The 75th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path will focus on women's empowerment with themes "Viksit Bharat" and "Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka," highlighting India's role as a mother of democracy.
As we are approaching towards the 75th Republic Day, the air is filled with patriotism and the nation's journey toward unity in diversity. Republic Day celebrates more than just the adoption of our Constitution as it also serves as a symbol of the solidarity that unites us as a people. In recent years, there has been a significant and inspiring shift in the focus on women's inclusion in Republic Day celebrations.
Republic Day traditionally showcases armed forces and cultural diversity, but now recognizes women's contributions in various fields, acknowledging their role in the nation's progress. Women are rewriting the history of our country in a variety of fields, including the armed forces, science, the arts, and governance. Republic Day provides a platform for showcasing these accomplishments.
The tableaus on Rajpath, India's cultural heritage, showcase the resilience and achievements of women in various respective fields. They highlight the inclusive and progressive ethos of India, celebrating women's strength and achievements on Republic Day. Here are some of the significant tableaus to be paraded by women.
Women-led Tableaux to Parade on R-Day
Two all-women contingents, comprised of women soldiers including Army, Navy, and Air Force and Nurses of military nursing services led by female doctors, will participate in the 2024 Republic Day parade, promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in Indian Defence forces.
The contingent of female soldiers will have 144 members where 60 officials will be from the Army and the remaining from the Air Force and Navy, stated a Defence Official. Women from the Air Force and Navy who are Agniveer soldiers will be part of this contingent.
Nurses from the military nursing services, led by female doctors, will make up the second contingent from the Directorate General of the Armed Forces Medical Services.
The Indian Air Force plans to induct around 3,500 Agniveer Vayu soldiers into its contingent for the Republic Day parade, marking a significant step towards gender equality and women's empowerment. The Agniveer scheme, introduced in September 2022, is a new HR initiative for the Indian Armed Forces, aiming to induct women into the Air Force at Other Ranks, improve military ethos, and enhance battle preparedness.
Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil of the Indian Air Force (IAF), who will march in the Republic Day Parade this year, said that being a part of the national event is an honor and a privilege. She hopes that young girls will be inspired to join the defense forces by this national event.
The parade will feature motorcycle contingents, bands, and all-women marching contingents, all displayed by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). These CAPFs will each have 144 members in their marching contingents and 72 in their band teams. Before various Indian Air Force (IAF) assets in the sky take center stage, the combined daredevil bikers team, made up of women personnel from CAPFs such as the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), will ride 350 CC Royal Enfield Bullets through the parade route.
Women officers will lead the Indian Coast Guard contingent in the Republic Day parade, promoting gender inclusivity in the country's armed forces. Assistant Commandant Priya, who is proud to be leading the Indian Coast Guard contingent, stated that the parade provides a national forum for showcasing the power and ability of women in the armed forces.
States and ISRO Women Scientists to be a Part
For the first time, 100 female musicians playing Indian musical instruments will lead the parade. Women artists would open the parade with music from Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, and other genres.
During the parade, a total of 25 tableaux, 16 states, UTs, and nine Ministries and Departments, will roll down the Kartavya Path. Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana are among the states and union territories whose tableaus will be featured on Republic Day where women will showcase their states rich culture and heritage.
Eight female scientists who have contributed to the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) success in landing on the moon will be in the tableau along with the accomplishments of the space agency. 212 additional female scientists from the space agency will be present at the parade. The Navy's "unwavering" dedication to "Nari Shakti" will also be displayed in the parade's naval tableau, which will primarily highlight women in all roles and at all levels.
