Republic Day 2024: French Contingent, New-Gen Vehicles, IAF Fly-Past — Top Attractions On Jan 26

Major General Sumit Mehta said on Tuesday that for the first time, an all-women tri-services group will participate in the Republic Day Parade, including women troops from the Army’s military police as well as women from the other two services, news agency ANI reported.

“Two of the three living Param Vir Chakra awardees including Hony Captain Yogendra Yadav and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar would be taking part in the Republic Day parade,” he stated.

Top Points

1. The 75th Republic Day procession at Kartavya Path will focus on women, with the major themes being ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’.

2. “Republic Day parade to start from 10:30 am on January 26 from Vijay Chowk to Kartavya Path. The parade commander would be Delhi Area Commander Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar. For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent will take part in the parade which will include women troops of the Army’s military police along with women from the other two services,” Major General Sumit Mehta was quoted as saying by ANI in its report.

3. Major General Mehta also stated that the French contingent, which includes Indian and Nepali personnel, will march in the parade. A French refuelling plane and two French Rafale fighter jets will pass over them. “A variety of new generation vehicles including Terrain Vehicles, Light Specialist Vehicles, and Special Mobility Vehicles would be taking part. The ALH Dhruv Rudra and LCH Prachand will be taking part in the flypast. The Indian Air Force flypast will include 51 planes including fighters, helicopters and transport aircraft. This will have 15 women in the planes,” he said.

4. The primary attractions will be the Aahvan ceremony, which will involve the blowing of Shankhs (conch shells). French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations. This is the sixth time a French president has been invited as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebration, and the French contingent has participated in the march twice.

5. This year, women’s involvement is particularly high. This year’s procession will also include around 13,000 Special Guests. The goal is to give individuals from all walks of life the chance to participate in the national holiday, which is consistent with the government’s vision of Jan Bhagidari.