As India gears up to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of its constitution on January 26, Republic Day preparations are in full swing.
Republic Day Chief Guest, Kartavya Path parade, ticket bookings, timings, tableau displays and more—Your Complete Guide for Republic Day 2024
As India gears up to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of its constitution on January 26, Republic Day preparations are in full swing.
The importance of this day lies in honouring the Indian Constitution and paying tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the Independence struggle.
The theme for Republic Day 2024 in India revolves around "India – Mother of Democracy" and "Viksit Bharat" (developed India).
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has been invited as the chief guest for this year's Republic Day celebrations. This marks the sixth time a French leader will be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in the national capital.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on January 26, and it will be broadcast live on news channels and radio stations. The total duration of the Republic Day parade is expected to be around three hours.
Online Ticket Purchase:
1. Visit the Ministry of Defence's official website.
2. Log in or create an account for verification.
3. Select the desired event from the drop-down menu (options include FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, or Beating the Retreat).
4. Provide attendee information for each ticket, including name, gender, age, address, and photo ID proof.
5. Choose the ticket category and specify the number of tickets needed.
6. Complete the payment using various methods, such as debit/credit cards, net banking, UPI, or wallet.
7. Receive a confirmation email and SMS containing your booking details and a QR code.
8. Download and print your e-ticket, and bring it along with your original photo ID on the event day.
Offline Ticket Purchase:
1. Offline ticket sales for the Republic Day Parade are available on weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 2 pm at various counters around Delhi.
2. At the counter, provide a photocopy and your original photo ID (Aadhar card, PAN card, voter ID card, passport, or driving licence are acceptable).
3. Ticket options include reserved seats for INR 500, unreserved seats for INR 100, and unreserved seats with restricted views for INR 20.
A total of 25 tableaux, known as 'jhankiyan,' will be showcased in the Republic Day parade, representing 16 states and Union Territories, along with nine Ministries and Departments. The participating states and UTs include Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana.
Tableaux, in the context of Republic Day, refers to a collection of models or motionless figures representing scenes from stories or history. During the Republic Day parade, states, different departments, and ministries utilise these tableaux to showcase their achievements, whether in cutting-edge technology and instruments or in the realm of history and culture.
Lt. Colonel Deepika Rathore was one of the first two women to march at Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in 2013, representing the Army Ordnance Corps. She participated after successfully scaling Mount Everest in 2012 as a Major.
This year, two all-women contingents from the defence forces are set to participate in the Republic Day parade. The first contingent will include female Agniveer soldiers from the Navy and Air Force. The second contingent, from the Directorate General of the Armed Forces Medical Services, will include nurses from the military nursing services, led by female doctors.
Kartavya Path, formerly known as Rajpath, is chosen as the site for Republic Day celebrations due to its historical significance in India's independence struggle. This path, extending from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, holds a special place as it commemorates the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I.
The 1.8-kilometer stretch symbolises India's journey from colonial rule to becoming a sovereign democratic republic. It was renamed Kartavya Path from Rajpath in September 2022.