On January 26, 2023, India will be celebrating its 74th Republic Day. The Chief of Staff (Delhi Area), Major General Bhavnish Kumar, stated that the main theme of the Republic Day Parade is “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
The parade will start from Vijay Chowk at 10:30 am, and contingents will march right up to the Red Fort.
The chief guest for this year’s parade is Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt. A military contingent from Egypt will be participating in the parade.
The main feature of the parade is that only indigenously developed and designed weapon platforms of the Indian Armed Forces will be displayed. Twenty-five pounders of vintage artillery will be replaced by newer ones.
Additionally, many women officers will be seen leading several contingents during the parade, such as Army Air Defence and Corps of Signals.
The IL-38, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft that served the Indian Navy for 42 years, will participate in a flypast along with 44 aircraft that will include nine Rafael and indigenously made “Prachanda” helicopters.
A total of 23 tableaux- 17 from States and Union Territories and six from various ministries and departments will depict India’s vibrant cultural heritage. Economic/ Social progress will be a part of the majestic parade.
Two tableaux from Home Ministry, one from Narcotics Control Bureau and one from the Central Armed Police Forces will be seen. The Ministry of Agriculture, Tribal Affairs and Culture will play an important role too.
Women officers of the Indian Army will get a chance to showcase their strength in this year’s parade.
The granddaughter of Param Veer Chakra Awardee Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, Lt. Dimple Bhati from the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, will join the Army Daredevils motorcycle team.
Lt. Chetana Sharma will lead the “made-in-India” surface-to-air missile system at the parade. Lt Commander Disha Amrit will lead the Navy Contingent.
The first-ever military tattoo and tribal dance festival have been organised at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
The two-day festival features a musical performance by the armed forces that will throw light on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s contribution to India’s Freedom Struggle and ends on January 24.
There are rumours that Agniveer Soldiers from the recently launched Agnipath Scheme recruitment scheme could be a part of the contingent.
On January 29, 2023, during the Beating Retreat Ceremony, a total of 3500 drones will light up the evening sky over Raisina Hill, and for the first time, a three-dimensional projection will be organised during the ceremony on the facades of North Block and South Block will be seen.
