Republic Day Parade 2023 Highlights: A spectacle of cultural diversity, Nari Shakti at Kartavya Path concludes

The 74th R-Day parade concluded after the Fly Past by the IAF got disrupted due to foggy weather conditions.

The grand finale and the most eagerly-awaited segment of the parade, the Fly Past, has begun. The Fly Past is witnessing a breath-taking air show by 45 aircraft of Indian Air Force, one from the Indian Navy and four helicopters of Indian Army.

Highlight of the show, the thrilling motorcycle display by Corps of Signals’ Dare Devils team, enters the parade. The team is enthralling the audience with an array of formations, including a Yoga display.

Cultural performances by 479 artists chosen through the nation-wide Vande Bharatam dance competition is adding colour and groove to the Republic Day parade. The theme of the cultural extravaganza is ‘Nari Shakti’ presented by 326 female dancers, ably supported by 153 male dancers, of age group 17-30 years. They are presenting classical, folk and contemporary fusion dances, depicting the ‘Power of Women’ through five elements Earth, Water, Air, Space and Fire.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are conferred on children with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievement in the fields of bravery, art & culture, sports, innovation and social service. Eleven winning children, in jeeps, drive down at Kartavya Path.

Ministers and other members in the audience give standing ovation to the NCC contingent at the parade. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) Boys Marching contingent, comprising 148 Senior Division cadets, will be led by Senior Under Officer Pujari Sivanand of the Maharashtra Directorate. Senior Under Officer Sonali Sahoo of Odisha Directorate will head the NCC Girls Marching contingent, consisting of 148 Senior Division Cadets drawn from all 17 Directorates.

Marching down Kartavya Path are the contingents of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) led by Assistant Commandant Poonam Gupta; Railway Protection Force led by Assistant Security Commissioner Saurav Kumar and Delhi Police led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Shweta S Sugathan. The Camel Contingent of Border Security Force (BSF) will march past the saluting dais under the command of Deputy Commandant Manohar Singh Kheechee. For the first time, female camel riders will participate in the parade, showcasing women empowerment in various fields.

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) showcasing 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, Humsa series of sonars for ships and Low Frequency Dunking Sonar for helicopter launch surveillance.

The Indian Air Force contingent of 144 air warriors and four officers, led by Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy marches at the Kartavya Path. The Air Force tableau, designed on the theme ‘Indian Air Force Power Beyond Boundaries’, display a rotating globe highlighting IAF’s expanded reach. The tableau also displays a team of GARUDs in combat gear with laser designation equipment and specialist weapons.

The Indian Navy contingent comprise of 144 young sailors, led by Lt Cdr Disha Amrith as Contingent Commander. For the first time ever, the marching contingent consists of three women and six Agniveers. It is followed by the Naval Tableau, designed on the theme ‘Indian Navy – Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof’.

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 have march past the saluting dais.

The Indian Army is represented by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, nine Mechanised Columns, six marching contingents and a fly past by Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) of Army Aviation Corps. Main Battle Tank ARJUN, NAG Missile System (NAMIS), Infantry Combat Vehicle of BMP-2 SARATH, 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) is the main attractions in the mechanised columns.

The first contingent in the uniform of the 61 Cavalry led by Captain Raizada Shaurya Bali at the parade. The 61 Cavalry is the only serving active Horse Cavalry Regiment in the world, with the amalgamation of all the ‘State Horse Units’.

Marching down the Kartavya Path for the first time is the combined Band and Marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces, led by Colonel Mahmoud Mohamed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawy. The contingent consist of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

In a first, the 21-gun salute this year has been given with 105-mm Indian Field Guns, replacing the vintage 25 pounder gun.

President Droupadi Murmu along with chief guest Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El –Sisi have arrived at Kartavya Path.

PM Narendra Modi arrives at Kartavya Path ahead of the Republic Day parade, greets Ministers at the event. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and his wife welcomed at the event by PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

President Droupadi Murmu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El –Sisi depart from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path.

After paying tribute at the National War Memorial, PM Narendra Modi is now headed to Kartavya Path. The parade will begin here shortly.

PM Narendra Modi has reached the National War Memorial to lay a wreath as a tribute to martyrs. Thereafter, the PM will head to Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.

Overcast conditions prevailed in Delhi on Republic Day and the minimum temperature settled at 12.8 degrees Celsius, the highest this month so far.

Some parts of the national capital reported shallow fog and the maximum temperature is expected to settle around 19 degrees Celsius.

Cloudy weather in Delhi due to a western disturbance affecting northwest India has kept the minimum temperature within comfortable levels for around a week. Delhi is likely to see cloudy skies for the next four to five days. (PTI)

“The celebrations this year shall witness zeal, enthusiasm, patriotic fervour and ‘Jan Bhagidari’, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the Defence Ministry said. The celebrations will witness performances from Vande Bharatam group of dancers from across India, tales of bravery by Veer Gatha 2.0 participants, music performances by School Bands at the National War Memorial, a drone show and 3D anamorphic projection, among other things. Read more

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to extend greetings on the 74th Republic Day. “In a republic, the rule of the people and the people is the most important thing,” he said. “Our freedom fighters have given a lot of sacrifices for the establishment of republic in India. Now it is the responsibility of all of us to strengthen our republic,” the CM tweeted.

Australian PM Anthony Albanese wished India on the Republic Day and said, “This day is a moment to honour the rich culture and impressive achievements of modern India.” “It's a chance for all those of Indian heritage to unite around their shared love of India & shared faith in its future…I wish all those celebrating a happy Republic Day,” the Australian PM added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to wish the nation on the occasion of Republic Day.

Home Minister Amit Shah took to Twitter to wish the nation on the 74th Republic Day.

The country is celebrating its 74th Republic Day today. The parade for the occasion will begin shortly at Kartavya Path in the national capital at around 10 am.

Stay tuned as we bring you all the live updates from the celebrations.