Republic Day 2020 Parade Highlights

Republic Day 2020 Parade Highlights
In picture: President of India Ram Nath Kovind, President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Republic Day 2020 Parade Highlights
In picture: President of India Ram Nath Kovind, President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro and Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The Parade as it unfolded

PM Modi arrives at the War Memorial at India Gate and pays homage to the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who gave their lives in the line of duty.

0955 Hrs: President of India Ram Nath Kovind and the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Parade celebrations, President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro, welcomed by the President’s Bodyguard (PBG).

Later, PBG escorts them down Rajpath to the Chief Guest area. They are received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister, the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the three Service Chiefs along with other dignitaries.

The National Flag unfolded, as the National Anthem played and the 21 Gun Salute was given to the Chief Guest.

The Parade commences with Mi17 Helicopters flying low in V formation.

Lt General Asit Mistry, the Delhi Area, and Parade Commander lead the parade, followed by Second-in-Command Maj Gen Alok Kacker.

The Military Veterans and highest honour medal winners in Jeeps followed.

The smartly turned out awe-inspiring Horsemen of the 61st Cavalry came down Rajpath in their disciplined and trained horses. The Regiment has earned 31 Battle Honours, and the contingent was led by Capt. Deepanshu Sheoran.

The menacing Mechanized Tank Column of the T-90 Bhishma came rumbling down, led by T-90 Bhishma Capt. Sunny Chahar

The recently inducted K-9 Vajra-T, track-mounted 155 mm Howitzer led by Capt. Abhinav Sahu of 269 Medium Regiment (Artillery) came next.

Capt Mrigank Bhardwaj next led the recently inducted 155 mm Dhanush Artillery Gun contingent. The Army also showcased the Short Span Bridging System, used to create temporary bridges over wet and dry battle areas. It was led by Capt. Adhiraj Pathak of 64 Assault Regiment.

People were awed to see Army Aviation Corps’ Lt Col VK Bakshi lead the four Rudra ALH helicopter formation.

The Akash short-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system came next, led by Maj Ankit Pahil.

The Marching Contingent

The dreaded Commandos of the Parachute Regiment led Maj Nikhil Shaurya came trotting down Rajpath in a display of strength, stamina, and commitment. The regiment motto is ‘Shatrujeet.’

Next was the 20 Grenadiers contingent led by Maj Anirudh Nair.

To the rear was the 80-Band joint contingent of the Armoured Corps and MEG Centre.

The majestic Sikh Light Infantry led by Maj Anjum Gorka marched next and followed by Capt. Rahul Singh Kataria-led Kumaon Regiment.

One of the most inspiring sights was to see fourth-generation Army officerCapt. Tanya Shergill, smartly lead the all-men Corps of Signals contingent.

The Army Air Defence contingent was next and led by Capt. Vikas Kumar Sahu.

The first among Tableaus was the Military Veterans. Bringing up the rear was the Navy Brass Band playing ‘Jai Bharti.’

Following the band were 144 smart young sailors of the Indian Navy led by three women officers.

The Naval tableau followed depicting the navy’s presence in all three battle theatres – sea, land, and air.

The Air Force band led by Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar led the 72 musicians’ contingent, which included 3 Drum Majors.

Following them were the Air Force contingent led by Flight Lieutenant Shrikant Sharma. In the rear was the Air Force Tableau displaying a scaled-down model of Tejas and Rafale fighters and the Astra Air-to-Air Missile system.

DRDO tableau was next showcasing India’s latest Anti-satellite Missile System – part of Mission Shakti.

It was followed by Lt Vivek More of 140 AD, leading the Air Defence Tactical Control Radar Unit.

The Coast Guard led by Deputy Commandant Gaurav Sharma was next.

Behind them was the CRPF Band led by Inspector Shamsher Lal. Assistant Commandant Sandeep Patil next led the CRPF marching contingent.

Paramilitary and Police

The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) band played out the familiar ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ as they led the smart ITBP marching contingent led by Assistant Commandant Amit Yadav.

The Central Industrial Police Force (CISF) band led by Sub Inspector Rajpurohit was next and followed by the 85-strong CISF contingent led by Deputy Commandant Prabh Simran Singh

Delhites were thrilled to see the 68-strong Delhi Police Band, which was followed by the ever-so-smart Delhi Police marching contingent led by Assistant Commissioner Sudhanshu Dharma. In the past, the Delhi Police has won the best marching contingent awards.

Then came the gentle yet resolute colourfully-decked Border Security Force (BSF) Camel band contingent led by Deputy Commandant Ghanshyam Singh playing the lovely ‘Hum Hain Seema Suraksha Bal’ tune.

National Cadet Corps and NSS

Under Officer Yash Jain led the NCC Cadets’ band. Following them were the NCC Junior Wing commanded by Under Officer Charanjit Singh.

Then came the NCC Girls Cadet band from the Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani, playing the evergreen ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha.’ Following them was the 168-strong NCC Girls marching contingent.

Then came the National Service Scheme (NSS) contingent led by Chetan Gupta.

The 130-strong Massed Pipes Band of Army playing ‘Almora’ were at the rear of the marching contingents.

State Tableau

Several colourful tableaus followed representing various states and government departments.

First, was Chhattisgarh depicting the rich tribal culture. Tamil Nadu came next showcasing their folk arts and dances. Dessert state of Rajasthan was next with Jaipur as the central theme representing rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Telangana displayed its mix of culture and festivals. Assam followed with their bamboo and cane-themed tableau.

Himachal Pradesh displayed their Kullu Dussehra festival while Madhya Pradesh represented the Tribal Museum in Bhopal.

The Goa tableau highlighted the state’s rich biodiversity and the ‘Save the Frog’ campaign. Eastern coast state of Odisha showcased the Rukuna Ratha Yatra of Lord Lingaraja temple of Bhubaneshwar.

Meghalaya was next with their folk arts, followed by Gujarat. The state tableau showcased Rani-ki-Vav, the only UNESCO recognized step-well in the world.

Andhra Pradesh showed their rich culture and festivals

The Uttar Pradesh tableau highlighted religious tourism while Karnataka displayed the Anubhava Mantapa concept.

The Jammu & Kashmir tableau showcased the ‘Back to Village’ initiative. Punjab celebrated the 550th Birth centenary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion.

Government Department Tableau

The tableau sequence highlighted various government programs.

Department for Promotion of Industry and International Trade

Department of Financial Services showcasing digital payments – BHIM initiative and schemes like Mudra.

NDRF showed Life Saving and Conservation of Living Beings.

Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation displayed ‘Har Ghar Jal’ theme, while the Ministry of Shipping celebrated itsGlorious Past and Vibrant Future’ theme.

CPWD presented the flower-themed ‘Kashmir Se Kanyakumari Tak’ initiative.

School Children Tableau and Performances

Tableau highlighting Bravery, Innovation, and Sports among children.

Arvind Gupta DAV Centenary Public School Model Town performed a song and dance sequence in Blue and white costume.

West Zone Cultural Centre Udaipur performed the Garba.

Vinay Nagar Bengali Senior Secondary School presented their song and dance and followed by Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya Janakpuri, Delhi.

Daredevil Bike Riders

CRPF Bike riders led by Inspector Seema Nag; Formation led by Head Constable Seema Katke; Human Pyramid

FlyPast

Three Trishul ALH Tri-Services helicopters led Group Captain Abhishek Shukla.

Three Chinook heavy-duty multi-utility helicopters flew by in ‘Victory’ formation.

Five Apache attack Helicopters came next in V formation, led by Group Captain Mannat Shailu

Next came three Dornier aircraft in Victory formation.

Three domineering C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft flew next in Hercules formation.

One Netra ‘ Eye in the Sky’ AEWS aircraft followed it, escorted by two SU-30 MKI fighters.

Next to fly were three C-17 Globemaster strategic airlift aircraft in Victory formation.

Five screaming Deep-Penetration Jaguar fighters in Arrow Head formation were next.

Then came five recently upgraded MiG-29 UPG Fulcrum fighters.

People loved the three SU-30 MKI in Trishul formation in low-height.

The show-stealer was the sole low-flying SU-30 MKI performing a Vertical Charlie before disappearing into the blue sky.

Closing Ceremony

PBG arrives to escort President Kovind and President Bolsonaro back to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Thousands of Tri-colour Balloons fill the sky in national glory.