awards in the country. Some of the notable people to receive the award are Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) pioneer Dilip Mahalanabis (posthumous), tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, and music director and Golden Globe award winner for ‘RRR’ songs MM Keeravani. 

Click here to check the full list of Padma awardees

This year, India's Republic Day parade will see many firsts at the Kartavya Path in Delhi. 

Click here to read more

Marching down the Kartavya Path (in New Delhi) for the first time will be the combined Band and Marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces, led by Colonel Mahmoud Mohamed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawy. The contingent will have 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of Egypt's military.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is this year's chief guest for the Republic Day parade. This is the first time that an Egyptian leader has been invited on India`s Republic Day. After taking part in the celebrations, El-Sisi will attend an `At-Home` reception by Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.Later, El-Sisi will be called on by Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and the two sides will hold a meeting.

The iconic parade starting at 10.30 am from Vijay Chowk and proceeding to the Red Fort ground. The parade will be a unique mix of India's military prowess and cultural diversity.