India is celebrating the 73rd Republic Day today. This year's parade at Rajpath marked the greatest flypast with 75 aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The military might and cultural diversity of the country were showcased at Rajpath. The parade this year started half an hour later than the usual time because of the weather and better visibility. The event was kicked off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by paying tribute to the martyred soldiers at the National War Memorial. For the first time, a ceremonial book at the national war memorial was signed by PM Modi digitally. President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the national flag on this occasion. He was given 21-gunshot salute by the armed forces. Here are some of the highlights of the Republic-Day Paradae at Rajpath;
The first to start off the parade was 61 Cavalry. The cavalry included the elite horse of the President's Bodyguard. Virat is an elite horse who has served since 2003, now completing 21 years of the service the horse gets retirement. The first horse to be awarded Chief of the Army Staff Commendation. The retirement was announced after the grand parade.
Amid strict covid protocols, Only 5000 audience members were allowed to witness the grand celebrations. Only fully vaccinated adults and children with a single vaccinated dose were allowed to attend the iconic parade. For the second time, no foreign guests were invited this year due to the pandemic.
The parade included the tableaux of 12 states/UT's and 9 Ministries/Departments under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. About 480 dancers from different cultures performed at the National Parade, they were selected through a nationwide dance competition.
The new combat uniform of the Indian Army carrying the weapon Tavor Assault rifles was presented by the Parachute Regiment. The Indian Army presented the Centurion tank, PT-76 tank of 1971 which played a major role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, This year marked 50 years of the war. Haryana's Tableaux was presented with the theme 'number one in sports' to mark the great achievement of the sports players of Haryana who won four out of the total seven medals of the country in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The parade this year saw Women officers leading some regiments. Women's Border Security Force team led by Seema Bhawani displayed motorcycle performed stunts with different formations on bikes with promoting 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'.Shivani Singh, India's first woman fighter pilot of the Rafale combat aircraft was at the Indian Air Force tableaux.
The grand 73rd Republic Day 2022 parade at Rajpath, at last, presented a spectacular 75 aircraft flypast with 5 Rafale jets in an arrow shape. Cockpit view of 'Baaz' formation comprising one Rafale, two Jaguar, two MiG-29 UPG, two Su-30 MI aircraft in seven aircraft 'Arrowhead' formation flying at 300m AOL were also followed.
The parade ended with the national anthem and the release of Tricolor balloons. For the 'Beating Retreat' to be held on January 29 at Vijay Chowk, a drone show with 1,000 indigenously manufactured drones has been planned.
