Not VVIPs but first rows reserved for Central Vista workers, rickshaw pullers, vegetable vendors at R-Day parade

New Delhi, Jan 19: In a new and significant developlment, this year's Republic Day parade will include special official invitees, from rickshaw pullers to vegetable vendors, with an aim to truly represent the spirit of a Republic nation.

 

Shramjeevis (workers who helped build the Central Vista), their families, maintenance workers of Kartavya Path, and other members of the community such as rickshaw pullers, small grocers and vegetable vendors will be seated in front of the main dais during the parade. They will be part of the "special invitees".

 

 

In a statement release by the Ministry of Defence, "This year invites have been sent to common people from all walks of the society such as Shramyogis involved in construction of Central Vista, Kartvya Path, New Parliament Building, milk, vegetable vendors, and street vendors etc. These Special Invitees will be prominently seated at Kartvya Path."

 

The Ministry said the Republic Day celebrations will begin with Parakram Divas (the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose) on January 23 and end with Martyrs' Day on January 30. The theme of this year’s celebrations is "Common People’s Participation' in all Republic Day events.

 

 

"Public participation in Republic Day events is the main theme of this year’s celebrations. The second most important is Parakram Diwas – which will be celebrated on January 23 – with which we will start R-Day celebrations this year," Defense Secretary Giridhar Armane said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

 

Armane said Egypt’s 120-member marching contingent would also take part in the parade. In the past, contingents from the defense forces of the United Arab Emirates and France have also marched in India’s R-Day parade.

 

This Republic Day parade will take place for the first time after the renaming of Rajpath from Rajpath to Duty Path during the inauguration of the renovated Central Vista Avenue in September 2022. Prime minister Narendra Modi A new era was then said to have begun as the symbol of colonialism – the Rajpath or the ‘Kingsway’ – was erased forever.

 

According to the Defense Ministry, the number of seats for the parade on the duty path has been reduced to 45,000. But 32,000 of these and 10 per cent of the total seats for the Beating Retreat program will be available for online booking by the public.

 

 

Armane further said that on January 23 and 24, there will be programs by the ministries of tribal affairs and defense in the Republic Day celebrations. He said that the selection of tableaux was done in a systematic manner and states were approached, after which they gave suggestions at the planning stage.

 

The Defense Secretary also said that art forms and food items from different states will be displayed during the Bharat Parv at the Red Fort. Defense PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said that the Republic Day parade flypast has been divided into two parts. "There will be a total of 18 helicopters, eight transporter aircraft and 23 fighter aircraft,” he said.

 

 

January 23: Celebration of birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose as Parakram Divas, programs by Ministries of Tribal Affairs and Defense

 

January 24: Programs by Ministries of Tribal Affairs and Defense

 

January 25: Ceremony at Prime Minister’s residence

 

 

January 28: Parade by NCC

 

January 29: Beating Retreat Ceremony

 

January 30: Martyrs Day