Republic Day 2023: Nari Shakti Gets A New Face At The Parade!

On the 26th of January, the Kartavya Path brimmed with patriotism and energy with myriads of performances by various skilled officers of the Indian Army as they showcased their mastery in stunts at the parade. As the parade progressed with sheer zest and zeal leaving a trail of marvellous, jaw-dropping performances by the soldiers and officers, there were several female officers who took charge of different stunts at the parade.

As the theme set by the Union Government for Republic Day 2023 was Nari Shakti, a prominent parade highlight was the all-women Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) marching contingent while President Draupadi Murmu took the salutes.

Not only this, there were many first times witnessed at this colourful parade as the Kartavya Path bloomed with smiling faces of women officers taking a plunge on the ground with their mind-blowing energies and poise reflected in their acts.

Republic Day 2023 Parade Highlights

From the camel contingent presented by the Border Security Force (BSF) we witnessed for the first time women riders who rode decorated camels.

Some prominent women officers like Lieutenant Chetana Sharma lead the made-in-India Akash surface-to-air missile system at the parade, while Lieutenant Dimple Bhati from the Corps of Signals opted to be a part of the Indian Army’s Daredevils motorcycle team.

A women’s contingent of the CRPF was one of the highlights of the parade. The CRPF marching contingents were led by Poonam Gupta. The force has the distinction of raising the first ever women-armed police battalion in the world.

Additionally, in its historic record, the Delhi Police’s pipe band also comprised of women constables led by Assistant Commissioner of Police and IPS officer Shweta K Sugathan.

On the part of the Indian Navy’s contingent led by Lieutenant Commander Disha Amrith, a woman naval air operations official this year, there were 144 sailors who marched past the audience and government officials.

Followed by them was the tableau that represented Nari Shakti through audacious statue of a woman officer saluting. The tableau also in a way paid homage to all the women working selflessly for the nation.

The parade was then followed by 23 tableaux— 17 from the states and union territories and 6 from various ministries and departments. Through the mesmerising statuettes and effigies, the themes were beautifully and creatively brought out to showcase the vast and rich culture of the nation alongside the developmental aspect that is taking place internally and externally.

Among these, there were some states which chose their central theme as Nari Shakti and women empowerment through their tableaux. These states were: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Tripura. It was indeed pleasing to see an entire parade embellished under the theme of Nari Shakti giving it a new face this Republic Day!

Suggested Reading: Republic Day 2023: Remembering Forgotten Female Minds Behind Indian Constitution