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The significance of Republic Day gained new dimensions only after you watch it in-person.
Can’t believe it's already been a year! My maiden visit to New Delhi last year perfectly aligned with the Republic Day celebrations. For someone who is fascinated by Republic Day, this presented an exciting opportunity to watch the parade live. I feel that the day serves as a reminder to the citizens of India of what our country is capable of. And for patriots like me, the day provides an opportunity to appreciate India’s military prowess and admire the artistic take on various tableau from different states. In my opinion, Republic Day is a tapestry woven with sacrifice, dedication, and unity. The day has a cultural impact that transcends generations and beyond regional boundaries.
So, it was obvious for me to get the tickets to the Republic Day Parade and the Beating Retreat Ceremony the moment I landed in Delhi. You can read about my experience at the Beating Retreat Ceremony here (hyperlink to the Beating Retreat Ceremony blog here).
On January 25, 2023, after concluding my business in the city, I could barely contain my excitement for the next day and what was about to unfold. January 26, 2023 was a cold morning with overcast skies. And being one of the attendees, I decided to start the day a little earlier than usual. I reached Kartavya Path, formerly known as a Rajpath, by 6.30 am and I found myself settled by 7.00 am ready to witness the pride of the country marchpast in front of me.
As I waited for the Republic Day Parade to start, I began to reminisce about my childhood and the impact of January 26. While many may consider it as just another holiday, for me Republic Day holds a special place in my heart. Ever since I could remember, the rituals on January 26 were pretty straightforward. Hailing from a small town of Siliguri in West Bengal, my Republic Day ritual would start by seeing the President of India on TV paying respect to the Amar Jawan Jyoti & honour the iconic 21-gun salute. As the parade began, my father would cook the lip-smacking Loochi-Aalur Dom – A quintessential Bengali breakfast consisting of thin, small, deep-fried Indian flatbread served with a spicy potato gravy. Our family relished them as we sat together & appreciated the poignant march past by different regiments of the armed forces and tableaus from different states. It won’t be wrong to say that Republic Day has played a significant role in shaping my childhood.
Coming back to the parade, the activities started with the arrival of the President of India, Draupadi Murmu at Kartavya Path. As the parade unfolded before me on that chilly January morning in New Delhi, the significance of Republic Day gained new dimensions. It’s one thing to see the synchronized movements of the armed forces on television. But to see them march past with pride in front of you is an experience you simply cannot miss. The way they walked showed strength of our armed forces and remained a testament to the sacrifices made to safeguard our freedom. Each disciplined step seemed to echo the struggles of our freedom fighters, reinforcing the value of the hard-won independence we often take for granted.
One of the highlights of the parade was seeing the Indian Navy’s Republic Day contingent of 144 young sailors led by Lt Commander Disha Amrith. This was followed by its tableau that showcased the ‘Nari Shakti’ in the force.
The tableau from various states and government departments was a sight to behold. The kaleidoscope of colours and cultural richness, the tableaus showed the living embodiment of India's diversity. They showcased not just the traditions and heritage of each state but also the continual evolution and adaptability of our society.
With the inauguration of Ram Mandir scheduled to happen on January 21, 2024, Uttar Pradesh’s tableau during the 74th Republic Day parade showed Lord Ram and Goddess Sita being welcomed by the people of Ayodhya on their return from exile. The tableau also showed Deepotsav celebrations in the temple town.
Another tableau that left an impression on me was Arunachal Pradesh. As someone who likes to travel was impressed by the tourism potential the state has to offer. The tableau displayed various areas of interest a tourist can expect from Arunachal such as adventure, sports, ecology, culture, religion, history and archaeology.
Jharkhand’s tableau is something I keep going back to as it showcased the famous Baidyanath Temple with Sohrai paintings on its side panels and how well it incorporated the legendary tribal hero Birsa Munda. Leaving a mark not just on its beautiful landscape but also on its tableau was Uttarakhand. The tableau showcased its wildlife and religious sites.
On one hand, the tableau of Tamil Nadu focussed on women empowerment and the state’s rich culture, it was refreshing to see Lord Krishna’s ‘Virat Swaroop’ being the centrepiece of the Haryana tableau. The tableau of Gujarat won the ‘People’s Choice Award’ and rightly so as the theme was clean-green energy.
"As the parade drew to a close, I could barely contain my excitement as the announcer asked us to look up to the sky. This was one of the most exhilarating moments of the parade as we all glued our eyes to witness a spectacular flypast. Kickstarting the aerial manoeuvre was the Mi-17 aircraft forming the iconic ‘Dhwaj’ formation. This was followed up by the ‘Rahat’ formation with five Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH). The third formation was ‘Rudra’ which had four ALHs. We witnessed as many as 50 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, including Sukhoi and Rafael fighter jets.
Even though the flypast was memorable for all those present, but the experience was marred by low visibility due to a thick layer of smog. The flypast is indeed one of the major attractions during the parade which kept people open their smartphone cameras & captured the amazing aerial formation. But alas, most of us were only able to witness the fighter jets and not capture them on our smartphones.
As I travelled back to my hotel room, I couldn't escape the realization that Republic Day is not merely an annual event but a living embodiment of our national ethos. The day calls for introspection, asking each citizen to contribute to the ongoing narrative of India's progress. It is a day to celebrate not just the achievements of the past but to ignite the spark of hope for a brighter future.
I feel that Republic Day isn't confined to a particular date on the calendar, but it is a continuous journey that should unfold in the hearts and minds of every citizen. As I pack my bags for another visit to the capital for Republic Day 2024, I can’t help but think about my first visit to New Delhi, which has given me memories of a lifetime.
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