A Republic Day with a difference

India has been celebrating Republic Day since 1951, and parade has been taking place at the Rajpath since 1955. But this year the Republic Day was a unique event in many ways.

'Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman' programme by National Cadet Corps was lunched this year. To commemorate India’s 75th year of independence 75 aircrafts and helicopters of the Indian Air Force saluted the Supreme Commander.

The cultural performances by 480 dancers were a culmination of a nationwide Vande Bharatam dance competition.

A drone show was done involving 1,000 indigenously developed drones as a product of Make in India campaign.

The parade timing was changed to 10:30am., from 10am. for better visibility of the parade and flypast.

People got to vote for best marching contingent and tableau in popular choice category.

Special arrangements were made for the auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers, safai karamcharis and frontline health workers to watch the Republic Day Parade as well as the 'Beating Retreat' ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the country's bravehearts at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

As a part of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education initiative over eight lakh students from around 4,800 schools across the country participated and shared their inspirational stories through essays, poems, drawings and multimedia presentations. 25 were selected and received cash prize of Rs 10,000 and witness the R-Day parade.

Before the parade the contingents of Central Armed Police Forces undertook static band performances.

Projection mapping commemorated 75 years of Independence for 3-4 minutes on the walls of North and South Block before the end of the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony.

In total there were 16 marching contingents and the Indian Army showcased the evolution of the uniforms and arms over the decades in the parade. Indian Army contingents wore uniform from three decades including the present-day olive green and the new combat uniform.

The first contingent of Rajput Regiment wore the uniform from 1950 and march with .303 rifles.

The second of Assam regiment wore the uniform from 1960 and will carry .303 rifles.

Troops from Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry donned the uniform from 1970 along with the 7.62 mm rifle.

Sikh Light Infantry and Army Ordnance Corps wore the present day olive green along with the INSAS rifles.

The sixth contingent of the Parachute regiment soldiers wore the new combat uniform.

Due to Covid restrictions each marching contingent consisted of 96 soldiers instead of the usual 144.

Similarly, the force also showcased mechanized weapons from vintage to present day era.

The Republic Day celebrations this year have immortalized India’s 75th year of Independence as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav which will culminate with the 75th Independence Day celebrations on 15th August 2022.