News Analysis India

Tag: Republic Day 2021

  • PM Modi dons special turban from Jamnagar at 72nd Republic Day

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wore a special turban from Gujarat’s Jamnagar at the 72nd Republic Day parade at Rajpath, continuing his tradition of donning unique headgears.

    The “halari paghdi” (royal turban) in shades of red with yellow dots was gifted to the PM by royal family of Jamnagar.

    Jamnagar MP Poonaben Maadam tweeted that the traditional ‘halari paghdi’ represents the rich culture of the region.

    “Jamnagar is known for its rich culture. Proud to see Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji in a ‘Halari Paghdi’ from Jamnagar on the occasion of #RepublicDay,” she said.

    Modi paired the turban with a traditional kurta, pyjama, grey jacket along with a face mask.

    Turbans have remained a highlight of the prime minister’s sartorial choices at Independence Day and Republic Day events.

    Last year, he sported a saffron “bandhej” headgear with a tail for the 71st Republic Day.

    For his maiden Independence Day speech in 2014, he had opted for a bright red Jodhpuri bandhej turban with green at the tail.

    In 2015, he chose a yellow turban covered with multi-coloured crisscross lines, and a tie and dye turban in hues of pink and yellow in 2016.

    The prime minister’s turban for 2017 was a mix of bright red and yellow with crisscrossed golden lines all over.

    He donned a saffron turban for his appearance at the Red Fort in 2018.

    From a bright red “bandhani” turban from Kutch to a mustard Rajasthani ”safa”, Modi’s eye-catching turbans have been a highlight of his previous Republic Day appearances.

  • In ‘Brahmastra’ and ‘Eklavya’ formations, Rafale makes debut on Republic Day flypast

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The newly inducted Rafale fighter aircraft featured for the first time in India’s Republic Day flypast as it carried out the ‘Brahmastra’ formation alone and was part of the ‘Eklavya’ formation with four other fighter jets.

    The fighter jet conducted Eklavya formation by flying at a height of around 300 meter along with two Jagaur and two MIG-29 aircraft.

    The five jets resembled a V shape with Rafale leading the pack.

    The 25,000 strong audience was able to see Rafale fighter jet again when it culminated the flypast by conducting the Brahmastra formation wherein it traversed at a low altitude for some distance, then pulled up vertically at 90 degrees and conducted rolls before stabilising at a higher altitude.

    In a major boost to India’s air power capability, five French-made multirole Rafale fighter jets were inducted into the IAF on September 10 last year.

    A total of 38 IAF aircraft and four planes of the Indian Army participated in the flypast on Tuesday.

    As is traditionally the case on Republic Day, flypast was divided into two blocks: the first was along with the parade and the second was after the parade.

    In the first block, there were three formations.

    The first was the ‘Nishan’ formation comprising of four Mi17V5 aircraft that carried the national flag and logos of all three services.

    It was followed by the ‘Dhruv’ formation by four helicopters of Army Aviation Corps.

    The last was the ‘Rudra’ formation — comprising a single Dakota aircraft flanked by two Mi17V5 helicopters — which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the country’s victory in the 1971 war.

    Dakotas played a major role during that war.

    On December 16 last year, India launched year-long celebrations of its victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

    The second block of the flypast consisted of nine formations.

    These nine formations were ‘Sudarshan’, ‘Rakshak’, ‘Bhim’, ‘Netra’, ‘Garuda’, ‘Eklavya’, ‘Trinetra’, ‘Vijay’ and ‘Brahmastra’.

    Sudarshan formation had one Chinook and two Mi17V5 helicopters, Rakshak formation comprised one Mi-35 and four Apache helicopters, Bhim formation consisted of three C-130J aircraft and Netra formation comprised indigenously developed early warning and control aircraft Netra flanked by two Sukhoi-30 fighter jets.

    Garuda formation had one C-17 Globemaster plane with two MIG-29 and two Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft.

    Trinetra formation comprised three Sukhoi-30 MKIs.

    Vijay formation showcased three advanced light helicopters.

    The IAF showcased models of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile Dhruvastra on its tableaus during the Republic Day parade.

    They also showcased scaled-down models of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet and Rohini radar on the tableaus.

    Indigenously developed next-generation anti-radiation missile Rudram and anti-tank guided missile Dhruvastra were displayed on the LCA and the LCH respectively, on the tableaus.

    Sukhoi-30Mki was displayed with indigenously developed Astra and Brahmos missiles at the tableau.

    Indigenously developed Akash missile was displayed along with the Rohini radar.

    The IAF’s marching contingent at the parade consisted of four officers and 96 soldiers marching in a box formation of 12 rows and eight columns.

    The marching contingent was led by Flight Lieutenant Tanik Sharma and three supernumerary officers — Flight Lieutenant Manjeet Singh, Flight Lieutenant Apoorva Yadav and Flying Officer Kuttapa.

  • India showcases military might, cultural heritage at Republic Day parade on Rajpath

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: In a display of India’s military might, Rafale fighter jets took part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time as the armed forces showcased its T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system and Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets on the Rajpath on Tuesday.

    Depicting the nation’s rich cultural heritage and economic progress, 17 tableaux from states and union territories and nine from different Union ministries and paramilitary forces took part in the 72nd Republic day parade.

    Six tableaux of the defence ministry also attended the event.

    School children performed folk arts and crafts displaying skills and dexterity handed down from generations.

    Bajasal, a folk dance from Kalahandi in Odisha, the Fit India Movement and Aatmanirbhar Bharat were also displayed on the Rajpath.

    This year, the attendance to the Republic Day parade was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Those below 15 years of age and above 65 were not allowed among the visitors at the venue.

    The parade also witnessed several major changes.

    The contingents only marched a distance of 3.5 km instead of the usual 8.5 km and for the first time in 55 years, no foreign dignitary attended the January 26 parade.

    However, a 122-member contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces marched on Rajpath.

    They carried the legacy of legendary muktijoddhas of Bangladesh, who fought against “oppression and mass atrocities” and liberated the country in 1971.

    India is currently celebrating the Swarnim Vijay Varsh — the Golden Jubilee year — commemorating the country’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

    The Indian Army showcased its main battle tank T-90 Bhishma, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II-Sarath, mobile autonomous launcher of the BrahMos missile system, multi-launcher rocket system Pinaka, electronic warfare system Samvijay among others during the parade on Tuesday.

    The Navy’s tableau at the Republic Day parade this year displayed models of Indian naval ship (INS) Vikrant and naval operations that were conducted during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

    The Air Force exhibited models of light combat aircraft Tejas and indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile Dhruvastra on its tableaus during the parade.

    Scaled-down models of the Light Combat Helicopter, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet and Rohini radar were also part of the IAF tableaux.

    A total of 38 IAF aircraft, include Rafale, and four planes of the Indian Army participated in the flypast.

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) presented two tableaus at this year’s parade, one showcasing light combat aircraft Tejas’ successful take off from aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in 2020, and another displaying full complement of the anti-tank guided missile systems.

    The Republic Day parade ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial in the morning.

    The tricolour was unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.

    The parade commenced with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute.

    Seventeen tableaux from various states and union territories, namely, Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Tripura, West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi and Ladakh were showcased during the parade, depicting the geographical and rich cultural diversity of the country.

    The tableaux highlighted the vision for Ladakh to be carbon neutral, the Sun temple at Modhera in Mehsana District of Gujarat, tea-tribes of Assam, shore temple and other monuments of Pallava Dynasty in Tamil Nadu, Bhakti Movement and saints of Maharashtra, among others.

  • No entry at Rajpath, no celebrations at school: COVID plays dampener for Republic Day

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: With coronavirus playing a dampener this year, it wasn’t a usual Republic Day morning for children as they weren’t allowed entry at the celebrations at Rajpath.

    School children, who turn up in large numbers at the Republic Day parade every year, were confined to their homes this time, hooked to their TV sets to watch the festivities.

    They did not get the opportunity to dress up and take part in cultural celebrations as schools continue to be closed due to coronavirus.

    Few schools had organised online essay writing competitions on Republic Day and activities such as flag colouring for primary classes.

    In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the spectator strength at the parade was brought down from 1.15 lakh to 25,000 and children below 15 years were not allowed.

    Few children accompanied their parents, who were not aware of the norms, to the parade but were turned away by security personnel from different check points.

    Children, whose siblings were participating in the cultural programme at the parade, could not see their performance.

    “I came with my parents and elder brother but now they are not allowing me. I was so excited about the parade. I was even wearing a mask and gloves to follow the protocols. Since I cannot go, my parents are also going back with me,” said 12-year-old Shrutika, who could not attend the parade.

    Her father, Ram Bhargav, said, “Why did they issue a pass if she was not allowed in the first place? Nobody told us then. I had an argument with the police personnel but they did not allow.”

    Abhinav Shukla, 7, said, “I was waiting a whole year to go to the parade but due to the virus they did not allow children. I am now watching it on TV. Tableaux and military displays are favourite part of my parade”.

    “Usually I would dress up as a freedom fighter for celebrations at school or take part in patriotic dance but this year we have been asked to watch the parade and write an essay on it,” said his 5-year-old brother Shivang Shukla.

    Preeti Gaur, whose younger sister was participating in a dance on the theme “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), had to watch her performance on TV though her parents went to the parade.

    “It was a proud moment for us. I wish I could see her performance in person but since I wasn’t allowed, my parents went and I watched it on TV,” she said.

    The 72nd Republic Day Parade witnessed several major changes owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    For the first time in 55 years, no foreign dignitary attended the January 26 parade.

    This year, the contingents only marched for a distance of 3.5 km instead of the usual 8.5 km.

  • Every citizen of India determines country’s fate of: Rahul wishes people on Republic Day

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India’s fate is determined by its every citizen, whether it is the ‘satyagrahi’ farmer, labourer, small and medium businessman, young job seeker or a housewife troubled by inflation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday as he greeted people on Republic Day.

    India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day, the day its Constitution came into force in 1950.

    “Every citizen of India determines the fate of the country, whether it is the ‘satyagrahi’ farmer-labourer or small-medium businessman, young job seeker or a housewife troubled by inflation,” Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “The Republic is from you, the Republic belongs to you,” he said, extending best wishes to people on the occasion.

    The Congress, on its official Twitter handle, said, “We shall never forget the struggles and sacrifices our brave hearts had to make to bring us freedom and our own Constitution. This Republic Day, let’s renew our sacred vow to uphold justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Jai Hind!” Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also wished people on Republic Day and raised the slogan, “Jai Jawaan, Jai Kisaan”.

    Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also extended his wishes to people of the country on Republic Day.

  • Posthumous gallantry medal for CRPF ASI for bid to stop Pulwama attack 

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: An assistant sub-inspector of CRPF who died in a blast while chasing an explosive-laden car in Pulwama in February 2019 is among those who will be awarded gallantry medals at the Republic Day function on Tuesday. He will be among the two who are being honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry.

    The other President’s Police Medal for Gallantry awardee is Jharkhand police assistant sub-inspector Banua Oraon who died in an anti-Maoist operation in 2018. Both are being awarded posthumously.

    Other 900 gallantry and service medal winners include an Inspector General of the Inod-Tibetan Border Police which has been at the forefront of vigil against PLA forces in Ladakh and two Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers who supervised probe into the Hathras gangrape-and-murder case.

    On February 14, 2019, ASI Mohan Lal was the picket commander of the road opening party at Lethpora in Pulwama on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

    According to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) , at about 3.10 pm Lal noticed a civilian car, running alongside the CRPF convoy passing through the area.

    “Lal sensed something suspicious and rushed to stop the suspicious vehicle. He signalled and chased the car to stop, but could not match the car’s speed. Ultimately, finding no other option, he fired towards the suspicious car to stop, but the car rammed onto a CRPF bus, and a huge blast took place,” Lal’s citation read. The blast killed 40 CRPF soldiers, including Lal.

    ITBP’s Inspector General  Deepam Seth, who heads the force’s Northwest Frontier, is among the 89 recipients of the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. Seth has been part of all Corps Commander-level meetings held between Indian and Chinese forces since June last year in Ladakh.

    CBI Joint Directors Sampat Meena and Vineet Vinayak are among six officers from the agency who have been awarded Distinguished Service medals.

    Apart from this, 73 personnel from fire services across the country have been awarded Fire Service Medals.

  • Government dedicated to farmers’ welfare: President bats for agri laws in his Republic Day message

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday paid tributes to farmers saying every Indian is grateful to them for ensuring food security in our vast and populous country, and gave the assurance that the government is devoted to farmers’ welfare.

    “Every Indian salutes our farmers, who have made our vast and populous country self-reliant in food-grains and dairy products. Despite adversities of nature, numerous other challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, our farmers sustained the agricultural production,” he said in his address on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day.

    “A grateful nation is fully committed to the welfare of our farmers. Just as our hardworking farmers ensure food security for the country, the brave soldiers of the armed forces ensure security of our national boundaries amid severest conditions,” Kovind said.

    The comments by the President come against the backdrop of the ongoing agitation by farmers against three new farm laws.

    The President said the path to reforms in the initial stages may cause misapprehensions, but the government is devoted to farmers’ welfare.

    “Economic reforms have continued apace and have been supplemented by long-pending reforms in the areas of labour and agriculture through legislation. The path to reform at the initial stages may cause misapprehensions. However, it is beyond doubt that the government remains singularly devoted to farmers’ welfare,” he said.

    Kovind said the country’s farmers, soldiers and scientists deserve special appreciation and the entire nation is grateful to them.

    “From space to the farms, from educational institutions to hospitals, the community of scientists has enriched our life and work. Our scientists have been working day and night for decoding the Coronavirus and they have succeeded in developing the vaccine in record time. With this accomplishment, our scientists have added a glorious chapter of contribution to the well-being of humanity.”

    “Our scientists, along with doctors, administrators and people from other walks of life, have made major contribution in containing the virus and keeping the fatality rate lower in our country, compared to that in developed countries. Thus, all our farmers, soldiers and scientists deserve special appreciation and a grateful nation greets them on this auspicious occasion of the Republic Day,” he said.

  • Senior officers must attend Republic Day event at Rajpath or face action: Government

    Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba said due to the coronavirus pandemic, the seating capacity at the official function at Rajpath has been decreased to just 25 per cent of the original capacity.

  • Republic Day 2021: Rafales to make debut in flypast as India to show military might, cultural heritage

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India will show its military might on Tuesday with Rafale fighter jets taking part in the Republic Day flypast for the the first time and the armed forces showcasing T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets, among others, said the Defence ministry on Monday.

    Total 32 tableaus — 17 from states and union territories, six from the Defence ministry and nine from other Union ministries and paramilitary forces — depicting the nation’s rich cultural heritage, economic progress and defence prowess will roll down the Rajpath at the Republic Day parade, the ministry said in a statement.

    “School children will perform folk arts and crafts displaying skills and dexterity handed down from generations — Bajasal, one of the most beautiful folk dances of Kalahandi in Odisha, Fit India Movement and Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the ministry noted.

    A 122-member proud contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces will also march on Rajpath on Tuesday, the ministry said.

    “The Bangladesh contingent will carry the legacy of legendary Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh, who fought against oppression and mass atrocities and liberated Bangladesh in 1971,” it added.

    India is currently celebrating the Swarnim Vijay Varsh – Golden Jubilee year – commemorating the country’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

    The Indian Army will showcase the main battle tank T-90 Bhishma, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II-Sarath, mobile autonomous launcher of the Brahmos missile system, multi-launcher rocket system Pinaka, electronic warfare system Samvijay among others during the parade on Tuesday, the Defence ministry noted.

    The Indian Navy’s tableau at the Republic Day parade this year will showcase models of Indian naval ship (INS) Vikrant and naval operations that were conducted during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

    The Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase models of light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas and indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile Dhruvastra on its tableaus during the parade, the ministry noted.

    They also showcased scaled-down models of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet and Rohini radar on the tableaus.

    A total of 38 IAF aircraft, include Rafale, and four planes of the Indian Army will participate in the flypast on Tuesday.

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will have two tableaus at this year’s parade, one showcasing light combat aircraft Tejas’ successful take off from aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in 2020, and another displaying full complement of the anti-tank guided missile systems, the Defence ministry said.

    The Republic Day parade ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial.

    “He will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, the PM and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade,” the ministry noted.

    As per tradition, the national flag will be unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute, it said.

    The parade will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute, the ministry added.

    Seventeen tableaux from various states and union territories, namely, Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Tripura, West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi and Ladakh will be showcased during the parade, depicting the geographical and rich cultural diversity of the country, it said.

    It stated these tableaux will show the vision for Ladakh to be carbon neutral, the sun temple at Modhera in Mehsana District of Gujarat, tea-tribes of Assam, shore temple and other monuments of Pallava Dynasty in Tamil Nadu, Bhakti Movement and saints of Maharashtra, etc.

  • Reforms may cause misbeliefs initially but govt devoted to farmers: President Kovind in R-day address

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Noting that long-pending reforms have been brought in the areas of labour and agriculture through legislation, President Ram Nath Kovind has said that the “path to reform at the initial stages may cause misapprehensions” but it is beyond doubt that the government remains singularly devoted to farmers’ welfare.

    In his address to the nation on the eve of 72nd Republic Day, the President referred to the three new farm laws brought by the government against which farmer unions have been holding a protest on Delhi’s borders since November 26.

    The farmer unions have held 11 rounds of talks with the government and have not accepted the offer to put the three new farm laws on hold for about 18 months. They are demanding the repeal of the three laws.

    The President said that adversity often plays the role of a great teacher and “makes us stronger and more confident”.

    Greetings to all of you on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day of the world’s largest & most vibrant democracy. In this land of ours, enriched by diversity, with many festivals, our national festivals are celebrated by everyone with great patriotic fervour: President Ram Nath Kovind pic.twitter.com/JFzgA7cvp4
    — ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2021

    “With that confidence, India has taken great strides in several sectors. Economic reforms have continued apace and have been supplemented by long-pending reforms in the areas of labour and agriculture through legislation. The path to reform at the initial stages may cause misapprehensions. However, it is beyond doubt that the Government remains singularly devoted to farmers’ welfare,” he said.

    The President said equally salient but touching more lives directly is the comprehensive reform in education which was long overdue.

    “The ‘National Education Policy 2020′, with its stress on tradition as well as technology, will lay the foundation of a New India which aspires to emerge as a knowledge hub on the international stage. This reform promises to incubate innate talent of students and ignite their minds to take up the challenges of life,” he said.

    The President said that every Indian salutes farmers, who have made “our vast and populous country self-reliant in food-grains and dairy products”.

    “Despite adversities of nature, numerous other challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, our farmers sustained the agricultural production. A grateful nation is fully committed to the welfare of our farmers,” he said.

    Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital against the three newly enacted farm laws – Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.