Republic Day Parade: How India's Largest Paramilitary Force Will Represent Nari Shakti

In 2015, India witnessed 25-year-old Captain Divya Ajith lead the first all-women contingent at the Republic Day Parade; the last seven years have been incredible for women in the forces ever since with respect to inclusion at parades. While there's still a long pathway to reach the level of equal representation, Indian women in the forces have had an impeccable run.

As India celebrates its 74th Republic Day, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is gearing up to bring women to the forefront by including an all-women marching band and contingent under its theme of women power.

According to the recent announcement by the CRPF officials, this upcoming Republic Day parade in the capital will have an all-women personnel march and band contingent at the Kartavya Path (also called the Rajpath earlier). The contingent has been inducted as part of its central theme of women empowerment this year.

Suggested reading: Women Power at Republic Day Parade

Republic Day Parade 2023

The CRPF is the nation's largest paramilitary force and includes around 3.25 lakh personnel in its ranks. Under its 2023 theme of women empowerment, the CRPF is all set to include personnel from all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) as well, as per the report.

The CAPFs include Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) which all have women personnel in their ranks respectively.

According to the latest update leading to Republic Day, women officers in the Indian Air Force are all set to take centre stage. The officers will not just be leading the contingent but also assisting the President in unfurling the Indian national flag.

Nari Shakti

This year, the Central government proposed three themes for Republic Day honourary revelry including Nari Shakti, International Year of Millets and India@75.

Sources confirmed that 'Nari Shakti' was selected as the overall theme unanimously, and soon after, the CRPF got to work designing the plan for Republic Day Parade 2023 accordingly.

India's Republic Day Parade is a major event not just for the country but for the world at large because it showcases the land's military prowess like no other. The parade strides down the Kartavya Path, marching from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to Red Fort, crossing India Gate every year as part of its set route.