The 69th Republic Day parade of India

 ‘Dare Devils’, the motorcycle display team of the army’s Corps of Signals, today left the audience at the Republic Day parade here spellbound by performing breathtaking and intricate manoeuvres. The team of ‘Dare Devils’ was a major attraction of the parade as it displayed various stunts while rumbling down the asphalt and it was cheered by President Pranab Mukherjee, French President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apart from host of dignitaries and the spectators.

‘Dare Devils’ performed different stunts like ‘Salute to President’, ‘Signal Rocket’, ‘Signal Fighter’, ‘Abhimanyu’, ‘Shradhanjali’, ‘Commando’, ‘Lotus formation’ and ‘Human Pyramid’ and others on moving motorcycles. The stunts drew loud cheers from the crowd all along the Rajpath. The motorcycle display team has created many records earlier. Last year, BSF’s ‘Janbaz’ team had performed a numbers of stunts at the Rajpath in the presence of US President Barack Obama, who was the Chief Guest.

French Army soldiers today created history by marching down the Rajpath during the Republic Day parade, becoming the first foreign military contingent to take part in the celebrations. Led by Lt Col Paul Bury of the French Army’s 35th Infantry Regiment, one of the oldest regiments of France, the 76-member contingent marched before an audience that included President Pranab Mukherjee, visiting French President and Chief Guest Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Forty-eight members of ‘The Music of the Infantry’, a ceremonial band based in Lyon in France, played two military tunes at the parade as the spectators cheered them. Talking about the Republic Day, Bury, who has twice served in Afghanistan, has said it was a matter of pride and honour for his men to participate in the celebrations and the march past on the Rajpath.

Maj Gen Rajesh Sahai, Chief of Staff Delhi Area of Indian Army, said the parade was evolving, and added that a foreign contingent should be a regular affair. The French Army’s 35th Infantry Regiment traces its origin back to 1604 when it was raised in Lorraine in France. The regiment has as many as 12 battle honours to its credit. It has varied combat experiences, having served in Algeria, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan among other places. Meanwhile, the Indian Army also showcased its T-90 ‘Bhishma’ tank, capable of firing missiles, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP II (Sarath), Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System, Akash Weapon System, Smerch Launcher Vehicles and Integrated Communication Electronic Warfare System. 

The marching contingents of the army included horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, the Parachute Regiment, the Corps of Signals, the Rajput Regiment, the Garhwal Rifles, the Assam Regiment, 11 Gorkha Rifles and Remount Veterinary Corps Dog Squad. The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular fly-past by the IAF. It commenced with the ‘Chakra’ formation, comprising three Mi-35 helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation, followed by the ‘Hercules’ formation comprising three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in ‘Vic’ formation. Trailing them was the ‘Globe formation’ comprising one C-17 Globemaster flanked by two Su-30s fighter planes. Next in line was the fighters, where five Jaguar combat aircraft flew in arrowhead formation, another five MiG-29 air superiority fighter planes called the ‘Tridents’ flew in Fulcrum style. Then the breath-taking ‘Trishul’ formation comprising three Su-30 MKI of No. 24 Squadron flew over the Rajpath, and once in front of the saluting dais, the Su-30 MKI aircraft split upwards, making a Trishul in the sky. The fly-past concluded with another Su-30 MKI carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’ manoeuvre over the saluting dais.

Imperial British Rule imposed over India ceased to exist post August 15, 1947 when our nation attained freedom and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was made the interim Prime Minister. But the nation was incomplete. It was still following the procedures, penal codes, regulations and laws which were inherited from Her Majesty’s regime. Although the nation had turned sovereign (recognized as independent entity), it took another 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to turn India into a complete democratic, constitutional republic.

On January 26, 1950, the Constitution prepared by the Drafting Committee headed by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar was enacted and put into force. The day is marked as the birth of modern India. The forefathers of the nation prepared the constitution after facing the tedious task of taking into consideration the concerns of hundreds of ethnic communities, multiple religious segments and regional tribes.

India is today celebrating 67th Republic Day. On January 26, 1950, Indian Constitution came into force. The Republic Day 2016 parade will begin around 9:30 AM following the flag hoisting. French President Francois Hollande will attend the Republic Day parade that will take place shortly at Rajpath. The live streaming of India’s 69th Republic Day Parade in Rajpath can be seen here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of India’s 67th Republic Day and hailed the contribution of those who framed the Constitution.

French President Francois Hollande will be accompanied with President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several other dignitaries. In a first since 1950, French soldiers will march down the Rajpath on Republic Day along with Indian troops. It would be the first time when foreign army participate in Republic Day parade.

During Republic Day parade every year, critical defence systems, artillery, and equipment ranging from tanks to missiles is brought out for public display. This year, like in the past, the three wings of the armed forces will field their marching contingents and systems in the parade, followed by a cultural pageant and the flypast.

After 26 year, Indian Dog Amry, which has become major attraction, will march down the Rajpath on Republic Day. Indian Army has selected 36 dogs out of total 1,200 Labradors and German Shepherds for Republic Day parade. For the first time, all-women stunt contingent will also be performing during the event.

Source: India.com