News Analysis India

Tag: Republic Day

  • Will celebrate Republic Day with farmers, expose BJP: Akhilesh Yadav

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: Backing the agitation against the Centre’s farm laws, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party will celebrate the Republic Day with farmers and “expose” the BJP.

    “On January 26, the Samajwadi Party will celebrate the Republic Day with farmers and expose the BJP, which has become a puppet in the hands of big capitalists,” Yadav said a statement here.

    “Farmers are holding a peaceful dharna for their just demands. Their non-violent movement has become historic. The Republic Day is a national festival. On this day, our ‘annadata’,who is revered deserves the respect of all of us and should not be humiliated,” he added.

    Stating that farmers should not be ignored, Yadav said by accepting their demands, the pride of the nation will increase.

    “The BJP leadership and the government should also keep their language restrained. Do not make unwarranted and baseless allegations against farmers. The main demand of farmers is that agriculture laws should be rollbacked,” he said “We are in full support of farmers. They have made India self-reliant. The party organised a kisan yatra and other programmes in support of farmers,” he said.

  • R-Day flypast: Rafale aircraft, first woman fighter pilot to debut

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth will be a part of the Republic Day parade this year to become the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the ceremonial event on January 26

    “I had been watching the Republic Day Parade on television and now now I am going to be a part of it. It is a matter of pride for me,” said Bhawana.

    Bhawana was part of the first batch of three women fighter pilots of the Indian Air Force in 2016. Hailing from Bihar, Bhawana joined the fighter squadron in November 2017 and became operational in March 2018 after her solo flying in a MiG 21 Bison.

    Two of the newly inducted Rafale fighter aircraft will feature in the Republic Day flypast. Each Rafale fighter will be flying in Eklavya Formation and Brahmastra Formation. In Eklavya formation, it will be flanked with two Jaguars and two MiG 29s.

    A total of 42 aircraft (IAF and Army) will be participating in Republic Day flypast this year. There will be 15 fighters, 5 transport aircraft, 17 helicopters, one vintage aircraft, and four Army Aviation helicopters. 

    The flypast will culminate with Rafale fighters carrying out the ‘Vertical Charlie’ formation, the IAF said. 

    In the ‘Vertical Charlie’ formation, the aircraft flies at low altitude pulls up vertically, and conducts rolls before stabilising at higher altitude.

    ALSO READ | Flt Lt Bhawana Kanth becomes first IAF woman pilot to undertake combat missions

    The Bangladesh Army Contingent is participating in the Republic Day Parade as a special invitee to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the 1971 war. The IAF’s vintage Dakota aircraft, flanked with two MI 17 1V helicopters will be flying past in Rudra Formation at the time when the Bangladesh Contingent will be Marching past the President Ram Nath Kovind’s saluting dais.

    The Air Force Marching contingent of 100 personnel will be let by Flt Lt Tanik Sharma. There will be total of four officers and 96 other ranks.

    The IAF Tableaux will display the model of LCA Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter, Rohini Radar, Akash Missile, and Sukhoi 30MKI.

    Rafale multirole fighters were officially inducted into the IAF in September 2020 and eight of the 36 purchased at Rs 59,000cr in 2016 have joined the IAF till now. All Rafale fighters will join the IAF by 2022.

  • We have constitutional right to take out tractor rally on January 26: Farmer unions post SC verdict

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Protesting union leaders on Monday said that farmers have a constitutional right to take out their tractor rally peacefully and asserted that thousands of people will participate in the proposed event on January 26.

    The Supreme Court said on Monday that the Delhi Police is the first authority to decide the entry of protesting farmers into the national capital.

    Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal) Punjab general secretary Paramjit Singh said that farmers are not going to hold their rally on Rajpath and in other high-security areas, adding that they would only take out it on the Outer Ring Road in Delhi and that there will be no disruption in the official Republic Day parade. 

    ALSO READ| Proposed tractor rally: It’s law and order matter, says SC on plea for injunction against it

    “We are stuck at the Delhi borders. We have not decided to sit at these borders ourselves, we have been stopped from entering Delhi. We will take out the rally peacefully without disrupting any law and order. We will exercise our constitutional right and we will definitely enter Delhi,” Singh told PTI.

    Another farmer leader Lakhbir Singh, who is vice president (Punjab) of All India Kisan Sabha, said that farmers will return to protest sites after taking out the tractor rally on the Outer Ring Road on January 26. “We will not go to any place where there might be a government gathering, and all our tractors will have a national flag and the flags of our farmer unions,” Lakhbir said.

    Asked about their stand in case the Delhi Police does not give them permission for the tractor parade, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said that farmers have constitutional rights to hold the tractor rally peacefully.

    “If the Delhi Police has some issues over law and order on Republic Day, they can sit with Sankyukt Kisan Morcha and tell about alternatives routes for the tractor rally. Thereafter, our farmers’ committee will decide the same. But, it is very clear that their tractor rally will be taken out in the national capital on January 26,” Ugrahan told PTI.

    Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been camping at several Delhi borders since November 28, demanding a repeal of farm laws and legal guarantee on minimum support price for their crops.

    ALSO READ| Give up stubborn stand and come for discussion on January 19: Narendra Tomar to protesting farmers

    While hearing a petition, the Supreme Court told the Centre that the proposed tractor rally by farmers on the Republic Day on January 26 is a matter of “law and order” and Delhi Police is the first authority to decide who should be allowed to enter the national capital.

    A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, while hearing the Centre’s application seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor or trolley march or any other kind of protest which seeks to disrupt the gathering and celebrations of the Republic Day, said that police has all the authority to deal with the matter.

    The tenth round of talks between the government and the protesting farmer unions is scheduled on January 19. On the same day, the Supreme Court-appointed committee to resolve the impasse will hold its first meeting.

    The previous nine rounds of formal talks between the Centre and 41 farmer unions have failed to yield any concrete results to end the long-running protest at Delhi’s borders as the latter have stuck to their main demand of a complete repeal of the three acts.

    The Supreme Court had on January 11 stayed the implementation of the three laws till further orders and appointed a four-member panel to resolve the impasse. However, Bhartiya Kisan Union president Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself from the committee last week.

  • COVID-19 effect: No joint or coordinated parade this year at Attari border on Republic Day

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: This year, there will be no joint or coordinated parade at the Attari border on Republic Day. Earlier, Pakistan and India used to do a joint parade, which spectators used to watch from both the side. This year, no public will be allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions at the Attari border.

    “No joint or coordinated parade this year at Attari border on Republic Day. No public will be allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions. India will conduct flag-lowering as per daily schedule,” a Border Security Force (BSF) senior official said.

    Since March 7 public was not allowed at the Attari border due to COVID-19 restrictions. According to sources, Pakistan since the last few weeks have allowed public as they are seen from the Indian side. Also, India is not offering sweets to Pakistan on various occasions due to the tense relationship with Pakistan, sources said.

    BSF sources have also claimed that a meeting is scheduled this week to decide what can be done on Republic day.

  • Will go ahead with tractor march in Delhi on Republic Day: Farmer unions

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: The farmers unions on Sunday announced that they would hold a peaceful farmers parade on Republic day on Outer Ring Road in Delhi. Every vehicle in the march would fly a tri-colour besides the flag of the concerned farmer organization. Similar parades will also be held in various state capitals.

    The Samyukta Kisan Morcha in it’s meeting at the Singhu border finalised the route for ‘Kisan Tractor Parade’ to be scheduled on January 26 and announced that the parade’ will be organised on Outer Ring Road in the national capital. There will be no disruption in National Republic Day Parade.

    The farmers have urged the Delhi and Haryana Police not to stop their parade. Yogendra Yadav President of Swaraj India said, “Farmers will enter Delhi and carry out a peaceful tractor parade with national flag on Outer Ring Road of the national capital on the Republic Day (January 26) will be of approximately 47 kilometres. No disruption will be caused to the official Republic Day ceremony. Similar parades will also be held in various state capitals in the same fashion.”

    “The authorities had moved the Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor march or any other kind of protest by farmers which seeks to disrupt the gathering and celebrations of Republic Day on January 26. The matter is pending in court,” he added.

    The farmer leaders also criticised the union government attempt to disrupt the farmers agitation by getting National Investigation Agency (NIA) to issue to summons to people backing the stir. Krantikari Kisan Union President Darshan Pal Singh said, “The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is sending summons to those who are part of the protest or supporting it. We condemn this move and attempt by the government to disrupt the farmers agitation nd we will fight this mve of the government also.” 

    Also a ‘Jan Sansand’ is being proposed for January 22 and 23 at Delhi by the opposition parties, as the representatives of the Congress, SAD (Democratic) and AAP met a farmer leader in the national capital today as a meeting in this regard was organised. Gurman Singh Chaduni President of Haryana Bhartiya Kisan Union said, “The meeting was organised today in which the representatives of the political parties in the opposition participated. As no political leader is allowed in our agitation and since they also want to be part it, we decided that they can hold a two day `Jan Sansand’ on January 22 and 23 in which across party lines the political leaders can come on one stage and express their support. As 65 per cent vote went to the opposition parties and 35 per cent to ruling NDA Government led by BJP, if opposition say these laws are no needed then it is voice of the elected representatives.”

    Regarding Chaduni’s meeting with the politicians in Delhi today, the unions cleared that the meeting has no link with the farmers front and he has been called tomorrow to clarify his position. “We will talk to Chaduni regarding today’s meeting. It may be his personal decision,” said Darshan Pal. They also paid the tribute to a total of 121 persons, who lost their lives amid the on-going agitation.

  • No foreign head of State to attend Republic Day event this year as chief guest due to COVID: MEA

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI:: India on Thursday said that there will be no foreign head of State as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Due to the global COVID-19 situation, it has been decided that this year, there will not be a foreign head of state or head of government as the chief guest for our Republic Day event,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava during a virtual press briefing.

    Last year, India had invited UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade later this month. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who visited India in December, had announced that Johnson has accepted the invitation to visit India.

    However, on January 5, Johnson cancelled his planned trip to India, stating that it was important for him to remain in the UK to focus on the domestic response to COVID-19, in the wake of a more contagious variant of the virus. “The PM spoke to Prime Minister Modi this morning to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned,” the spokesperson said.

    The cancellation of the visit was announced a day after Johnson imposed the third lockdown in the country amid rising coronavirus infections.

  • Corona Warriors will be honored on the occasion of Republic Day

    According to the decision of the state government, no cultural programs will be organized on 26 January 2021 this year. Republic Day will be held in a dignified manner throughout the state, not organizing cultural events. Corona warriors doctors, policemen, health workers and sanitation workers will be specially honored at the ceremony. During the event all instructions for rescue from Kovid 19 will be followed and prepared. School students / students will not be called in the Republic Day celebrations. On the night of Republic Day 26 January, all the government, public buildings, monuments of national importance will be lighted. Also, the national flag will be hoisted at all government and public buildings.

  • Republic Day will be celebrated in a dignified way: programs will be organized keeping in mind the Kovid-19

    Republic Day 26 January 2021 will be held in a dignified manner throughout the state. According to the decision of the state government, no cultural programs will be organized this year. Corona warriors doctors, policemen, health workers and sanitation workers will be specially honored at the ceremony. During the event, all instructions for rescue from Kovid-19 will be followed and prepared. School students will not be called in the Republic Day celebrations. On the night of Republic Day 26 January, all the government / public buildings / monuments of national importance will be lighted. Also, the national flag will be hoisted at all government and public buildings.

    As per the order issued by the General Administration Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, the flag hoisting will be done by the Honorable Governor Ms. Anusuiya Uike at the Republic Day celebrations organized at the state level capital Raipur. After the flag hoisting, a guard of honor will be given by contingents of police and paramilitary forces. After this the message will be read by the Honorable Governor. The program will honor Corona Warriors physicians, policemen, health workers and sanitation workers following the guidelines issued for the rescue of Kovid-19.

    Flag hoisting will be done by the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations organized at the district level. After the flag hoisting, a guard of honor will be given by contingents of police and paramilitary forces. After this, the Chief Minister’s message will be read out in the public name. The program will honor Corona Warriors physicians, policemen, health workers and sanitation workers following the guidelines issued for the rescue of Kovid-19.

  • Government issued guidelines for Republic Day, this time there will be no children in the ceremony,

    1. State Level: – Flag hoisting will be done at the state level in the capital Raipur by the Governor. After the flag hoisting, a salute (guard of honor) will be given by contingents of police and paramilitary forces. The message will be read by the governor. Corona warriors doctors, policemen, health workers and sanitation workers should be specially invited and honored. Wearing masks, social distance etc. must be followed.
    2. District level: – Flag hoisting will be done by the chief guest at the district level. After the flag hoisting, a salute (guard of honor) will be given by police and city troop contingents. The Chief Guest should read the message to the public by the Chief Minister. Corona warriors doctors, policemen, health workers and sanitation workers should be specially invited and honored. Wearing masks, social distance etc. must be followed.

    District Panchayat / Tehsil Level: – Public functions will not be held at Tehsil / District Panchayat level. Flag hoisting by the District Panchayat President in the District Panchayat offices and the Mayor / Presidents in the urban body in the urban bodies.
    Panchayat Headquarters / Large Village Level: – The national anthem should be sung collectively by the sarpanch in the panchayat headquarters and flag hoisting in big villages, by the head of the villages.
    School students / girls will not be collected in any event in any event organized at any (state / district / block / panchayat) level.
    The cultural program should not be organized in the organized program. A limited number of dignitaries may also be invited. Special attention should also be given to social / personal distance in the meeting arrangement.
    Since the main function to be held in the state capital Raipur and other district headquarters will start from 9 am, in view of this, the flag hoisting program in the government offices located in Raipur and other district headquarters should be done before 8 am, so that those offices Officers / employees of the district can participate in the main function.
    A flag hoisting program should be organized by the department / office head in his office and after hoisting the national anthem (Jan-gana-mana) should be sung collectively.

  • Rafale fighters to participate in Republic Day 2021 celebration

    By Express News Service
    The newly acquired modern multi role Rafale fighters of the Indian Air force will be flying over Rajpath as part of the flypast on the 72nd Republic Day.

    Confirming the information, a source said that the numbers of band contingents and the numbers of tableau will be the maximum this year. “Rafale fighters will be the part of Republic Day air display this year, but the motorcycle team Daredevil will not be participating.”

    There will be a total of 32 tableaux this year with 17 from states and Union territories and the rest will be from the Central Ministries and Departments, Armed forces (Army, Nay and Air force).

    There will two tableaux for the Defence research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

    Also, two special tableaux, one from the Ministry of Culture depicting the 75 years of independence and the other from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting about the New India.

    In the 2020 RD Parade there were a total of 22 tableaux. 

    There will be 23 band contingents this year.

    Due to Covid-19 restrictions, both children for Bravery Award and Gallantry Award winners above 60 years will not be participating.

    About the fleet

    The first five aircraft arrived in India in July 2020 and were officially inducted into the IAF as part of its No 17 Squadron, also known as the ‘Golden Arrows’. Later in November three more aircraft joined the Squadron.

    IAF will now have eight Rafale jets in service. The contract for 36 of these fighters was signed in an inter-governmental agreement with France in 2016 at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.

    COVID-19 restrictions have led to the absence of few important attendees this year.

    Captain Bana Singh, PVC will be absent from parade as he is over 60 years of age.

    Another significant absentee from the parade will be the Daredevil Motorcycle stunt team.

    As reported earlier by TNIE, the Republic Day celebrations in many ways will be scaled down amidst the COVID-19 restrictions. The Parade marching distance has been cut short to 3.5 kilometer from the initial 8.5 km and the number of soldiers in each Marching contingent has been reduced to only 96 marchers, 12 rows and 8 columns.

    The spectator strength has also been drastically cut down from 1,25000 to 25,000 this year.