Happy Republic Day 2010

The 61st Republic Day Parade of the Year 2010 had the honour of me sitting amongst the audience. Yes, let me rephrase it, this year I happen to witness the parade live at Rajpath, while me sitting with my friends at the neatly organised chairs in India Gate Lawns.

To begin with the Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India act 1935 as the governing document of India on January 26, 1950. The date January 26 was chosen to honour the memory of the declaration of independence to India in 1930. 

The day is one of the three national holidays, while the Republic Day Parade takes place at the Rajpath, New Delhi this year in presence of the President Smt Pratibha Patil, Chief Guest Korean President Lee Myung-bak and the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The invitation to Korean ministers reflects upon strengthening bilateral relations. State capitals also have their state celebrations on the day, where the governor of the states unfurls the National Flag. 

The revelry of republic day for me started a day before. Due to security reasons buildings at Barakhamba Road where I happen to work and Kasturba Gandhi Road had to be vacated by afternoon of January 25. So me and my friend had a strolling time on the streets of Connaught Place. Which of course came after a long time, and I have decided to make such strolls a regular part of my life. This was also an auspicious day when I got my VIP passes for the parade. 

Coming back to the R-day, we expected the day to be bright and sunny but to our surprise, we got on a foggy morning, we stepped out of house at 8 am, while we could barely see clearly at the distance of 20 meters. As we were not suppose to carry mobile phone, cameras, bags, such day came to me after a long long time. We finally made up to the venue on time, and were seated at a better location, something that was practically (not actually) opposite India's first woman's arcade. 

Prior to the commencement of the parade, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti a memorial of martyred unknown soldiers at India Gate. Then he reaches his dias and hoists Indian flag as the National Anthem is played. A 21 gun salute is also paid to the spirit of nation-hood, this was amazing and enough to scare off a two year old child sitting in the front row. 

What followed was commemoration of significant awards Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra given by the president. Ashok Chakra was awarded to Halvindar Rajesh Kumar of 11 Rajputana Rifles, Manoj Mohit Sahrma (posthumous) and Major D. Sreeram Kumar. Sub inspector Bhopal Singh of the Sashastra Seema Bal and Constable Rel Deo Sangam of Meghalaya police were conferred Kirti Chakra. Two officials of the Border Roads Organisation were amongst Shaurya Chakra awardese. Due to fog, I could not see the award commemoration ceremony, but could hear the update clearly of a loud speaker. 

By then we started to realise that a similar seating arrangement is been made opposite us, and towards the left of it was a decorated arcade, for the delegates and top officials. The parade started with men riding horse, which was amazingly synchronised. Each battalion had strikingly balanced marching skills, made us clap while they pass in front of us, on Rajpath. Clapping was also meant to keep ourselves warm on that foggy day. One of the battalion had three army personnel walking in the front, they held a long equipment with a spherical top while marching. Its worth mentioning their precision and synchronisation of throwing the equipment in the air, at certain height the equipment rolled and came back to the marcher's hand. It left us all amazed and applauding!

Following marches by the military personnel was beautiful display of decorated boogies from a military, missiles, few states, ministries. The ones that left visionary mark on me were Bunkers, Multiple Missile Delivery Equipment, Agni Missile, Shaurya Missile, ICT System, Radar Communication System of Indian Army. The boogies of Jaipur, International Film Festival of India, Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 where legendary sports persons like PT Usha and Milkha Singh were standing up at the boggy and waving at us, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, were strikingly done. Dance performance by school children was not visible to us, but the music got me foot tapping enough to give a feel of it. Tricolour balloons and flags were released in the sky from each direction, which exclaimed India celebrates its republic status. 

The aircraft show finally offered a hooting zeal leaving the viewers all the more mesmerised. By the end, we walked up towards the grill to get the booklets which were being distributed, but could not find any of the distributors.At last the President, Korean Head, PM waved bye to the by standers. While walking towards the exit, my cousin wanted to hold the rifle and requested the guard to let him hold it, but the guard politely refused, and had a chat with with him for sometime. While he was chatting up with the army guard, I happen to get the booklet from a child, who happily gave me the booklet. 

All in all, the parade is worth witnessing. I feel proud that I happen to go to Rajpath on the R-day, and glorify myself with being able to associate with the display world's third largest military power's credentials. It instigated the feeling of being Indian in me :)

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who was involved in the course of getting passes and getting up on time, reaching at the venue on time, and being able to stick to it in a foggy serpentine day! My sister had fever, she did not disclose as she did not want to miss the parade, the display of art and science of synchonised theme. The efforts were unquestioningly worth it! Happy Republic Day 2010 to all Indians~~

PS: For those who don't know that India holds the National parade only for the Republic Day on January 26. And on the Independence Day (August 15) we have the PM delivering speech at Red Fort, and innumerable kites flying on Indian skies, symbolising India's independence!