President Murmu’s buggy, first tri-services tableau: 4 highlights of the Republic Day parade

1. President Droupadi Murmu arrives successful buggy

The President of India and her Indonesian counterpart were escorted by the President’s Bodyguard, the seniormost Regiment of the Indian Army, astatine the opening of the time successful a accepted buggy. Between 1984 and 2024, the President’s achromatic limousines were utilized for the movement. But successful 2024, Murmu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived successful a achromatic accepted buggy.

President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi seen adjacent the buggy. (Express photograph by Amit Mehra)

According to a PTI report, the gold-plated, horse-drawn buggy is simply a achromatic carriage with the nationalist emblem embossed connected it successful gold. It had been utilized for Republic Day functions till 1984 but was discontinued aft the assassination of the then-prime curate Indira Gandhi.

2. Tableaux connected Kumbh Mela, civilization and nature

Every year, a fewer states (as good arsenic authorities departments and ministries) are selected to display their taste practice and scenery done tableaux. Though galore much taxable the applications, the Ministry of Defence is tasked with giving the last support to a prime few.

This year’s tableaux included 1 connected the ongoing Kumbh Mela (by Uttar Pradesh), showing sadhus and samudra manthan – the fable of the churning of the water that is believed to person resulted successful amrit (elixir of immortality). Madhya Pradesh had cheetahs, representing the revival task for the large cats, situated successful the state’s Kuno wildlife sanctuary. The taxable of Andhra Pradesh’s tableau was ‘Etikoppaka Bommalu,’ featuring eco-friendly woody toys.

Madhya Pradesh tableau, showing cheetahs. (Express photograph by Amit Mehra)

3. First Tri-services tableau

For the archetypal time, a Tri-services tableau was displayed with the taxable ‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’ (strong and unafraid India). It showed a Joint Operations Room facilitating networking and connection among the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

First tri-service tableau. (Express photograph by Amit Mehra)

A PIB merchandise said its battlefield scenario, demonstrating a synchronised cognition successful land, h2o and air, featured the “indigenous Arjun Main Battle Tank, Tejas MKII combatant aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, destroyer INS Visakhapatnam & a Remotely Piloted Aircraft, reflecting the Tri-services synergy successful multi-domain operations.”

4. First Indonesian contingent

Some Republic Day parades diagnostic overseas contingents, usually from the main guest’s country. This signifier started successful 2016 erstwhile French President François Hollande was invited.

The Indonesian contingent marching connected Kartavya Path astatine this year’s parade. (Express photograph by Amit Mehra)

A 76-member contingent of the French Army’s 35th Infantry Regiment, 1 of the oldest regiments successful France, marched down Kartavya Path. Forty-eight members of ‘The Music of the Infantry’, a ceremonial set based successful Lyon successful France, played 2 subject tunes astatine the parade, PTI reported then.

This twelvemonth marked the archetypal clip an Indonesian contingent participated successful the parade, with a 352-member marching and set contingent.