Republic Day Parade: Of glinting guns, heads held high, and fire in the belly at Kartavya Path

January brings to Delhi one of the most pleasant weathers otherwise known for ranging the vicissitudes from the scorching hot to the biting cold. The January winter sun shines bright and warm, the air is crisp and clean. And if the day is Sunday, all the more better. It works in the superlative when it is the Republic Day too—the day India adopted its Constitution and declared itself a Republic, exactly 75 years ago.

It is a day that India announces to the world a military-socio-political-economic narrative of where it stands, with a display of its military might, showcasing of its war equipment and arsenal, and a strong social, economic and political messaging.

Already the world’s most populous nation with more than 17 per cent of humanity most of whom are young, figuring among the top five powerful militaries of the world, with the fastest growing economy in the world that is aiming to be a $5 trillion one this year itself, those fine men and women in magnificent uniforms marching down Kartavya Path on Sunday, would have more reason to hold their heads high and chests swelling in pride other than the military one.

It is in the growth trajectory that the country has embarked on.

The parade saw a wide-ranging display of a range of weapons systems. Battle tanks like the sturdy T-90 ‘Bhishma’, Pinaka rocket system, the lethal NAG anti-tank guided missile, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Agnibaan multi-barrel rocket launcher, the Akash weapon system all made their appearance which has become a regular one in the parade.

The standout and interesting display was the ‘tri-services’ tableau themed “Sashakt aur Surakshit Bharat” (Strong and Secure India). With the ongoing effort at integration, jointness and theaterisation of the armed forces in the backdrop of ‘atmanirbharta’ or self-reliance, the tableau underlined the latest line of thought in the Indian military establishment. The tableau depicted a coordinated battlefield scenario comprising elements of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The assets and platforms in the tableau included the home-made Arjun battle tank, Tejas fighter aircraft, and advanced light helicopters.

Besides marching contingents from the many regiments of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Air Force, there were paramilitaries like the Central Reserve Police Force, Assam Rifles that put their best foot forward.