Do You Watch/Miss The Republic Day Parade??
What do you do on Republic Day??
What do you do on the morning of January 26 -- Republic Day of India?? Do you prefer to enjoy the national holiday lazily as India commemorates and celebrates her transition from British dominion to a 'Republic' on Jan 26, 1950?? Or, do you get glued to the television screen for a live telecast of the Republic Day Parade from Rajpath, New Delhi?? Did you get a chance to watch it live?? Do you have the desire to watch the R-Day parade sitting right there, in the lawns of India Gate??
(Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate)
Our house is 6-7km from India Gate; The R-Day parade rehearsals had been on, since months now. There is a full-dress rehearsal on the 23rd of January. In the last week, twice I had witnessed the jets' show in the air...it's truly amazing. I showed it to my 2+yr old niece also; later in the day, she told her grandpa that she saw the "planes" forming "clouds" in the "sky". I have asked my brother to take her to the Red Fort to show her the tableaux, and to India Gate, to show the Rashtrapati Bhavan all lit-up.
What do you do on the morning of January 26 -- Republic Day of India?? Do you prefer to enjoy the national holiday lazily as India commemorates and celebrates her transition from British dominion to a 'Republic' on Jan 26, 1950?? Or, do you get glued to the television screen for a live telecast of the Republic Day Parade from Rajpath, New Delhi?? Did you get a chance to watch it live?? Do you have the desire to watch the R-Day parade sitting right there, in the lawns of India Gate??
(Republic Day Parade from Rajpath, New Delhi)
The Republic Day parade has had a special charm for me, since my childhood. Arrival of the President, march past by different regiments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, show of strength of the armoury, the vibrant tableaux from different States and Ministries, dances by school students, national bravery award winners on beautifully decorated elephants, the human pyramid on motorcycles, and finally, fly-past by the helicopters and the Air Force jet planes -- the whole parade is awesome.
(The Dispatch Riders forming a human pyramid)
(The Jaguars)
The spectacular show in the sky by the jets is the best part of the parade, at least to me. I get real sad when, at the beginning, the President of India gives away the Param Veer Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra and other gallantry awards posthumously to next of the kin of the soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, for all of us. Earlier, on way to the saluting dais, the President pays floral tributes to the martyred soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, at India Gate.
(Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate)
Our house is 6-7km from India Gate; The R-Day parade rehearsals had been on, since months now. There is a full-dress rehearsal on the 23rd of January. In the last week, twice I had witnessed the jets' show in the air...it's truly amazing. I showed it to my 2+yr old niece also; later in the day, she told her grandpa that she saw the "planes" forming "clouds" in the "sky". I have asked my brother to take her to the Red Fort to show her the tableaux, and to India Gate, to show the Rashtrapati Bhavan all lit-up.
(Rashtrapati Bhavan is illuminated on national festivals)
I also love the bands, especially the camel-band of the Border Security Force (BSF), the floral tableau and Goan dance; if you hang around in Connaught Place in the evening, you may see BSF jawans enjoying their evening out, on those wonderfully decorated camels. I vividly remember the R-Day cultural programmes that I had attended at Talkatora Stadium. O!! I can't explain how much I love this -- the parade and other events that are organized to celebrate the Republic Day.
(Another spectacular view of the parade from Rajpath)
I recall the days when my brothers, cousins and I used to get curious to have a look at the tableaux being made at Rabindra Rangshala each time we passed by the ridge connecting Karol Bagh and Dhaula Kuan. It is an open air theatre, conceived and created by the first Prime Minister of India, late Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, with a seating capacity of 8000-10000 spectators. It used to be fun seeing the carpenters and others work on the tableaux. We would also be curious to know which State chose what theme, and all.
Guys, those who love India have no reason to miss the parade live on Doordarshan. (If your cable operator doesn’t show DD, report it with the authorities. They are bound to show the national television channels. If they don't, is a punishable offence. Just threaten the cable operator of 'dire consequences’... you still have the time.)
Cheers!! Enjoy the R-Day Parade!!
We have been going there almost regularly. Earlier they would allow the cars nearest to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now, due to security reasons, one has to take a look from far. Parking arrangements are very fine; One would have no reason to miss this. I almost dragged my SIL to join us to her 'first view' of an illuminated Rashtrapati Bhavan. They were married in Dec '06 and she was not accustomed to the Delhi chill.
I also love the bands, especially the camel-band of the Border Security Force (BSF), the floral tableau and Goan dance; if you hang around in Connaught Place in the evening, you may see BSF jawans enjoying their evening out, on those wonderfully decorated camels. I vividly remember the R-Day cultural programmes that I had attended at Talkatora Stadium. O!! I can't explain how much I love this -- the parade and other events that are organized to celebrate the Republic Day.
(Another spectacular view of the parade from Rajpath)
I recall the days when my brothers, cousins and I used to get curious to have a look at the tableaux being made at Rabindra Rangshala each time we passed by the ridge connecting Karol Bagh and Dhaula Kuan. It is an open air theatre, conceived and created by the first Prime Minister of India, late Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, with a seating capacity of 8000-10000 spectators. It used to be fun seeing the carpenters and others work on the tableaux. We would also be curious to know which State chose what theme, and all.
(A floral tableau at the parade)
I had been at the Rangshala in 2005 with an architect friend who wanted to study the place. It was in such a deplorable condition that I believe the souls of Nehru and Rabrindranath would pity themselves for being attached to it, in any way. Lately, the government approved Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium also, for making of the tableaux.
After the parade, the tableaux used to stand at Red Fort grounds, overnight (or may be longer). Dad used to take us to Red Fort and we could actually touch, and even sit on the tableaux. One could dig teeth into kulfi or chaats also as chaat-wallahs from nearby Chandni Chowk would come up with mobile stalls. We used to take a ride in the four-seater (later extended to eight seats) that used to ply between Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place. Due to pollution concerns, those are off Delhi roads since many years now and had been replaced by jeeps/SUVs.
Back to R-Day, the parade kind of, fills me with pride. Each year, if you watch the parade attentively, you would notice how our defence systems have improved over the years; one gets glimpse of the indigenously built tanks and missiles too. As it moves on, the parade unfolds to the spectators our military might, our scientific and technological advancements and achievements, as well as our cultural diversity and richness.
(Brahmos at the Parade)
President of India's address to the nation on the eve of the R-Day is aired on all the channels of the All India Radio (AIR) and telecast over Doordarshan (DD). Mrs Paribha D. Patel would be the first woman Perez of India to do so.
Each year we have the first citizen of a nation for the Chief Guest. This year, it is the President of France. (I had read that his girlfriend wouldn't be accompanying him, due to protocol problems. A wife is a wife is a wife... 
Over the years, changes have been made in the route of the parade and the duration too has shortened, keeping in mind security issues. (Because of this not all the States and Ministries get a chance to showcase their tableaux. Whole lot of politics and pull-push goes into this too.) I can imagine all the DCPs and ACPs and staff of Delhi Police taking a sigh of relief with the peaceful conclusion of the parade and other celebrations that take place in the national capital. They too deserve applause. Despite threats from one terrorist outfit or the other, each year, the show goes on. Touchwood!!
Interestingly, the Delhi Police contingent had been receiving the 'Best Contingent Trophy' over several years now. I guess an auspicious eleven times...that's remarkable!! At least it gives me one reason (and one day) to like the Delhi Police. Else one just knows the pot-bellied, nose-pricking, paan-chewing, beedi-smoking guys with DP badges.
Guys, those who love India have no reason to miss the parade live on Doordarshan. (If your cable operator doesn’t show DD, report it with the authorities. They are bound to show the national television channels. If they don't, is a punishable offence. Just threaten the cable operator of 'dire consequences’... you still have the time.)
Cheers!! Enjoy the R-Day Parade!!
[P.S. My sympathies are with those who have the desire to watch the parade but may have to miss it because of work. It is a pity that MNCs don't acknowledge our national holidays. The Governent should be strict with them.]
Pix Courtesy: website, including PIB.
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