Government To Organise All-Women Parade At Republic Day 2024: Big Win For Nari Shakti

The government of India has decided to organise the Republic Day 2024 parade with only women participating in the activities on the Kartavya Path. The parade will have all-women marching and band contingents, tableaux, and other performances. This is the first time the Indian government has taken such a decision.

The Defence Ministry has informed other ministries such as Home Affairs, Culture, and Urban Development about this decision.

However, this has raised questions within the military as it's unclear how infantry and armoured regiments of the army will be able to have all-women marching contingents as both divisions don’t have women as officers or in ranks.

All Women Parade At Republic Day 2024

This decision was made at the debrief session in February for the Republic Day Parade 2023. The session was chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, and members of the Ministry of Defence, services, and other ministries were in attendance.

In recent times, the defence forces and paramilitary have opened their doors to women contingent commanders and deputy commanders in line. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive to promote "Nari Shakti" women's participation in all possible roles in the military. Since then, women have been deployed in combat roles and given command opportunities.

Women officers have been part of the Republic Day parade, and they’ve led contingents in the past. Women Agniveers undergoing training were part of the naval contingent for the first time in 2023. The services don’t have women in soldier ranks, and there are only a small number of women military police in the army. The decision of the Navy to induct women Agniveers widens the scope for women officers.

This is a huge step forward for women, not just those in service but for young women who are aspiring to serve the nation. Many women could have high dreams of smashing stereotypes and braving the battlefield. As the restrictions and limitations are struck down one after the other, more women will be encouraged and empowered to make their dreams come true.

Patriotic movies featuring female leads give us goosebumps and fill our hearts with pride, despite knowing that they are fiction. Watching patriotic movies, reading patriotic novels, etc. would have inspired many of us to serve the nation. The fact that we are very close to seeing an entire Republic Day parade only with women officers would definitely be a real-life inspiring and empowering moment. It’ll motivate aspiring women to pursue a career in defence because of the power and responsibilities that they are bestowed with.

Suggested Reading: About 50 Women Army Personnel To Head Command Units In Operational Areas