‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’ to be the main themes: Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane
Team News Riveting
New Delhi, January 19
With the themes of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’, the 75th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path on January 26, 2024 will be women-centric.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on January 19, 2024, Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane said women marching contingents will form the major chunk of the parade, with most of the tableaux of States/Union Territories (UTs) and Central Ministries/Organisations showcasing the country’s rich cultural diversity, unity and progress. He reiterated that the themes have been selected in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s views that ‘India is truly a mother of democracy’.
For the first time, the parade will be heralded by 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade would commence with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc. to be played by women artists.
The parade will also witness an all-women Tri-Service contingent marching down Kartavya Path for the first time. The CAPF contingents will also consist of women personnel. “Best representation of women will be seen in this year’s Republic Day parade,” the Defence Secretary said.
The parade will start at 1030 hrs and run for a duration of approx. 90 minutes. The seating capacity at Kartavya Path is 77,000, of which 42,000 is reserved for the general public.
Chief Guest
Shri Giridhar Aramane said French President Mr Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest at this year’s Republic Day Parade. A 95-member marching contingent and 33-member band contingent from France will also take part in the parade. Along with the aircraft of Indian Air Force, one Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft and two Rafale aircraft of the French Air Force will participate in the Fly-past.
Special Guests
Around 13,000 Special Guests have also been invited to witness the parade this year. The Defence Secretary stated that the objective is to provide an opportunity to the people from all walks of life to take part in the national festival, in line with the Government’s vision of Jan Bhagidari. He quoted the Prime Minister by saying that these guests are the pride of the country.
These Special Guests include best performers of in various fields and those who made best use of various schemes of the Government such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural & Urban), PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Street Vendor’s Aatmanirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, PM Vishwakarma Yojana, PM Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna, PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, Stand-Up India scheme, Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme and Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Sarpanches of Vibrant Villages, women workers of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Electronic Manufacturing sectors & Central Vista Project, women Space Scientists of ISRO, Yoga Teachers (Ayushman Bharat), winners of international sports events and Paralympic medalists will also attend the parade, in addition to Best Self-Help Groups, Farmers Producer Organisations, references of PM Mann ki Baat programme, and ‘Super-100’ of Project Veer Gatha 3.0 & winners of National School Band Competition. These special guests will be prominently seated at Kartavya Path.
Shri Giridhar Aramane stated that given their tough livelihood, special emphasis was laid to include Vibrant Villages in the list of Special Guests for them to be part of the Republic Day celebrations of the country.
Tableaux
A total of 25 tableaux – 16 States/UTs and nine Ministries/Departments – will roll down the Kartavya Path during the parade. The States/UTs are: Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. The Ministries/Organisations are: Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Ministry of Culture, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Centre For Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Election Commission of India, and Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
Like each year, the tableaux have been selected by an expert committee comprising eminent persons in the fields of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography etc. The Defence Secretary informed that to address the concerns of some States/UTs over the non-inclusion of their tableau in the parade, Ministry of Defence has devised a unique three-year roll-over plan, which ensures equitable participation on a rotational basis of all states and UTs over a period of three years.
Anant Sutra
The Ministry of Culture will be showcasing ‘Anant Sutra – The Endless Thread’ textile installation at Kartavya Path. It will be installed behind the spectators seated in the enclosures. Anant Sutra is a visually-stunning tribute to the saree, India’s timeless gift to the world of fashion. This unique installation will showcase nearly 1,900 sarees and drapes from every corner of the country, mounted at a height with wooden frames along the Kartavya Path. It will have QR codes which can be scanned to know the details about weaving and embroidery arts used in it.
Commemorative Coin & Stamp
As the Nation is celebrating 75th year of its Republic this year, Ministry of Defence will release a Commemorative Coin and Commemorative Stamp during the celebrations.
National School Band Competition
The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with Ministry of Education, conducted a National School Band Competition at All-India level for Republic Day Celebrations 2024 in order to evoke feelings of patriotism, unity and a deep sense of pride among the school children towards their country. A total of 486 school bands from 30 different States/UTs took part in the competition, wherein 12,857 students participated. The levels of National School Band Competition are as under:-
- Level 1 : State Level – conducted by States/UTs.
- Level 2: Zonal Level – States/UTs were divided into 04 zones.
- Level 3: National Level (Final) – Performance at National Stadium, New Delhi.
First two levels of competition have already been conducted and the Final level event would be conducted at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi on January 21 & 22, 2024. A total 16 Bands selected from 15 States/UTs would perform during the event. These finalist teams will be given prizes and some of the winners will witness the parade.
Vande Bharatam 3.0
The third edition of Vande Bharatam dance competition was organised as part of Republic Day Celebrations 2024. Groups of women artists will carry out a performance at the Kartavya Path. Around 200 women artists will perform in front of the Saluting Dais.
Veer Gatha 3.0
The third edition of Project Veer Gatha was organised as a part of Republic Day Celebrations-2024 to inspire and spread awareness among children about the gallant deeds and sacrifices of the Armed Forces. The event was organised by Ministry of Defence in collaboration with Ministry of Education between July 13 to September 30, 2023. A record 1.36 crore students from 2.42 lakh schools pan-India participated in Veer Gatha 3.0. A total of 100 school students called ‘Super-100’ have been declared winners who will be felicitated by the Raksha Mantri in New Delhi on January 25, 2024. They will also attend the Republic Day Parade.
Bharat Parv
Reflecting the ‘Jan Bhagidari’ theme, ‘Bharat Parv’ will be organised at the Red Fort, Delhi from January 23-31, 2024 by the Ministry of Tourism. It will showcase Republic Day Tableaux, performances by the Military Bands, cultural performances, Crafts Bazaar and Food Courts dishing out pan India cuisines.
Parakram Diwas
The Ministry of Culture will organise Parakram Diwas at Red Fort on January 23, 2024 on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. During the event, various activities like 3-D projection mapping/light & sound show, projection mapping with plays/dance performance, etc. to be organised.
E-invitation
This year too, the invitations to various dignitaries were issued in electronic mode through the dedicated portal www.e-invitation.mod.gov.in. This ensured the whole process to be more secure & paperless and enabled people from all parts of the country to attend this national event.
E-ticket
In order to ensure maximum Jan Bhagidari, the number of seats for public has been enhanced. Accordingly, the number of tickets for public has been increased which could be booked from www.aamantran.mod.gov.in. The details of price and number of tickets for Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat Ceremony, 2024 are as under:-
For Republic Day Parade on 26th January, 2024
Rs 20/- = 4,320 tickets
Rs 100/- = 37,680 tickets
For Beating Retreat Ceremony on 29th January, 2024
Rs 100/- = 1,200 tickets
Tickets of the Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat Ceremony may also be booked through MSeva Mobile App available on Google Play Store.
Park & Ride and Metro Facility
Free of cost Park & Ride and Metro Facility would be provided to the public for witnessing the Republic Day Parade. Metro will be operational on January 26, 2024 beginning 0400 hrs. Guests and ticket holders may avail metro facility free of cost by displaying their invitation/ticket. Free of cost Park & Ride bus facility may be availed by the guests and ticket holders from JLN Stadium and Palika Bazaar Parking area.
PM’s At-Home Function
As per practice, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will meet NCC Cadets, NSS Volunteers, Youth Exchange programme cadets, Tableaux Artists, Tribal Guests, etc. of Republic Day Celebrations at his residence in New Delhi on January 24, 2024.
PM’s NCC Rally
The PM’s NCC rally is scheduled to be held at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt. on January 27, 2024 where Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will review the multifarious activities of the NCC.
Beating Retreat
Beating Retreat ceremony, which will be held at Vijay Chowk on January 29, 2024, will witness all Indian tunes to mark the culmination of 75th Republic Day celebrations. The tunes will be played by bands of Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, CAPFs before a distinguished audience comprising of President Smt Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, other Union Ministers, senior officials and the general public. The Defence Secretary stated that an online competition will be held wherein people can sing/play the Indian tunes, highlighting the sacrifices & patriotism of soldiers, and upload them on MyGov. Top entries will be given rewards.
