India is all set to celebrate the 68th Republic Day on the 26th January, 2017. It is the day when the Constitution of India was officially enforced as the governing document of India. The Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act, 1935 in 1950. Every year, the Republic Day parade is held in Rajpath in Delhi where the air-force, army, navy along with the paramilitary forces and the different states of India showcase their talent as well as the rich cultural heritage of the nation.
The programmes will commence from 9 am on January 26, 2017.
While as per norms, the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will hoist the Tiranga (The National Flag) and take the salute, the chief guest on Republic Day of India, 2017 will be Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Highlights of 2017
Every year, the ancient traditions and heritage of the Indian states as well as the modern warfare techniques displayed during the Republic Day Parade leave the spectators enthralled and awestruck. This year will be no different but the following will be the highlights of the Republic Day Parade, 2017.
- Rajpath will be decorated with rows of potted plants of Date Palm in honour of the chief guest as date is the national fruit of the UAE.
- A team of 140 commandos of the NSG (National Security Guard) will showcase their brilliant skills during the parade.
- Their performance will include their own anthem — “Hain Na Hai Na Hum Hindustan, Hum Rang Rang Hain, Phir Bhi Sang Hain” written by Gulzar.
- There will be performances by the anti-sabotage, anti-hijack teams as well as Combat free-fallers, CBRNE team (an advanced terror fighting force of commandos wearing radiation protective suit for protection from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terror threats or attack), and deep divers (can kill enemies under water).
- The new NSG vehicle Sherpa, the bullet-proof armoured anti-hijacking vehicle that can resist powerful explosions and go under water, will be displayed at the parade.
This year, 17 states and six ministries of the Central government will participate in the Republic Day Parade. They will give theme-based performances based on socio-cultural importance or any event or person that has led to the social-cultural or economic development of the nation.
The 17 states set to perform are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and West Bengal.
The six ministries of the Central government which are set to display in tableau are the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the Ministry of Skill Development. The following are the featured tableaux:
- Arunachal Pradesh will depict the Yak Dance peculiar to the Mahayana sect of Buddhist tribes. As per legend, a yak had solved the problems of a family and the dance is symbolic of health, wealth and happiness of the Mahayana Buddhist tribes.
- Assam, this year, will portray the famous Kamakhya shrine of Guwahati. Kamakhya temple is the shrine for Goddess Shakti and pilgrims from world over visit this shrine especially during the Ambubasi fair, which is considered as a holy period.
- Delhi will portray the recent upgradation of the government schools into Model Schools through initiatives taken for quality enhancement.
- Goa will showcase the musical heritage of the region.
- Gujarat will focus on the rich heritage of art and lifestyle of Kutch, PIB states.
- Haryana will follow the “Save the girl child theme” with the slogan ‘Beti bachao, Beti padhao’ (Save daughters, educate daughters) and the tableau will focus on the initiative by the government to eradicate female infanticide and encourage literacy amongst girls.
- Himachal Pradesh will showcase Chamba Rumal, a unique specimen of Pahari art flourishing in Chamba town during the 18th century.
- Jammu and Kashmir will take out a tableau depicting the tradition and evolving winter sports at Gulmarg.
- Karnataka tableau will represent the folk dances of the state in the form of Goravas, worshippers of Shiva, engaged in the ritualistic dance.
- Lakshadweep aims to attract prospective tourists with its tableau advertising the ideas of ‘nature tourism’ and ‘adventure sports’.
- Maharashtra celebrates the 160th birth anniversary of Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak, freedom fighter and a social reformer, this year. The tableau will pay tribute to this great personality.
- Manipur will focus on the ancient theatre tradition of Manipur, Lai Haraoba.
- Odisha’s tableau will depict the Bhakti culture tradition of ‘Dola jatra’, a festival that signifies the journey of Radha and Krishna for ‘ultimate union’.
- Punjab tableau is based on the theme ‘Jago’, a festival of dance celebrated the night before a Punjabi wedding.
- Tamil Nadu will showcase a popular folk dance form called the ‘Karakattam’ where dancers dance to drum beats with brass pots and a wooden parrot balanced on the heads.
- Tripura, one of the 8 sisters of North Eastern India will feature ‘Hojagiri’ a Reang Tribal Dance in its tableau. The dancers, comprising of young women and girls, balance earthen pots on the heads while dancing.
- West Bengal, will bring the experience of Durga Puja, also known as ‘Sharod Utsav’ through its tableau.
It is time to rejoice in the cultural heritage as well as development of our nation. Do not miss out on the Republic Day Parade. Happy Republic Day!
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