Republic Day: Then and Now

Republic Day holds a special meaning to Indians. For many, it's the day their country became a sovereign nation. For some, it means being glued in front of the TV and watching the parade in action on Doordarshan. Then there are those, who look at it as just another holiday to sleep in till late and cure that hangover. This Republic Day, we present you the inside story of two people who've had the esteemed opportunity to participate in the Republic Day parade. The twist? The experiences are 30 years apart. 

The Story Then

The year was 1971, girls being selected and sent for Republic Day Parade was uncommon in fact unheard of. Enter Mrs Radha Jamwal Talwar, Senior Under Officer for the National Cadet Corps (NCC) contingent from Jammu and Kashmir, all set for marching the roads leading to India Gate.

The crème de la crème of NCC cadets were carefully selected to be sent for training camps in Jammu, perfecting the impeccable march and preparing cultural programmes for the beating retreat ceremony. "It was indeed a matter of honour to not only represent the state but also be one of the four girls in a platoon of 20 to head to New Delhi." she proudly shares.

 

The days leading to the parade were spent in training at the NCC camps near the Rashtrapati Bhavan. She mentions how charged up the atmosphere was around the camp. Music to the tune of Vande Mataram, folk dances and getting to know people from all over the country was an experience she would never forget.

On the day of the parade, 26^th January, 1971, she led the NCC platoon from Jammu and Kashmir. Unnerving as it was then, her voice over the phone is filled with pride recounting how the crowds cheered the ladies on at Rajpath. After crossing the India Gate, all girls were taken in a one ton army vehicle and dropped near the Red Fort (boys had to march the whole route!). In the evening, dressed smartly in sari’s and NCC blazers they had high tea with the then President V.V. Giri. Group pictures were shot and her happiness knew no bounds when she also won the Best Cadet Award!

Ask her if she would like to do this again and before I can even complete the sentence, the answer is an ecstatic YES.

All I have to say is, I'm so proud of you Mom. Happy Republic Day to all!

The Story Now

Talking to Major Shashi Kant Kaushik is having a conversation with an ardent reader, a concerned fellow citizen and a passionate army man. He was part of the 8 Sikh Light Infantry’s marching contingent on Rajpath in 2001. Here's what he has to say.

What does Republic Day mean to you?

Everything that Rabindranath Tagore says in his poem: Where the mind is without fear and where the head is held high…

Please share your experience of participating in the Republic Day parade. It is a dream for an army man to walk on Rajpath in uniform with a sword in his hand. The sound of the heels of the army boots going tak tak tak just overwhelms you with pride. Oh, what a feeling it is!

Competition is a way of life and the Republic Day parade is no different. 6-8 army regiments participate in it every year, each comprising 144 jawans and looking to win the Best Marching Contingent Award. Short-listing happens about a year in advance and suitable candidates are hand-picked keeping in mind that they reflect the same bearing, character and integrity of the regiment. You will be surprised to hear that everyone has to be of the same height! The grueling practice begins in May and June and continues till the R-Day. One must remember that the parade is an extremely serious affair for a fauji as you are representing your regiment at the national level.

What is the most memorable experience from participating in the parade? There are three, actually. One was to salute the Supreme Commander, the President of India. The second would be the emotional moment I experienced when paying my respects to the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. Thirdly and most importantly, observing the national anthem of our country.

Do you think the value of Republic Day is recognized by the youth today? No, not at all. This is a controversial statement I am making, but many youngsters today don’t even know the difference between 15^th August and 26^th January! In fact, these days have become marketing gimmicks for brands to sell their products. I see so many Indian flags that people carelessly buy for a day, being trampled upon. I really hope that we all paused for a moment to understand and respect the sacrifice of all those before us, so that they could give us our today.

Two perspectives from two different generations. Get inspired, celebrate your country with pride this Republic Day.

Jai Hind.

Interviews by Saba Shaikh and Swati Talwar