Today is 74th Republic Day. President Droupadi Murmu will unfurl the tricolour on the Kartavya Path. Along with this, the programme of Republic Day parade and presentation of tableaux will start from 10:30 am.
On Thursday morning before the parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the countrymen a happy Republic Day. He said that he wishes that together the people of India will fulfill the dreams of freedom fighters. On this Republic Day, the President of Egypt, ie Egypt, Abdel Fattah el Sisi is the Chief Guest. 23 tableaux of states, departments and armed forces will be taken out in the parade.
In a first Made in India cannons will give salute
There is a tradition of giving a 21-gun salute during the national anthem on Republic Day. Till now these salutes were fired from 25-pounder cannons made in Britain, which were also used during the Second World War. Now they will be replaced by 105MM Indian Field Gun made in India. These cannons were made in the gun factories of Jabalpur and Kanpur.
These were designed in 1972 and have been in service since 1984. Major General Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, said that 105MM guns are made in the country, so we want to salute them. It is a matter of pride for us and that is why we will use indigenous cannon.
Woman power in BSF’s camel troop
For the first time, women officers have been included in the camel contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Republic Day. The Surface to Air Missile System Akash contingent will be commanded by Lieutenant Chetna Sharma. These will include 3 members of the Army and one each of the Airforce and Navy.
Lt Chetna said that his dream has come true. Chetna is posted in the Army Air Defense Unit. Apart from Lt Chetna, Lieutenant Dimple Bhati will be part of the Army’s daredevils motorcycle team. She said that for this she has been training for the last one year.
IAF Garud commandos, experts in air-field operations
The Special Garuda Commando Force of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also be seen in the parade. The training of this special force formed in 2004 lasts for a maximum of 72 weeks. At present there are 1,780 commandos in this force. They are experts in anti-terror operations and air-field defence.
They are adept in operating all types of modern weapons. During the terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase on January 2, 2016, the front was handled by the Garud commandos. 2 soldiers were martyred in this attack.
Winged stallion will be seen for first and last time in the flight past
44 aircraft including 9 Rafales will take part in the flight past. Apart from these, C-17, C-130, Sukhoi-30 will also participate in the fly past. They will fly in Netra, Bajrang, Vertical Charlie, Dhawaj, Rudra, Baj, Prachanda, Tiranga, Tangail, Garuda, Amrit and Trishul formations.
The special thing is that Navy’s Illusion IL-38 will be included in the parade for the first and last time. The Surveillance and Anti-Submarine Aircraft was inducted into the Navy in 1977. It will be decommissioned later this year after 42 years of service. It is also called winged stallion.
Display of indigenous weapons only, Agniveer will also take part in the parade
Only Made in India i.e. indigenous weapons will be displayed in the parade. Even the ammunition will be indigenous. Major General Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff of Delhi Area, said that under the self-reliant India, the army will demonstrate many indigenous equipment.
The parade will include K-9 Vajra Howitzers, MBT Arjun, Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile, BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile, Akash Air Defense Missile and Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles. Major General Bhavnish Kumar said that we are turning towards Swadeshi. The time is not far when all our equipment will be indigenous.
Tableau of Narcotics Bureau for the first time, Canine members Limbu and Jelly will be seen
The tableau of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) will be seen in the parade for the first time. No drugs will be its message. Apart from the NCB members, two members of their dog squad will also be present in this tableau. The names of these dogs of the canine squad are Limbu and Jelly. He has played a role in getting drug consignments caught in many operations.
The message of drug free India will be written on the tableau. Also its members will appear with various costumes of India. Through this he will give the message that together we can fulfill the dream of drug free India.
Country’s biggest drone show in Beating the Retreat Ceremony
Beating the Retreat Ceremony, which has been going on for 300 years, is to be held on January 29. This time there will be the country’s biggest drone show in this ceremony. It will include 3,200 drones and will fly over Raisina Hills in the evening. They will present the important events of the country. The drone show will last for 10 minutes.
In 2022, 1,000 drones took part in the Beating the Retreat ceremony. Beating the Retreat ceremony originated in Britain in the 17th century. It came to India in 1952.
The RJD on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his unfulfilled promise to revive sugar mills in Bihar and wondered whether the Prime Minister has given up on his promise because of diabetes.
RJD MP Misa Bharti humorously remarked on PM Modi’s unfulfilled commitment to enjoy tea sweetened with sugar from Bihar’s sugar mills, which have remained inactive for many years.
Bharti, the eldest daughter of RJD leader Lalu Prasad, asserted that the sugar industry in Bihar has not been revived so far and questioned whether Modi had abandoned his promise due to diabetes.
“The PM is enjoying his third consecutive term in office and has not fulfilled any of the promises he made before ascending to power,” she stated, emphasising her disappointment as a resident of Bihar who recalls Modi’s grand declarations about revitalizing the state’s sugar mills.
She sarcastically asked, “Why did he not fulfill his own promise? Has he developed diabetes?”
Responding to media inquiries, Bharti also dismissed the concept of “One nation one poll” as a “shigoofa” (gimmick) from the Modi government, arguing that they struggle to conduct elections in four states simultaneously, let alone nationwide.
Her comment referenced the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand occurring after recent elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.
Affiliated with the INDIA coalition, Bharti expressed confidence in the alliance’s success in upcoming Assembly elections and by-polls. Additionally, she condemned derogatory comments made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant against a candidate from Eknath Shinde’s faction, asserting that “no offensive remarks should be made about a woman, even if she is a rival.”
Furthermore, she criticised inflammatory statements from Union Minister Giriraj Singh during the Hindu Swabhiman Yatra, saying it is “appalling” that a Union Minister could incite violence without facing repercussions.
Bharti also raised concerns about the BJP’s silence regarding a new political outfit formed by former Union Minister RCP Singh, who had transitioned to the BJP after being ousted from Nitish Kumar’s JD(U).
She took issue with Prashant Kishor, the Jan Suraaj founder, for making commitments that he never asked BJP and Nitish Kumar to fulfill while he was managing their campaign.
India on Saturday condemned the recent allegations made by the Canadian government against Amit Shah that he was purportedly involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, calling it absurd and baseless.
Addressing a press conference, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India had summoned the Canadian High Commissioner yesterday to protest in the strongest terms for the references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison.
On Tuesday, Morrison claimed that Shah orchestrated a campaign of violence, intimidation, and intelligence-gathering aimed at Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. He informed members of Canada’s national security committee in Parliament that he had confirmed Shah’s name to The Washington Post, which was the first to report the allegations. However, Morrison did not provide details on how Canada became aware of Shah’s alleged involvement.
Jaiswal said the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view that the government of India has long held about the current Canadian government’s political agenda and behavioural pattern.
“Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,” said the MEA.
On the reports of a cancelled Diwali celebration, Jaiswal said, “We have seen some reports in this regard. It is unfortunate that the prevailing atmosphere in Canada has reached high levels of intolerance and extremism.”
He also spoke on the reduction in the number of Visas by the Canadian government and said the ministry has been monitoring the well-being of Indian students and professionals who are working in Canada. “Our concern for their safety and security remains strong,” he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs said some of its Consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian government that they have been and continue to be under audio and video surveillance as well as their communications have also been intercepted. “We have formally protested to the Canadian Government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions,” the Ministry said.
By citing technicalities, the Canadian government cannot justify the fact that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation, Jaiswal said, adding that India’s diplomatic and consular personnel have already been functioning in an environment of extremism and violence.
He said such action of the Canadian government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices.
Regarding the sanction of 19 Indian companies, Jaiswal noted that India has a robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade and non-proliferation controls.
India is also a member of three key multilateral non-proliferation export control regimes – the Vasinar Arrangement, the Australia Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime, and has been effectively implementing relevant UNSC sanctions and UNSC Resolution 1540 on non-proliferation, he added.
“Our understanding is that the sanction, transactions and companies are not in violation of Indian laws. Nevertheless, in keeping with India’s established non-proliferation credentials, we are working with all the relevant Indian departments and agencies to sensitize Indian companies on applicable export control provisions and also inform them of new measures being implemented that could impact Indian companies in certain circumstances,” the MEA said.
Regarding deportations from the United States, Jaiswal noted, “We have a consistent dialogue with the United States concerning migration and mobility, aimed at establishing more avenues for legal migration. As part of our ongoing consular arrangements, we have facilitated the movement of individuals who are residing in the United States illegally. This collaboration has been in effect for some time, and we anticipate that through our engagement with the United States on mobility and migration, we can work to deter illegal immigration.”
Hemant Soren urges PM Modi to clear Jharkhand’s Rs 1.36 lakh crore coal dues
“I would also appeal to my BJP colleagues, especially the MPs, to help Jharkhandis in getting our dues,” Soren posted on X, sharing a copy of a letter to the Prime Minister.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to clear Rs 1.36 lakh crore coal dues to the state.
PM Modi and Shah are scheduled to visit poll-bound Jharkhand. The Prime Minister will address two rallies on November 4 while Shah will address three public meetings on November 3.
In a post on X, Soren said, “The PM and the home minister are coming to Jharkhand. I once again request them with folded hands to clear the outstanding (coal dues) of Rs 1.36 lakh crore to Jharkhandis. This amount is crucial for Jharkhand.” Soren also appealed to BJP MPs to facilitate clearance of the amount.
Soren stressed that the outstanding payments owed by central public sector undertakings, particularly Coal India, are legitimate entitlements of Jharkhand and argued that “the delay in payment is causing irreparable harm to the state’s development.”
“I would also appeal to my BJP colleagues, especially the MPs, to help Jharkhandis in getting our dues,” Soren posted on X, sharing a copy of a letter to the Prime Minister.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, he stated, “I, Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, would like to bring to your attention a grave issue that is obstructing the development of our state. Our dues from coal companies amount to Rs 1.36 lakh crore.”
He added that, despite legal provisions and judicial verdicts, coal companies have failed to make any payments. “These issues have been raised at various forums, including your esteemed office, the Finance Ministry, and NITI Aayog, yet the compensation of Rs 1.36 lakh crore remains unpaid,” Soren mentioned.
A recent decision by a nine-judge Supreme Court bench reaffirmed the state’s right to collect its mining and royalty dues. Soren pointed out that the non-payment of these dues is hindering vital socio-economic projects in Jharkhand, which is already an under-developed state.
“Numerous socio-economic development projects are being stalled due to the non-payment of our legitimate claims,” he noted.
Last month, he proposed a direct debit arrangement from Coal India’s account to the state, similar to what was established for the Jharkhand State Electricity Board’s dues to the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).
“This continued delay in addressing our rightful demands has compelled me to reach out to you, as this negligence inflicts irreparable damage on Jharkhand and its people. Many social sector initiatives in education, health, women’s and child development, clean drinking water, and last-mile connectivity cannot be implemented due to insufficient funding,” Soren asserted.
He previously accused the central government of being indifferent to the challenges faced by the state, drawing attention to the unequal treatment regarding outstanding dues. The Jharkhand Assembly elections are set to take place in two phases on November 13 and 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.
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