Tri-service contingent, pilots, musicians: How R-Day parade will be dominated by women

India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day today, 26 January 2024. The twin themes for the annual parade this year are “Vikshit Bharat" and “Bharat Loktantra ki Matruka (India- the Mother of democracy).” The major changes indicate a change from a previous era which placed a strong emphasis on only displaying military might. The parade’s chief guest this year will be French President Emmanuel Macron. Today, he arrived in Jaipur, where he would be accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a roadshow and tour of several historical sites. With an all-women tri-service contingent and female pilots leading the flypast, the “women-centric” Republic Day Parade this year is primed to enthrall the country. All-women tri-service contingent The Republic Day parade will witness an all-women tri-service contingent marching down Kartavya Path for the first time. According to The Print, there will be 144 female agniveers in the contingent: 48 from the Air Force, Army, and Navy. Soldiers who joined the army under the central government’s Agnipath programme are known as Agniveers. Six of the fifteen female pilots participating in the flypast will be flying the combat jets. Flight Lieutenant Ananya Sharma and Flying Officer Asma Sheikh, who both operate Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, will be included in the IAF tableau with the theme “Samridh Bharat Sashakt Bharat,” alongside six of their fellow female fighter pilots, reported The Times of India. Four female officers will lead 144 IAF officers in a march down Kartavya Path. The parade commander will be Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur, with Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil and Squadron Leaders Sumita Yadav and Pratiti Alhuwalia serving as supernumerary officers. [caption id=“attachment_13655562” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] NCC cadets during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade 2024, in Jammu, Wednesday. PTI[/caption] This year, there will be an all-female representation in the three Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Border Security Force (BSF). Meanwhile, 144 men and women will make up the mixed contingent in the Navy. “Best representation of women ever will be seen in this year’s Republic Day parade,” he said. 100 women artists with Indian musical instruments According to the Deccan Herald, for the first time, 100 female artists playing Indian musical instruments will herald the Republic Day parade rather than the traditional military bands. Defence Secretary Gridhar Aramane said on Friday, “The parade will commence with the music of sankh, naadswaram, nagada, and other Indian musical instruments played by them.” 16 women to perform male-dominated Paika The Times of India reported that this year’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi will feature a debut performance of the warrior dance form Paika by a group of 16 girls and women from Shukla village, which is close to Jamshedpur. Meanwhile, groups of women artists are participating in the third edition of the Vande Bharatam dance competition. About 200 female performers will perform in front of the Saluting Dais, adding to the parade’s overall cultural diversity. [caption id=“attachment_13655112” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The Rajasthan tableau on display during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade 2024 at Kartavya Path, in New Delhi. The cultural aspect of the parade came later and is a symbol of India’s unity in diversity. PTI[/caption] Anant Sutra – The Endless Thread installed The Ministry of Culture’s “Anant Sutra - The Endless Thread” textile display is a unique addition to the parade. The installation, which sits behind the spectators, honours the classic Indian saree. According to Financial Express, over 1,900 sarees and drapes from all throughout the nation are on display, creating an aesthetically striking display of India’s needlework and weaving skills. Visitors can explore the installation’s QR codes to learn more about the specifics of each item. Tejas fighters to make its debut in formation As part of an “Arjan” formation, the first C-295 tactical military aircraft, which was inducted in September, will make its fly-past debut. As part of a deal for Rs 21,935 crore, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence and Space would work together to produce up to 40 C-295 units at a final assembly plant in Gujarat’s Vadodara. The IAF’s outdated Avro fleet will be replaced with C-295 cargo aircraft. Four native Tejas fighters will fly in the parade in a “diamond” formation, which is another first. The flypast will comprise a total of 51 aircraft - 29 fighter aircraft, eight transport aircraft and 13 helicopters as well as one historical aircraft. Together with the IAF’s aircraft, the Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and four Army helicopters will fly in two different formations beside the IAF’s aircraft. 14 formations will be displayed by these aircraft, which will operate out of six different bases. Republic Day parade The parade is scheduled to start at 10:30 am and last for about 90 minutes. It will take place at Kartavya Path. The parade will feature a 95-member marching troop and a 33-person band contingent from France. Overlooking the central boulevard will be two Rafale fighter jets and one Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft from the French Air Force. More than 77,000 people including 13,000 special guests like holders of impactful patents and copyrights, to ensure “Jan Bhagidari.” Other special guests will also include headmen from nearly 300 border villages, women space scientists of ISRO, yoga teachers and a section of the beneficiaries of centrally-funded government schemes. They will sit in a special enclosure just opposite the one housing the President, Prime Minister, and the Chief Guest. According to TOI, 42,000 of the seats have been made available to the public through tickets. With inputs from agencies