New Delhi: The Navy’s tableau for the Republic Day parade this year will be a tribute to the triple commissioning of a frigate, destroyer and submarine that took place in Mumbai on 15 January. The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, assumed significance since it was the first time three indigenously-built frontline combatants–INS Nilgiri, INS Surat and INS Vagsheer–were commissioned on the same day.
The Navy will be the only force with an individual tableau in the parade. A need was felt for an individual tableau to represent India’s naval prowess since the Army will display its weapon systems while the Air Force will conduct a flyby over Kartavya Path.
The Navy’s tableau will symbolise the need for a “strong Navy for a strong nation”. Depicting India as a maritime country, it will simulate a middle-of-the-ocean scenario, also signifying that India and its Navy takes centrestage in the Indian Ocean Region.
The tableau will be commanded by Lt Cdr Mamta Sihag and Lt Vipul Singh Gehlot.
Speaking at the parade preview Tuesday, Lt Cdr Saahil Ahluwalia said, “With such an honourable responsibility, India’s multi-dimensional assets stand firmly committed to safeguarding India’s maritime interests anywhere, anytime and pave the path for India’s growth, glory and prosperity.”
The marching contingent of men and women accompanying the tableau will be led by Lt Cdr Ahluwalia, and the platoons by Lt Cdr Indresh Chaudhary, Lt Cdr Kajal Bharavi and Lt Davinder Kumar. Furthermore, the naval band will comprise 80 musicians led by M. Antony Raj, and for will for the first time include six women musicians.
Controller of Personnel Services (CPS), Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty said, “The tableau you are seeing today is a perspective from the Indian Ocean. This is one such perspective which we don’t usually see. This is a perspective of India from the sea. It is this that is the new truth.”
Quoting what Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated as recently as last September, Vice Admiral McCarty said, “We were once known as a landlocked country with seashores but now we can be seen as an island country.” He added that an “atmanirbhar” Navy will play a key role towards realising the government’s “Viksit Bharat” objective.
The naval contingent participating this time will consist of 144 young personnel who will march on Kartavya Path. The contingent is a representation of a “mini-India” with sailors from 17 states and Union Territories. The average age of the troop is 25.
These personnel have been handpicked from all branches of the Navy and have undergone specialised training for over two months to face the rigours of the event.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)