First time in Republic Day parade 2023
The 74th Republic Day Parade begins at 10:30 AM from Vijay Chowk and head towards Lal Quila. The Parade ceremony commence with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial. He lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the brave hearts by laying a wreath. After that, the national flag unfurled followed by the national anthem with a 21-gun salute using 105-mm Indian Field Guns.
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The parade this year is to be extra special with many first-time events scheduled. As the participants prepare to showcase India’s growing prowess and cultural diversity during the parade on the Kartavya path (formerly known as Rajpath).
There are various events held for the first time in Republic day parade 2023:
- For the first time in India’s independent history, the iconic 21-GUns Salute to the President during the parade will use 105 mm Indian Field Guns replacing the British-made 25-Pounder guns. This year, only Made-in-India weapon systems, showcased at the Republic Day parade, keeping with the theme of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
- For the first time, 12 women riders are participate of the Camel Contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) and among the 16 marching contingents from the armed forces, Central Para Military Forces, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps (NCC), NSS along with 19 military pipes and drums bands in the Republic Day parade this year.
- A team of “Daredevils” motor cycle riders from Corps of Signals co-led by a woman officer is the part of the parade. Lieutenant Dimple Bhati from the Corps of Signals, part of the Indian Army’s Daredevils motorcycle team at the Republic Day parade this year. The women officer had been training with the team for the last one year.
- The newly-recruited Agniveers also be a part of the parade for the first time.
- In a first, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) will display a tableau during the Republic Day parade. ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’, and a group of people standing in front of it, wearing different costumes of India and holding their arms out, with a banner placed below bearing a line Together We Can Do It,.
- Marching down the Kartavya Path for the first time, the combined Band and Marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces, led by Colonel Mahmoud Mohamed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawy. The contingent consist of 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
- The Indian Navy’s IL-38, showcased during the parade for the first and last time, IL-38 has served Indian Navy for 42 years.
- The biggest drone show in India, comprising 3,500 indigenous drones, light up the evening sky over the Raisina hills during Beating the Retreat ceremony on January 29th.
- For the first time, a 3-D anamorphic projection, organised during the Beating the Retreat Ceremony on the facade of the North and South Block.
- Garud Special Forces of the Indian Air Force are participating for the first time in the Republic Day parade. Squadron Leader Pritam Singh Jaitawat leading the Garud team as part of the IAF contingent.