The Republic Day parade 2023 will include special official invitees, from rickshaw pullers to vegetable vendors, truly representing the spirit of a Republic nation.
Narendra Modi-led Government took significant steps in past years to include the participation of the common man in Government programmes. In this regard, this year’s republic day parade will mostly witness by the common man.
This year, India is celebrating its 74th Republic Day, on January 26. The theme of this year’s Republic Day is “participation of the common people”. Adhering to the theme parade honouring the historic event will mostly witness the attendance of common people from all walks of society.
Ministry of Defence released a circular on January 18, the circular reads invitations for this year’s Republic Day have been sent to common people from all walks of society such as ‘Shramyogis’ or the workers involved in the construction of Central Vista, Kartvya Path, New Parliament Building, milk, vegetable vendors, and street vendors etc.
The statement read, “These Special Invitees will be prominently seated at Kartvya Path.”
The Government has also announced that Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be the chief guest at this Republic Day parade this year. The parade will also witness the participation of a marching band comprising 120 members from Egypt.
This is the first ever republic day parade taking place, ever since the venue, formerly called Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path. Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path during the inauguration of the revamped Central Vista in 2022.
In 2022, invitations were extended to sanitation workers, construction workers, frontline workers, and auto-rickshaw drivers to witness the Republic Day parade.
The Modi Government has also made great efforts in past years to bring all the common people to the limelight of the nation. The concept of people’s Padma has also gained importance last year as the list of Padma awardees featured low-key achievers.
On December 13, 2021, during the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi poured flower petals on construction workers to honour them for their role in giving life to this project. Prime Minister Modi also had lunch with the construction worker.
While addressing the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi said, “Today I want to thank all my brothers and sisters who shed their sweat in the construction of this grand complex. Despite the difficult period of the pandemic, they did not let work stop here. I have now got the opportunity to meet them and take their blessings.”
On July 11, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with workers involved in the construction work of the new Parliament.
After meeting with construction workers of Central Vista, Prime Minister took to a microblogging site and added, “I had a wonderful interaction with the Shramjeevis who have been involved in the making of the Parliament. We are proud of their efforts and will always remember their contribution to our nation.”
During the Kumbh visit in 2019, PM Modi felicitated sanitation workers by washing their feet in Prayagraj to mark respect according to Indian tradition. PM Modi also distributed the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar awards to ‘safaai karmacharis’ (sanitation employees), ‘swachhaagrahis’, police personnel and ‘naaviks’ (boatmen)
