New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) The 76th Republic Day Parade will be a grand celebration of India’s rich heritage and powerful showcase of the strength, valour and discipline of India’s Armed Forces.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Major General Sumit Mehta, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, said, “This year’s Republic Day Parade will showcase the country’s military prowess and the martial traditions besides our rich cultural heritage”.
He said that this time some equipment will be showcased for the first time including the Battlefield Surveillance System, DRDO’s equipment of Pralay – the short range ballistic missile.
Maj Gen Mehta said that for the first time there will be a Tri-service tableau displaying the spirit of jointness and integration.
With the theme ‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’, the tableau will showcase the conceptual outlook for jointness and integration in the Armed Forces, ensuring national security and operational excellence.
The tableau would depict a joint operations room facilitating networking and communication among the three services.
Giving more information about the Republic Day Parade, Maj Gen Mehta said that the parade will follow the route from Vijay Chowk to the National Stadium along Kartavya Path, with President Droupadi Murmu, taking the salute.
He said that the Indian Army will be represented by a Mounted Column, eight Mechanised Columns, and six Marching Contingents. The parade will be a “powerful showcase of strength, valour and discipline of India’s Armed Forces”.
Before the parade, Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi will lead the nation in paying tribute to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The parade will begin at 10:30 AM with the national salute and will continue for 90 minutes, reflecting the journey of India’s heritage and growth, the Chief of Staff, Delhi Area said.
He said, the parade will be led by Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, while he himself will be the Second-in-Command.
With regards to CAPFs and other auxiliary forces, Maj Gen Mehta said that there will be a marching contingent of the Assam Rifles, CRPF, RPF, Delhi Police, BSF Camel contingent and the NCC.
He said that this year, there will be no CISF contingent but in its place CRPF will be a part of the Republic Day Parade.
Maj Gen Mehta added that 5,000 artists will be a part of cultural performance, and the breath-taking motor cycle display will be given by the Corps of Signals (Army).
As many as 40 aircrafts of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and three Dorniers from Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will participate in the fly past.
