Republic Day 2024: President, Chief Guest Arrive For R-Day Parade On Buggy, First Time After 1984
President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the Chief Guest arrived on the Kartavya Path for 75th Republic Day celebrations in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years.
As India celebrated the 75th Republic Day on Friday, a tradition that was associated with the official ceremony was also revived.
President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the Chief Guest arrived on the Kartavya Path for 75th Republic Day celebrations in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years.
President Droupadi Murmu along with President of France @EmmanuelMacron, leave for #KartavyaPath ahead of the #RepublicDay Celebrations#75thRepublicDay #RepublicDay2024 pic.twitter.com/yPSBhGrg38
¡ª PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2024
Presidents escorted by President's Bodyguard
The presidents were escorted by the President's Bodyguard ¨C "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak". The President's Bodyguard is the senior most regiment of the Indian Army.
The Commandant of the President's Bodyguard Colonel Amit Berwal, rode to the right of the President's Buggy, leading this elite body of horsemen. To the left of the President's Buggy is the Second-in-Command of the Regiment Lt Col Ramakant Yadav.
VIDEO | President Droupadi Murmu, along with chief guest French President Emmanuel Macron are set to arrive at the Kartavya Path, where Republic Day parade will be held shortly. #RepublicDay2024 #RepublicDayIndia pic.twitter.com/GgLxufT8ax
¡ª Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 26, 2024
Buggy used on Republic Day after 40 years
The horse-drawn buggy was used by the Viceroy before the Independence and later became a part of the President of India's cavalcade for the Republic Day celebrations.
The buggy was in use for Republic Day celebrations till 1984, but the horse-driven cart was discontinued in favour of a limousines, following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
In 2016, the then President Pranab Mukherjee had used it for the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony.
BCCL/FILE
President Murmu leads Republic Day celebration
On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu led the Nation in celebrating the 75th Republic Day as she unfurled the national flag at Kartavya Path in the national capital and the parade began with ¡®Aavaahan¡¯, a band performance by over 100 women artists playing various types of percussion instruments, symbolising Nari Shakti, a new element added to the customary march.
BCCL
Traditional instruments at Republic Day parade
For the first time ever, the parade was heralded by over 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments. The parade commenced with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc. played by these women artists.
Kartavya Path also witnessed a march past by a combined Band and Marching contingent of the French Armed Forces. A 30-member band contingent headed by Captain Khourda, which was followed by a 90-member marching contingent, led by Captain Noel.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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