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by
George J Thaliath
 January 26
marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution in 1950 and
is celebrated as India's Republic Day all over the country. India
earned its independence from the British on August 15, 1947, but the
British army left India ultimately in 1950 after wrapping up their 150 odd
years of rule over the country. Until its independence in 1947, other
countries which neighbor India today; Pakistan, Bangladesh (formerly East
Pakistan), Myanmar (formerly Burma) and distant places like Aden in
present day Yemen; were all parts of British India and were all considered
as India. Until then (including the British era) India was never one
single country but a collection of kingdoms and authorities with no sense
of unity. In this sense India as one single country is mainly a result of
British rule. Before that the word India was not used to indicate the
present day India, but any kingdom, culture or community that existed
between present day Afghanistan, in the west, up to China and Myanmar in
the east. 
A national
day of great importance, Republic Day is celebrated traditionally with the
hoisting of the national flag followed by parade by the armed forces
and school children all over the country. The most impressive parade
is in New Delhi, Capital city of India. Though I have been in New Delhi since 2001, I had not
been able to view the parade. I see it every year on TV, so do I really
want to brave the early morning winter chill to see the real thing? For
Delhites, it is only barricaded roads, banned parking and the masses
marching to the raucous drumbeat of patriotism. But the opportunity for me
was great to miss. This year I decided to witness the parade at any cost,
escaping from the stinginess of the small screen and feeling and breathing
the Parade on fabled Rajpath.
I started
from my home early morning with my brother in law and reached India Gate
at 8.30 am after walking about two kilometers due to heavy traffic
restrictions. We had to undergo many security checkings. Spectators were
not allowed to carry anything, not even a pen. With the help of entry
passes from Ministry of Defence we got a seat not far from the saluting
base, where Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, President of India, military top brass
and chief guest Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were
seated. The parade route centers on the Rajpath, or King's Way, a
broad avenue starting from the Presidential residence, the handsome red
sandstone palace, called Rashtrapati Bhavan, stands on a low hill flanked
by government buildings of the same masonry. Below are more government
buildings lining a lovely grassy mall that stretches to the India Gate War
Memorial. Along the mall are large reflecting pools, but they are covered
over on January 26, and many rows of wooden bleachers placed on them.
These seats are some of the best places to view the parade. On the lawn in
front of one of the bleachers are chairs for special guests, including the
president, who sits under a gold umbrella as passing military and naval
units salute. Around and behind the president, family groups jam the
stands, and the green lawns are covered with mats and rugs to sit
upon.
The first
item in the agenda was laying wreath at the 'Amar Javan Jyoti' in the
India Gate, commemorating all the military people who sacrificed their
lives for the country, by A B Vajpeyee, Prime Minister of India. The Army
band played 'Last Post' amidst 21-gun salute. The National Anthem of India
'Janaganamana' followed (Please note the background music playing). The
magnificent procession started at exactly 10 am., which moved down from
the Rashtrapati Bhavan through Rajpath, past the India Gate and on to
Connaught Place, heart of the city on to historic Red Fort. Every
road and every window of the buildings facing the route was crowded with
spectators.
The parade
was piloted by Major General Thomas Mathew and the front line of the
parade were the Defence personnel in open jeeps, who have excelled in
their job and selected to be awarded on the occasion. The President
presented the nation's highest peacetime gallantry awards- the Ashok
Chakra- posthumously to Paratrooper Sanjog Chhetri and Lt. Triveni Singh,
both for action in Jammu Kashmir. Twenty officers had been awarded the
Param Vasisht Seva Medal. They were followed by march past and band
by various regiments of Army, Navy and Air Force.  Soldiers and sailors marched in
perfect rank. The most colourful show was presented by Camel mounted
band, only one of its kind in the world, from the state of Rajastan (see
photo). The humped animals walking in perfect rhythm. Riders sit straight
and tall and rein in the camels so sharply that their muzzles point into
the air. Boys and girls in scouting uniforms kept time behind lively
bands. Student Cadets of National Cadets Corps (NCC) from all over the
country who excelled in parade were selected for the main parade at New
Delhi. In fact, it is considered to be a matter of immense pride if one is
selected for the New Delhi parade.
Army tanks,
missiles, radars etc. were followed showing India's military strength. The
world witnessed first display of India's principal nuclear weapon delivery
vehicle, the Agni-II intermediate range ballistic missile. It was New
Delhi's first official declaration that this 2500 km range missile has
been inducted into the Army. " The accuracy, reach and awesome
destructive capability of the Agni missile make it an
investment in deterrence during peace and victory during war" the
commentator Rini Khanna announced. The shorter range Agni-I which can
deliver a nuclear payload at a target 700 km away was also
displayed.
The cultural
pageant presented a glimpse of the some of the significant signposts of
Indian civilization and culture along with nation's plans for development
and progress. I was trilled to note that the cultural pageant was lead by
the presentation from Kerala, our home state at the southern end of India.
The tableau of Kerala presented Theyyam, which is the most important
ritualistic performing art of Northern Kerala, which is performed annually
coinciding with the harvest and the temple festivals. Its costumes with
rich and sharp colours combined with the powerful look of ornamental face
and movements in rhythm with the frenzy music of Chenda and Chengila makes
it an enchanting experience.
  
Sun had
slipped out of the cloudy sky and the day turned bright with blue sky. An
array of colourful tableaux from various states of the country depicted an
impressive display of social, cultural, economic and technological facets
of India. The cave paintings of Ajanta, Bastar Rath on Dussehra, Amir
Khusro, Folk Toys of Assam, Rock-cut Temple of Masrur, Hornbill Festival,
Aryabhatta, Kalidasa, Rath Yatra of Puri etc. were among the themes
presented by various states. (photos above, left: Float of Ministry of Law
depicting model of Supreme Court- right: Tableau from Orissa- Rath Yathra
of Puri)
Another
important happening on the occasion of Republic Day is the Bravery
Awards being given to children. The young braves were given a
ceremonious ride on gaily decorated elephants and then awarded by the
Prime Minister. 26 children were honoured this year including 3
posthumous. I found 4 children from Kerala also in the list. One
interesting scene was a number of NDMC workers in uniform with buckets,
mops etc. did a good job keeping the parade route clean of droppings of
the animals in the parade.
 The cultural pageant of school children was heralded by a band of
girls playing 'Kargil Ke Veer' and followed by Flag March, Gaddi Dance,
Raee Dance, Koya Dance, Dulduli Dance etc. About 200 Children from Dimapur
in their naga tribal costumes presented a wonderful Herie Lim Dance of
spring festivals. Not less than 50 students from Kerala Society School,
Vikaspuri Delhi presented traditional art forms of Kerala viz.
'Kathakali', 'Mohiniyattam' and 'Kalaripayat'. 
Daredevilry human pyramids on motorbikes
were the next show. (see photo right) It was performed by Jaanbaz- world
record holding Motorcycle Display Team of BSF. Their last item was a joint
performance by 9 bikes and 37 men showing a giant poster 'Indian Army-Unto
Death We Fight'.
 The Parade came to a grand finale with magnificent Fly Past as
attack helicopters came together in the arrowhead formation and Rajpath
witnessed air-to-air refueling for the first time. The show by 'Surya
Kiran' team of 5 fighter planes of Air Force was amazing (see photo).
Suddenly 3 Sukhoi fighters came flashing from west. The middle one just
stopped in midair and disappeared rolling sidewise while the other two
flew away. Hundreds of green, saffron and white balloons were released to
the blue sky while the President returned to Rashtrapati Bhavan
accompanied by about one hundred elegant, red-coated, horse mounted
ceremonial bodyguards wearing turbans of gold cloth.
Page
designed by George J Thaliath, New Delhi, India
on 26 January
2004
 
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