New Delhi: As the leaders of all 10 Asean countries joined President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 69th Republic Day celebrations in Delhi, the highlight was the dominant theme being Gandhi and Buddhism among the 23 colourful tableaux which rolled down the Rajpath.
Out of 23, two portrayed historical, civilisational, and religious links as the binding force between India and southeast nation’s.
One of the tableaux depicted the Nalanda University, a world-renowned centre for learning and Buddhist studies in ancient times. The second tableaux portrayed the Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.
States registering their presence this year were Hi-machal Pradesh, Uttarakh-and, Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kar-nataka, Gujarat, Chhatisg-arh, Kerala, Punjab and Manipur.
Among the ministries were external Affairs, tribal affairs, youth affairs and sports. The income-tax department showcased its anti-black money drive launched post demonetisation.
While Himachal Pradesh’s tableau showed status of Buddha in meditation along with some stupas and the monks resting, Madhya Pradesh’s tableau also had an underlying theme of Buddhism, showcasing Buddha sitting in meditation under the Boddhi Tree with four of his disciples.
The Gujarat tableau depicted Gandhi weaving on his wooden spinning wheel and ashram inmates busy in daily activities. It also showed Gandhi’s ‘three monkeys’ and various other things or places that were an integral part of Gandhi’s life.
Similarly, for the first time, the All-India Radio showcased its tableau depicting a historic event when Mahatma Gandhi made his maiden and only broadcast through the public broadcast in the wake of post-partition communal riots.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy’s tableau showcased the theme “Indian Navy — Combat Ready Force for National Security”.
The force also showcased its Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant, which will be commissioned in 2020, while the DRDO exhibited the “Nirbhay” missile and the Ashwini radar system.
The Indian Air Force tableau, led by three women officers, was themed “Indi-an Air Force Encouraging Indigenisation”, which displayed models of the Tejas multi-role fighter aircraft, Rudra Helicopter, Arudhra Radar and the Akash missile system.
