New Delhi: The Republic Day parade, like every year, will showcase India’s rich cultural diversity, military prowess, and technological advancements. The Indian Navy, on Wednesday, released details of its marching contingent and tableaux that will take part in the main parade in New Delhi’s Kartavya Path.
It its release, the Navy said: “In keeping with Indian Navy’s vision of being a combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-proof force, all participating elements in RDP (Republic Day parade) and BTR (Beating Retreat) would be showcasing unwavering commitment to national security, ‘atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) and nari shakti (women power).”
Marching contingent
The naval marching contingent participating this time would consist of 144 young men and women, marching shoulder to shoulder on the Kartavya Path, which was earlier named Rajpath. This is to showcase the Indian Navy as a progressive, strong, and gender-neutral force. The contingent will be led by Lieutenant Prajwal as contingent commander and Lieutenant Mudita Goyal, Lieutenant Sharvani Supreiya and Lieutenant Devika H as platoon commanders.
Tableau
This year, the Navy’s tableau will showcase its commitment to safeguard India’s maritime interests and will feature two important and contemporary themes.
The first theme is of “nari shakti” with the tagline: “Women in Navy – All Ranks, All Roles”. The main section of the tableau will reflect the second contemporary theme: “Sea Power Across Oceans Through Indigenization.”
The tableau will depict the very first fully indigenous carrier battle group comprising the indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, her highly capable escort ships – INS Delhi, INS Kolkata, and INS Shivalik; a light combat aircraft (LCA); an advanced light helicopter (ALH); a Kalvari-class submarine, and the GSAT-7 Rukmani satellite.
The Navy said, “Every element on the tableau has been designed and built in India,” which showcases India’s growing prowess in shipbuilding, aerospace, missile/rocket technologies.
The tableau commanders will be Lieutenant Commander Bhope Juee Milind and Lieutenant Commander Nitheesh KS.
Band
The Indian Navy band will be led by Master Chief Petty Officer M Antony Raj, Musician Second class. It will comprise 80 musicians. At the Beating Retreat on January 29, this band would play martial tunes and popular numbers accompanied by a range of formations that would highlight the nation’s recent achievements.