India celebrates 75th Republic Day in Grand Manner, Women Power to the Fore

NEW DELHI. It was a grand spectacle that unfolded before the nation on Kartavya Path, the long boulevard which runs from the doorstep of Rashtrapati Bhawan to the majestic India Gate hexagon.

The country celebrated its 75th Republic Day staging a marchpast demonstrating its growth across several sectors with a glimpse of its military strength.

As President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, took salute from marching and mechanised contingents drawn from the three Services, para-military and police personnel, a remarkable turnaround was ‘Nari Shakti’ or women power coming to the fore.

French President Emanuel Macron was the Chief Guest for the glittering January 26 Military parade and celebrations. Both host President Murmu and President Macron arriving at the saluting dais in a stately horse-drawn buggy.

Interestingly, the practice of the buggy was brought back after a four decade hiatus on this historic occasion.

The 100-odd minute parade began with four Indian Air Force (IAF) MI-17 helicopters raining flower showers to welcome the people who thronged on either side of the parade route on Kartavya Path. Powered by downwash from the helicopters the petals shimmered as they gently caressed ev3eryone, inspiring a feeling of being blessed from above. In keeping with the spirit of the day, the weather too improved from the cold and the thick blanket of fog dissipated just enough not to rob the spectators of the fun to watch the fly past by fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.

The theme of the diamond jubilee event was to showcase Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka (India, a Mother of Democracy) and Nari Shakti (Women Power). There was an unmistakable stamp of how women empowerment programmes across different fields was taking shape in India, breaking the glass ceiling by donning combat uniforms in large numbers.