Republic Day 2019: India Showcases Military Might, Rich Cultural Diversity At 70th R-day Parade

With South African President Cyril Ramaphosa watching the proceedings, India on Saturday displayed its military might and rich cultural diversity during the dazzling 70th Republic Day parade in the Capital which for the first time saw veteran soldiers of the Indian National Army walking down the Rajpath.

The Republic Day Parade Ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the nation in paying homage to soldiers killed in combat by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. The parade commanded by Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area, commenced after the unfurling of the national flag and a 21-gun salute. The parade commander was the first one to salute the President.

The proud winners of the highest gallantry awards Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra followed the parade commander. This year veterans of the Indian National Army (INA) who fought valiantly against the imperial forces also took part in the parade, including four veterans Parmanand, Lalti Ram, Hira Singh and Bhagmal, who are aged between 95 to 100 years.

The K-9 Vajra and the M777 howitzers took part in the parade for the first time this year. The marching contingents of the Army which followed the armoured columns in the parade included the Madras Regiment, the Rajputana Rifles, the Sikh Regiment, the Gorkha Brigade, the Army Service Corps, and the 102 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Punjab.

The marching contingents were followed by the Veterans’ Tableau, which marked recognition and respect to the soldiers’ selfless service to the nation. The Combined Band of the Sikh Light Infantry, Mahar Regimental Centre and Ladakh Scouts played the martial tune ‘Shankhnaad’ for the first time in the Parade.

The Naval Contingent comprising 144 young sailors and led by Lieutenant Commander Ambika Sudhakarn as Contingent Commander followed the Army columns. It was followed by Naval tableau titled, ‘Indian Navy – Combat Ready Force for National Security’.

Children’s Pageant was led by Navy Children School Chankyapuri, Delhi with the performance “Jai Ghosh”- a proclamation of faith and assurance in the principles of the divine soul, Mahatma Gandhi. Children of Government Schools of Bihar Eastern Zone, Cultural Centre, Kolkata danced on the song by reiterating this dream of “Bapu Ka Sapna”. Students of Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya (RPVV) Kishan Ganj, Delhi and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Paschim Vihar, Delhi paid homage and reverence to Bapu’s ideology through scintillating dance performances.

Of courage and determination!#ParamVirChakra awardees participate in the #RepublicDay2019 parade pic.twitter.com/RwcWXZBTPY

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive)

"She believed she could, so she did!"

Lt. Bhavna Kasturi leads the @adgpi Service Corps regiment at #RepublicDay2019 parade pic.twitter.com/b4snQUERKU

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive)

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me"

In a first, all-women #AssamRifles contingent marches past Rajpath on #RepublicDay2019 pic.twitter.com/F6M3xhmL1U

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive)

Tableau of #AndamanAndNicobar Islands depicts Mahatma Gandhi's impact on the inmates of cellular jail#RepublicDay2019 pic.twitter.com/SAxrGeAwhI

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive)

"Here’s to strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them"

Lt. Ambika Sudhakaran leads @indiannavy's marching regiment at #RepublicDay2019 parade pic.twitter.com/yBVA2u5eBG

— Doordars

'Mohan se Mahatma'@IRCTCofficial showcases transformation of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting the incident when he was thrown out of a 'European only' compartment at Pietermaritzburg railway station#RepublicDay2019

"Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim"

Captain Shikha Surbhi gives a standing salute on a motorcycle to the President at #RepublicDay2019 parade pic.twitter.com/WT25KnhnuD

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive)

Congratulations to Team @DDNational and @AkashvaniAIR for yet another spectacular coverage of the Republic Day Parade. pic.twitter.com/0tlWbM7gak

— Shashi Shekhar (@shashidigital)

Witness fearlessness. Witness the fly past!

India's #RepublicDay2019 celebrations aren't complete without her heroes from the sky pic.twitter.com/maMKG3w7zH

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive)

#republicdayindia : 33 people on 9 motorcycles make a human pyramid, Subedar Major Ramesh A leads this formation. pic.twitter.com/mC50FFdTfb

— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019