By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Jan 23:
Twenty five Tableaux of different states, Union Ministries and Armed Forces, 16 marching contingents from the armed forces, Central paramilitary forces, Delhi police, NCC, NSS along with 17 military bands, Pipes and Drum bands will make the 73 rd Republic day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi, an interesting affair.
The Indian Air Force’s 75 aircraft in 15 formations will participate in aerial display. Of these, the Amrit formation will comprise a maximum of 17 aircraft. The fleet includes a fly past by four advance light helicopter (ALH). The Indian Meteorological dept will organise the release of balloons on the occasion.
Before the parade President Ramnath Kovind will hoist the National Flag at Red Fort and the National Anthem will be played. Before commencement of the parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in paying a homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at National War Memorial. The parade will start at 10.30 am with the National salute. The duration of parade will be 90 minutes. Two Param Vir Chakra and one Ashok Chakra awardees will participate in the R day parade.
The mounted Columns would include 61 Cavalary comprising 39 horses. There will a motor cycle display by ITBP (male team) and BSF (female team).
There will be a display of new generation and vintage weapon and equipments by mechanised columns which 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 Tiget Cat missile and two Akash missile systems.
Ther marching contingents and military bands include: Rajpur Regiment Centre Contingent-”Sarvatra Vijay” (quick march), Assam Regiment Centre Contingent- “Assamese Warrior”(quick march), Sikh Light Infantry Centre Contingent—”Faulad Ka Jigar”(quick march), Navy Brass Band “Jai Bharati” and Navy Tableau-”Combat Ready, credible and cohesive: Indian Navy”, Air Force Band-”Sound Barrier” and IAF Tableau “Transforming the future: IAF”.
The different bands will play their designated tunes. They would 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” (Quick march), and National Service Scheme Marching Contingent- Massed Pipes and Drums Band-”Herana Herana” (Quick March).
Besides there will be cultural programs of groups of dancers selected through “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.
The Naval Contingent comprises 96 men, three Platoon Commanders and one
Contingent commander. The contingent comprises the Navy Tableau-”Combat Ready, credible and cohesive: Indian Navy”.
Naval Tableau
The nation is celebrating 75 years of Independence as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which finds a special mention in the tableau as Navy’s contribution to our freedom struggle.
Lt Preeti, an Education Officer, posted at INS India, described the Naval Tableau as “”the Naval tableau seeks to highlight Indian Navy’s sustained focus on ‘AatmaNirbharBharat” initiatives maintaining combat readiness in service of the nation and Navy’s contribution to the freedom struggle. It also showcases the multidimensional capabilities of Indian Navy”.
Lt Mayank Bhagour, an Aviation Officer, posted at INS Rajali, gave the details of the Naval Tableau as “The forward part of the tableau depicts the Naval uprising of 1946, an event which contributed in India’s struggle for Independence. The rear section of the tableau illustrates the “Make in India” initiatives of Navy particularly for the period 1983 to 2021. The model of indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant with Light Combat Aircraft in air takes the centre stage flanked by models of indigenous missile Corvette “Kora”, the Destroyer “Visakhapatnam”, Frigate “Shivalik” on left and P-75 submarine “Kalvari”, frigate “Godavari” and destroyer “Delhi” on the right side. Frames on the lower section of the trailer depict construction of Indian Naval platforms in India.”
Naval Band
The world-renowned brass band of the Indian Navy led by Vincent Johnson, Master
Chief Petty Officer Musician I Honorary Lt (Sub Lieutenant) will play notable tunes at R Day parade. This is for the 18 th time, Johnson, will he marching down Rajpath during the R Day parade. He will lead a 72-men naval band as its drum major in front of the President of India.
From Sydney to Mauritius and St Petersburg to Edinburgh, Vincent Johnson has led the Indian Navy band at various military events across the world, but if there’s a celebration that’s closest to his heart, it’s the R Day parade. The tunes which will be played in the R Day Parade: include Indian Fleet, Silver Jubilee, INS Vikrant, Blue Field, INS India, Jal Nidhi, Swarn Jayanti, Jai Bharati and “ Sare Jahan Se Achha”.
Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma an Observer Officer and Lt Cdr Kushal Agarwal an Air Electrical Officer, posted at INS Rajali, described the preparation and the sentiments of the Naval contingent saying that “The hard work and tough schedule in the last two months has paid off and out contingent is full of passion and pride and each individual has a sense of honour to be marching in front of our Supreme Commander, the President of India.
