January 26, 2021: India’s military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress were on display during the 72nd Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Rajpath in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Representing India’s strides in indigenous defence technologies, Defence Research and Development Organisation contingent this year consists of two tableaux depicting among others Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) - Navy - Take off from INS Vikramaditya. Indian Army displayed Main Battle Tank T-90 Bhishma, Infantry Combat Vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate (BMP-II) – Sarath, Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the Brahmos Missile system, Pinaka Multi Launcher Rocket System and Samvijay Electronic Warfare System among others. Indian Navy in addition to tableaux murals depicting Pakistan Army surrendering, a Petya class ship and Operation X undertaken by divers of Indian Navy and Mukti Bahini and some other ships which took part in the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The Indian Air Force (IAF) showcased among others Mi-17 V5, Chinook and Apache helicopters.

Thirty-two tableaux –17 from States and Union Territories, nine from various Ministries/Departments and Paramilitary Forces and six from Ministry of Defence, depicting the nation’s rich cultural heritage, economic progress and defence prowess rolled down the Rajpath. School children performed folk arts & crafts displaying skills and dexterity handed down from generations; Bajasal, one of the most beautiful folk dances of Kalahandi, Odisha; Fit India Movement, Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The 122-member proud contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising of soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy and Air Warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force led the contingent march on the Rajpath. The Bangladesh contingent carried the legacy of legendary Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh, who fought against oppression and mass atrocities and liberated Bangladesh in 1971. The grand event culminated with Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900 kilometre per hour carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’.

The Republic Day Parade ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial. He led the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.

As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade commenced with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute. The parade was commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area was the Parade Second-in-Command.

The winners of the Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles and Ashok Chakra winner Lieutenant Colonel D Sreeram Kumar followed the Deputy Parade Commander on Jeeps.

The first domestic contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers was 61 Cavalry. The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 01, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces’ cavalry units.

The Indian Army was represented by a Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, seven mechanised columns, six marching contingents and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters of the Army Aviation.

Indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma, Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) Ballway Machine Pikate (BMP II)-, Brahmos Weapon System, Pinaka Bridge Laying tanks T-72, Samvijay Electronic Warfare System and Schilka Weapon system were the main attraction in the mechanised columns.

The other marching contingents of the Army included the Jat Regiment, the Garhwal Regiment, the Mahar Regiment, the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment, the Bengal Sappers and the Territorial Army. The Combined Band of the Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre, Para Regimental Centre & JAT Regimental Centre; Sikh Regimental Centre, Assam Regimental Centre, Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regimental Centre; Sikh Light Infantry Regimental Centre, Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre and Artillery Centre (Nasik Road) also marched past the saluting dais.

The Naval contingent comprised of 96 sailors and 04 officers led by Lieutenant Commander Lalit Kumar as Contingent Commander. It was followed by the Naval Tableau titled ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’.

The Air Force contingent, comprising of 96 airmen and four officers, was led by Flight Lieutenant Tanik Sharma. It will be followed by the Air Force Tableau titled ‘Indian Air Force: Touch the Sky with Glory’. The Air Force tableau showcases scaled down models of Light Combat Aircraft, Light Combat Helicopter, Su-30 MK-I aircraft and Rohini radar against a sky-blue background. The smartly attired officers in their flying overalls will stand alongside the models.

One of the main highlights was the marching contingent of DRDO that will showcase Anti-Tank Guided Missile systems, which play a crucial role in defeating armoured tanks.

The Indian Coast Guard marching contingent was led by Deputy Commandant Ashish Nagar. The motto of the ICG is ‘Vayam Rakshamah’ meaning ‘We Protect’. The Indian Coast Guard keeps our maritime frontiers safe and secure. The force comprises 155 surface units and 62 air assets.

The contingents of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Delhi Police, Border Security Force (BSF) Camel Contingent and National Security Guard (NSG) popularly known as the Black Cat Commandoes also marched past the saluting dais.

Seventeen tableaux from various states/union territories, namely, Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Tripura, West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, National Capital Territory of Delhi and Ladakh were showcased during the parade, depicting the geographical and rich cultural diversity of the country. Nine tableaux from different ministries/departments and Paramilitary Forces were also on display.

The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the Fly Past, consisted of the Rudra Formation comprising a Dakota aircraft flanked by two Mi-17 IV helicopters flying in ‘Vic’ formation, followed by the Sudarshan formation consisting of one Chinook and two Mi-17 IV Helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation. Rakshak attack helicopter formation consisting of one Mi-35 helicopter and four Apache helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation came next. Bhim formation comprising of three C-130J aircraft in ‘Vic’ formation then ruled the sky. Behind Bhim formation was Netra, the ‘Eye in the Sky’. It was followed by Garuda formation comprising of one C-17 Globemaster with two MiG-29s & two Su-30 MKI aircraft in ‘Vic’ formation.

The next formation was one of the awaited attractions of the event, one Rafale with two Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and two MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighters in ‘Vic’ formation at the height of 300 metre and a speed of 780 kilometre per hour. It was followed by the Trinetra formation comprising of three Su-30MKIs and the penultimate formation was Vijay comprising of three Advance Light Helicopters which are part of the acclaimed Sarang Display Team of the IAF.

The penultimate culmination of the parade was a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900 kilometre per hour carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’. The aircraft was piloted by Group Captain Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Squadron Leader Kislaykant. The craft went up vertically carrying out a series of rolls and giving a befitting salute to the motto of the Indian Air Force ‘Nabha Sparshan Deeptam’. The ceremony culminated with the national anthem and the release of Tri-colour balloons.