As India woke up to celebrate its 75th Republic Day today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to the heroes of the nation at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, PTI reported. He spearheaded the nation’s homage by placing a wreath as a solemn tribute.
National War Memorial
The National War Memorial was inaugurated by PM Modi in 2019. It is a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in various conflicts, including the India-China War in 1962, the India-Pakistan Wars in 1947, 1965, and 1971, the Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka, the Kargil Conflict in 1999, and those who served in UN peacekeeping missions.
The memorial is spread over an area of about 40 acres and encompasses four concentric circles : the ‘Amar Chakra’, ‘Veerta Chakra’, ‘Tyag Chakra’ and the ‘Rakshak Chakra’ with the names of 25,942 soldiers inscribed in golden letters on granite tablets.
Additionally, it features a central 15.5-meter obelisk, a perpetual flame, and a covered gallery adorned with six bronze murals illustrating renowned battles undertaken by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Republic Day parade
The Republic Day parade has now commenced at the Kartavya Path in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who is this year’s Chief Guest.
The location can accommodate 77,000 attendees, with 42,000 seats designated for the general public. The parade is anticipated to span around 90 minutes.
For the first time, the Republic Day parade started with 100 female artists showcasing their skills in playing traditional Indian musical instruments like Sankh, Naadswaram, and Nagada. This marks a departure from the previous practice where military bands traditionally performed this role.