Republic Day Parade: 'Buggy', Women-Led Contingents & More Rare Sightings On Kartavya Path | Highlights

India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day today, with a grand parade at Delhi's Kartavya Path leading the celebrations, for which French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest. The annual January 26 Republic Day parade at Delhi's Kartavya Path is seeing tableaux from 16 states and a mega display of "women empowerment" along with India's military prowess.

In line with the women-centric themes of 75th Republic Day parade - 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka' - 26 tableaux rolled down the Kartavya Path highlighting "women empowerment" on January 26, while the Delhi Police and tri-service marching contingents were also led by women for the first time. In another rare sight, President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron reached the Kartavya Path in a buggy, the practice which made a comeback after 40 years.

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Delhi was placed under a thick security blanket for the Republic Day parade, with more than 70,000 personnel being deployed across the city for the purpose. Commandoes, quick reaction teams, PCR vans, anti-sabotage checks and SWAT teams were deployed at specific strategic locations at Kartavya Path and all around the city, an official had said, adding that the Delhi Police has prepared to tackle the aerial threats also. 

The Republic Day parade commenced at 10:30 am. Before the ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the National War Memorial, where he led the nation in paying tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, PM Modi and other dignitaries headed to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.

Republic Day 2024 Parade | Highlights

-Military Prowess, 'Nari Shakti' On Display In Republic Day Parade: The Republic Day parade at Delhi's Kartavya Path showcased India’s rich cultural diversity, its military prowess on the back of increasing indigenous capabilities, and the growing Nari Shakti (women power) in the country. Contingents of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, missile systems, critical systems/technologies developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) displayed India's military might.

A total 26 tableaux rolled down the Kartavya Path highlighting "women empowerment" on Republic Day and several contingents saw the participation of women for the first time. For the first time ever, the parade was heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments.

Marching down the Kartavya Path for the first time were also the all-women Tri-Service and the Delhi Police contingents.

Apart from the Delhi Police marching contingent, women also led the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Navy, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) tableaux, Border Security Force (BSF) contingent, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) contingent, the CISF band and many missile systems that rolled down the Kartavya Path.

-India and France Presidents Arrive in ‘Traditional Buggy’: The President of India and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron reached Kartavya Path in a ‘Traditional Buggy’, the practice which is making a comeback after 40 years.

They were escorted by the President’s Bodyguard – ‘Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak’. The President’s Bodyguard is the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army and is completing 250 years of service since its raising in 1773. 

As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns. Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. This was followed by ‘Aavaahan’, a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti.

-PM Modi At National Memorial: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the fallen heroes of the nation at the National War Memorial in Delhi before heading towards Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.

The Inter Services Guard presented the 'Salami Shastra' followed by 'Shok Shastra'. This year's Inter Services Guard is commanded by Indian Army officer Major Indrajeet Sachin from the 6th Bn of the Sikh Regiment.

-R-Day Chief Guest Macron Posts Selfie With Modi: Extending greetings on India's Republic Day, France President Emmanuel Macron posted a selfie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taken at Hawa Mahal in Rajasthan's Jaipur where the two leaders were on Thursday.

"My dear friend @NarendraModi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Let’s celebrate!" Macron said in a post on X.

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-France President Macron As Chief Guest: France President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest for this year's Republic Day celebrations at Delhi's Kartavya Path and landed in India on Thursday. Macron spent the day in Rajasthan's Jaipur, where he held a roadshow with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and took a fort tour. Emmanuel Macron on Thursday visited Pink City's iconic sites of Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal.

A march past by a combined band and marching contingent of the French Armed Forces also walked through the Kartavya Path.

ALSO READ: France President Emmanuel Macron In India As Republic Day Chief Guest | Top Things To Know

-Delhi Metro From 4am Today: Delhi Metro is operational on from 4 am today. Guests and ticket holders may avail metro facility free of cost by displaying their invitation/ticket. 

-Traffic Curbs In Delhi: Elaborate traffic arrangements and restrictions are in place in Delhi for the smooth conduct of Republic Day celebrations. According to an advisory, no traffic movement on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate has been stopped from 6 pm on Wednesday and will continue till the parade is over. Click Here to check all traffic restrictions and alternate routes

-Thick Security Blanket In Delhi: Over 70,000 personnel have been deployed across Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations, Police officials said. Out of over 70,000 personnel, 14,000 will be deployed at and around Kartavya Path for the security of the Republic Day parade, they said.

Commandoes, quick reaction teams, PCR vans, anti-sabotage check and SWAT teams are deployed at the specific strategic locations at Kartavya Path and all around the city, officials said, adding that the Delhi Police has prepared to tackle the aerial threats also. 

Police have ensured that peace prevails in Delhi's "vulnerable" areas following Monday's consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Pathak said. 

-PM Modi Leads Greetings: PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah extended greetings to the country on 75th Republic Day. Rajnath Singh, in a post on X, said "let us reaffirm our commitment towards making India a strong and developed country, on this historic occasion." 

Amit Shah posted on X, "On this auspicious occasion of democracy, I salute all the freedom fighters, constitution makers and the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country."

-IAF Fly-past: The Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path concluded with a grand fly-past that showcased 54 aircraft/helicopters. These included three aircraft from the French Air and Space Force, 46 from the Indian Air Force, one from the Indian Navy, and four helicopters from the Indian Army.

Vintage, as well as modern aircraft such as Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, Rafale, Su-30, MiG-29 Upgrade, P-8I, Jaguar, Dakota, Dornier, C-17, C-130J as well as Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’, Advanced Light Helicopters and Apaches, displayed various formations, including Tejas, Netra, Varuna, Vajraang, Trishul, Amrit, Prachand, Arjan and Tangail.

The concluding Vertical Charlie maneuver was performed by a Rafale fighter aircraft. The ceremony culminated with the national anthem and the release of Tri-colour balloons.

-Padma Awards: The list of Padma awardees was released on Thursday, featuring a total 132 figures from the fields of politics, cinema, art, sports etc. Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, actors Vyjayantimala Bali and Konidela Chiranjeevi, Sulabh International founder late Bindeshwar Pathak, first woman judge of Supreme Court late M Fathima Beevi and Bombay Samachar owner Hormusji N Cama were among 132 eminent persons awarded Padma awards. Actor Mithun Chakraborty, Foxconn Chairman Young Liu from Taiwan, BJP veteran Ram Naik, actor late Vijaykanth, singer Usha Uthup and philanthropist Kiran Nadar were also awarded the coveted civilian awards on the eve of 75th Republic Day, according to an official statement. Full List Here