INDIA. Mumbai: With the participation of 25 Tableaux of states, Union Ministries and Armed Forces, 16 marching contingents from the armed and paramilitary forces, and 17 military bands, India will be displaying its military might at the 73rd Republic day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi, on January 26, Wednesday.
President Ramnath Kovind will unfurl the national flag and the national anthem will be played. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The parade will start at 10.30 am with the national salute. The duration of the parade will be 90 minutes. Two Param Vir Chakra and one Ashok Chakra awardees will participate in the R day parade.
The Indian Air Force’s 75 aircraft in 15 formations will participate in aerial display, of which the Amrit formation will have a maximum of 17 aircraft. There will be a flypast by four advanced light helicopters (ALH). The Indian Meteorological department will organize the release of balloons on the occasion.
The new generation and vintage weapon and equipment by mechanized columns would include one tank PT-76 and Centurion (On Tank Transporters) and two MBT Arjun MK-I, one APC TOPAS and BMP-I (On Tank Transporter) and two BMP-II, one 75/24 Towed gun (on vehicle) and two Dhanush Gun system, one PMS bridge and two Sarvatra bridge system, one HT-16 (on vehicle) and two Tarang Shakti Electronic Warfare system, one Tiger Cat missile and two Akash missile systems.
Marching contingents
The marching contingents and military bands would include: Rajput Regiment Centre Contingent- “Sarvatra Vijay,” Assam Regiment Centre Contingent- “Assamese Warrior,” Sikh Light Infantry Centre Contingent– “Faulad Ka Jigar,” Navy Brass Band “Jai Bharati” and Navy Tableau- “Combat Ready, credible and cohesive: Indian Navy,” Indian Air Force (IAF) Band- “Sound Barrier” and IAF Tableau “Transforming the future: IAF.”
The mounted Columns will have 61 Cavalary comprising 39 horses. There will be a motorcycle display by ITBP (male team) and BSF (female team).
Naval Contingent
The Naval Contingent comprises 96 men, three Platoon commanders, and one Contingent commander.
Lieutenant Preeti, said that the Naval tableau seeks to highlight the sustained focus on self-reliant India and showcases the multidimensional capabilities of the Indian Navy. Lt Cdr Aanchal and Lt Cdr Kushal Agarwal said that “the hard work and tough schedule in the last two months paid off in preparing the Naval contingent.”
Bands
As part of the parade, the bands will play different tunes, which include: CRPF Band-“Desh Ke Hum Hain Rakshak,” Delhi Police Band- “Delhi Police Anthem,” CISF band- “Amar Senani,” Sashastra Seema Bal- “Sashastra Seema Bal Geet,” BSF Camel Band- “BSF Song,” NCC (Mixed Military Band)- “Kadam Kadam Badhae Ja,” and National Service Scheme Marching Contingent- Massed Pipes and Drums Band- “Herana Herana”.
Naval Band
MCPO Musician Vincent Johnson, will lead a 72-men world-renowned brass band of the Indian Navy, as its drum major. This is for the 18th time he will be marching down Rajpath during the R Day parade. From Sydney to Mauritius and St Petersburg to Edinburgh, Johnson has led the Indian Navy band at various military events across the world. The Naval band will play different tunes including INS Vikrant, Blue Field, INS India, Jal Nidhi, Swarn Jayanti, Jai Bharati, and Sare Jahan Se Achha.
In addition, there will be cultural programs of groups of dancers selected through the “Vande Bharat” competition. Lt Gen Vijaykumar Mishra, GOC, Delhi area will be parade commander, and Maj Gen Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi area will be the Second-in-Command.
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