Inputs by Shuchi Giridhar
India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day on 26th January 2022.
26th of January 1950 is the day India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic. This day is celebrated as Republic Day.
2022 also marks the 75th year of India’s independence and the government has declared it “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” year. This added special significance to celebrating the Republic day this year.
Changes to Republic Day celebrations from this year
Some important changes were made to the Republic Day celebrations from this year:
A. The Republic Day celebrations will now start on the 23rd of January each year. This is to honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, whose birth anniversary is on January 23rd.
B. The Beating Retreat happens on January 30th each year. On this day, the contingents that have traveled to Delhi to participate in the Republic Day parade go back. Some of the tunes that are used during the Beating Retreat were changed this year to Indian tunes.
The Parade of 2022
Traditionally, the Republic day events include a Parade to exhibit and celebrate India’s military strength
and power, and cultural heritage and diversity.
This year too, the Republic day parade included a showcase of India’s defence capability with a marching
parade by several military regiments. Some of our indigenous (made in India) weaponry, like the Brahmos missiles, were also showcased.
The tableaus
This year, there were 21 tableaux. These consisted of 12 select state floats and 9 ministries or government departments.
A total of 59 cameras were situated around the parade.
The parade was scheduled to start at 10:30.
Just before the start of the parade, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, paid a tribute to all the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for India, at the National War Memorial.
The parade began with President Ram Nath Kovind unfurling the Indian flag along with a 21 gun salute
at the Red fort.
Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav, Subedar (Honorary Lieutenant) Sanjay Kumar, and Colonel D Sreeram Kumar, the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra, were followed by the other dignitaries in delivering the salute to the President and the Supreme Commander of armed forces.
The Ashoka Chakra award was presented by our President Ram Nath Kovind to late Assistant Sub Inspector Babu Ram.
This was followed by the tableaux. Most of the state floats, focused on their culture. On the other hand, the government floats showcased a variety of topics. There were floats focusing on the initiatives taken by the government to develop India, such as the Jal Jeevan mission. Tribute was paid to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary by the float presented by the Central Public Works Department.
This was followed by the dancers showcasing India’s cultural heritage. They were selected from all over India with over 480 of them performing in the parade. After the procession, the Air force presented a grand flypast with 75 aircrafts. The aircrafts assembled in many beautiful formations. To signify 75 years of independence, the aircraft also took the Amrit formation. For the first time, the Indian Air Force released a video from the cockpit of one of the aircraft in the flypast. It was much appreciated on the internet.
Greetings from International Leaders
Leaders from all over the world greeted India on its 73rd Republic Day. The Prime Minister responded to each of them. They included the premiers of Nepal, Bhutan, France, Australia, Mauritius, Maldives, Israel, Sri Lanka, among others.
Other functions that are held at this time
Two other important national events take place at this time of the year, to coincide with the Republic Day celebrations:
A. The Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (National Awards for children) are handed out at this time. Traditionally, the winners of these prizes also participated in the parade, but for the last 2 years, the ceremony is being held virtually.
B. The Padma Awards – Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan are presented. Though these awards are usually held in March/ April, this year, they were held around Republic Day.
C. On the birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar are presented to institutions and individuals who have done great work in Disaster Management.
All images from the Twitter account of @narendramodi and @pib_india