Republic day 2024
Republic Day is a national holiday in India that celebrates the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950. It is also a day to honour the achievements and diversity of the country. Every year, a grand parade is held in New Delhi, the capital city, where the President of India takes the salute of the armed forces and various cultural groups. The parade also showcases the latest developments in defense and technology, as well as the rich heritage and culture of the states and union territories of India.
The Republic Day parade 2024 will be a special occasion, as it will mark the 75th anniversary of India becoming a republic. The theme for the parade will be ‘Bharat - The Mother of Democracy’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’. The parade will feature a number of made-in-India weapon systems and platforms, highlighting the nation’s growing prowess in defense technology. Some of the attractions will be:
The LCH Prachand, a multi-role combat helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL. It has stealth characteristics, armor protection, and night attack capability. It can carry guns, rockets, and missiles for ground and aerial combat.
The Pinaka, a multi-barrel rocket launcher system developed by DRDO. It can fire rockets up to a range of 45 km, and can be mounted on vehicles or helicopters. It can destroy enemy targets with precision and accuracy.
The Nag, an anti-tank guided missile system also developed by DRDO. It can engage and destroy heavily armored enemy tanks in day and night conditions. It has a fire-and-forget mode and a top-attack capability. It is carried by the NAMICA, a BMP II based vehicle with amphibious capability.
The parade will also feature other indigenous weapon systems and platforms, such as the T-90 tank, the BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle, the Sarvatra bridge system, the Swathi weapon locating radar, and the medium range surface to air missile launcher.
The parade will also showcase the cultural diversity and unity of India, with tableaux from various states and union territories depicting their history, culture, and achievements. Some of the tableaux will highlight the role of women in various fields, such as education, handicrafts, sports, and defense. For example, the tableau of Manipur will showcase the women who weave lotus silk from lotus stems, a unique and eco-friendly craft. The tableau of Madhya Pradesh will feature Avani Chaturvedi, the first woman fighter pilot from the state, along with other women who have excelled in different sectors.
The parade will also have a special contingent of women from the three services, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, marching together for the first time. This will be a symbol of the empowerment and inclusion of women in the defense forces. The parade will also have other marching contingents, such as the NCC, the NSS, the police, and the paramilitary forces.
The parade will also have a flypast by the Indian Air Force, displaying various aircraft and helicopters, such as the Dakota, the Dornier, the Rudra, the Tejas, the Rafale, and the Sukhoi. Some of these aircraft will fly using a blend of aviation turbine fuel and biofuel, as a gesture of environmental awareness and sustainability.
The parade will be attended by the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, the Chief Guest, who will be the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and other dignitaries and guests. The parade will be broadcast live on various channels and platforms, and people can also watch it online or on their mobile devices.
The Republic Day parade 2024 will be a grand spectacle of India’s strength, diversity, and progress. It will be a proud moment for every Indian, and a tribute to the spirit of democracy and republicanism that the Constitution of India embodies.