India celebrated its 74th Republic Day on 26th January 2023. The republic day events and parade were held at the newly-renovated and renamed Kartavya Path(previously known as Rajpath) in New Delhi, Delhi.
The Republic day of India marks and celebrates the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950.
- President of India, Droupadi Murmu, led her maiden Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path and unfurled the national flag.
- The flag hoist was followed by a rendition of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute.
Note:
For the first time, the 21-gun salute was presented with “Made in India” 105 mm field guns replacing the seven vintage Quick Fire 25-pounder guns which have been used since Independence.
Chief Guest of the 74th Republic Day:
President of India, Droupadi Murmu, was accompanied by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El –Sisi at the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El –Sisi is the chief guest of the 74th Republic Day.
Background:
i.India became a free and independent nation on 15th August 1947.
ii.The nation declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950.
iii.The Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India, thus turning the nation into a republic separate from British Raj.
Highlights of 74th Republic Day:
President awarded Tatrakshak Medals to six Indian Coast Guard personnel:
On the occasion of Republic Day 2023, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, awarded the President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) and Tatrakshak Medal (TM) to 6 Indian Coast Guard(ICG) Personnel for their act of conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion to duty and distinguished and meritorious service.
- These awards are annually presented to the personnel of the Indian Coast Guard on the occasion of Republic Day and Independence Day since 26th January 1990.
| Award | Recipient |
|---|---|
| President’s Tatrakshak Medal (Distinguished Service) | Inspector General (IG) Anand Prakash Badola, TM (0248-M) |
| Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry) | Comdt(Commandant) Durgesh Chandra Tiwari (0645-P) |
| Rishi, P/Nvk(R), 12196-T | |
| Mohit Kumar Yadav, U/Nvk (RP), 13830-M | |
| Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service) | Deputy Inspector General (DIG) HimanshuNautiyal (0298-C) |
| Sant Lal, P/Adh(RO), 01566-P |
Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards, 2022:
President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards – 2022 on 43 people.
The Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards, 2022 includes, Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to 7, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak to 8, and Jeevan Raksha Padak to 28 persons.
- 4 of the 43 recipients were awarded posthumously.
About Jeevan Raksha Padak:
Jeevan Raksha Padak’s series of awards are given to a person for meritorious acts of human nature in saving the life of a person.
The award is presented in 3 categories:
- Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak – for conspicuous courage in saving a life under circumstances of very great danger to the life of the rescuer.
- Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak – for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of great danger to the life of the rescuer.
- Jeevan Raksha Padak – for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of grave bodily injury to the rescuer.
Decoration:
i.The award is presented in the form of a medallion and a certificate signed by the Union Home Minister.
ii.The award also includes a monetary allowance:
- Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak – Rs 2 lakh
- Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak – Rs 1.5 lakh
- Jeevan Raksha Padak – Rs 1 lakh
President Approves 412 Gallantry Awards for Defence personnel:
i.On the eve of 74th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved 412 gallantry awards and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel.
- The 412 gallantry awards include, 6 Kirti Chakras, including 4 posthumous and 15 Shaurya Chakras, including 2 posthumous. The gallantry awards also include one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 92 Sena Medals, including four posthumous, one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), seven Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals.
Click here for the complete list of recipients of gallantry and other defence decorations
ii.Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved 62 Mentioned in Despatches to Armed Forces personnel.
- These include 55 Chief of Army Staff Recommendations. These are 27 for Operation Rakshak, 13 for Operation Snow Leopard, 2 for Operation Orchid, 6 for Operation Rhino, 1 for Operation Nongkee, 1 for Operation CAS EVAC, 1 for Operation Rescue, 1 for Operation WASO and 3 for Misc (Operation). It also includes 7 Chief of Air Staff Recommendations.
President’s Medals to Fire Service, Home Guards (HG) and Civil Defence (CD) personnel
President’s Medal for Gallantry and President’s Medal for Distinguished Services as well as Gallantry Medal and Meritorious Services Medals are annually awarded to the personnel of the Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards on Republic Day and Independence Day.
Click here for the complete list of recipients
- On the occasion of 74th Republic Day, 47 personnel have been awarded Fire Service Medals among which Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to 2 personnel for their act of valour and gallantry.
- President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded to 7 personnel and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service is awarded to 38 personnel for their respective distinguished and meritorious records of services.
- 55 personnel were awarded Home Guard & Civil Defence Medals, among these Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry was awarded to 1 personnel for his act of valour and gallantry.
- President’s Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service and Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service are awarded to 9 personnel and 45 personnel respectively.
Highlights of the 74th Republic Day Parade:
i.The Republic Day parade showcases the strength, culture and diversity of India.
ii.The Republic Day parade was led by Parade Commander Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, followed by the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees.
- 61st Cavalry led the Indian contingents, the only active serving horsed cavalry in the world.
iii.In a display of women’s empowerment, the marching contingents of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy were both led by women officers for the first time. While Lt. Commander Disha Amrith led the Navy’s 144 sailors, Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy headed 144 air warriors and four officers of the IAF.
iv.The Navy’s contingent included 3 women and 6 men Agniveers, participants of the new Agnipath scheme for short-term recruitment to the armed forces.
v.The Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) presented an all-women marching contingent, led by Assistant Commandant Poonam Gupta and the Delhi Police presented an all-women pipe band comprising 35 women constables. The marching contingent was led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Shweta K. Sugathan.
Tableau at Republic Day 2023:
On the occasion of the 74th Republic Day, a total of 23 tableaus – 17 from States and Union Territories, and 6 from Central Ministries and Departments, showcasing the rich cultural heritage, economic progress and strong and in internal and external security, participated in the parade on the Kartavya Path.
- Central Ministries/Departments: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare(MoA&FW), Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Home Affairs – Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs – Central Public Works Department (CPWD), and Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA)
- States and UTs: Andhra Pradesh; Arunachal Pradesh; Assam; UT of Dadar Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu; Gujarat; Haryana; UT of Jammu & Kashmir; Jharkhand; Karnataka; Kerala; UT of Ladakh; Maharashtra; Tamil Naidu; Tripura; Uttar Pradesh; Uttarakhand; and West Bengal
