Jan 26, 2021: Striking glimpses of the big day

India on Jan 26, 2021 celebrated its 72nd Republic Day. The day signified the potential of the nation, that has been proved along various horizons. Counting from the grand and disciplined Republic Day parade at Rajpath to the wayward Kisan rallies, there were several things that happened on the day, in India. Through a series of pictures, let us get the glimpses of the big day.

 

 

India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day, a day primarily dedicated to the martyrs of the motherland, amidst serious tensions and military stand off at the LAC. The recent conflict between India and China, that started from the Pangong Tso and was hotted in the Galwan valley, has resulted in a series of diplomatic talks with the Indian soldiers constantly standing at the LAC on high alert. In such circumstances, the flag hoisting at the Pangong Tso by the ITBP troops is a significant glimpse for the day.

 

 

 

The Kashmir Valley is blooming ever since the abrogation of Article 370. The Kashmiris are witnessing the developments that they were parted from merely because of one constitutional barrier that was razed off in 2019. The feeling of nationalism and the hatred planted due to militancy is visibly vanishing. The picture of Kashmiri kids celebrating the Republic Day speaks thousand words.

 

 

The state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories after the abrogation of article 370. The republic day parade of 2021 becomes the first instance in the history of the country when the union territory was given a chance to display its culture and heritage through a separate tableau at Rajpath. The fundamental concern of the people of Ladakh was that the region remained untouched from the developmental programmes mainly because of the concerns of the Kashmir Valley. Therefore the decision of division of the state was welcomed in the Ladakh region. The instance of the R-day parade of Ladakh's tableau representing their culture through the Thiksey Monastery and IAO model will remain to be a highlight in the memory of the Ladakhis for years to come.

 

 

 

Uttar Pradesh state's tableau grabbed immense attention of the country because of the first ever national level display of the replication of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir. It was a proud moment for the Hindus of the world to witness the tableau progress through Rajpath. Also, the tableau being highly dedicated to the legacy Maryada Purushottam, nowhere went out of the way and became absolutely biased on the communal lines but instead other aspects of the state from religious and cultural history were also highlighted.

 

 

 

The Indian Air Force displayed a spectacular experience at the Republic Day Parade by showcasing the strength of Aircrafts deployed in the force. The aircrafts were showcased through various formations formed in the sky, facilitating the spectators with an awe dropping experience. The IAF display also included staged sorties by the attack and transport aircraft of the IAF. The main attraction of the 2021 Republic Day Parade was the recently acquired French Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), the Dassault made Rafale. The aircrafts included in the Republic Day ceremony are Sukhoi Su30 MKI, HAL Tejas LCA, Rafale, Mirage-2000, Mikoyan MiG-21, Mikoyan MiG-27, Mikoyan MiG-29 and SEPECAT Jaguar. The procession tableau of IAF was unique as well as Fighter Pilot Bhawana Kanth was the first female fighter pilot in the Indian history to participate in the parade this year.

 

 

 

Capt. Preeti Chaudhary was the only woman who was part of the parade, representing the Indian army. The IAF had included two woman officers for the parade Flight Lt Swati Rathore who led the flypast on the day and Fighter Pilot Bhawana Kanth. Capt. Preeti Chaudhary was the only lady officer to represent the Indian army on the Republic Day. She led the Schilka Weapon system. Speaking about her role as the only woman contingent commandant, she said that she received the opportunity because the upgraded weapon system belonged to her regiment, not because of her gender.

 

The Kisan rallies that were permitted to be practiced after the Republic Day celebrations, defied the legal directions provided to them and started their rallies sooner than the scheduled time. While the Republic Day celebrations were in progress, the rallies, initially assumed to include merely farmers in order to display their dissatisfaction about the farm laws, proceeded towards the national capital. At every moment after this instance, the picture kept on getting even worse.