The Firsts This Republic Day: 10 Chief Guests, All-Women BSF Contingent, Indian-ASEAN Tableau Among Others

New Delhi, Jan 26: The 69th Republic Day celebrations showcased many firsts, including the attendance of 10 chief guests, instead of the customary one, performance by an all-women contingent of the BSF, display of Indian-ASEAN tableau featuring artists of all member nations, and the first-ever tableau by All India Radio featuring 'Mann Ki Baat' - the monthly radio show hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

10 Chief Guests:

- Tens heads of ASEAN or the South East Association of Asian Nations were invited as chief guests this year by the Modi government -- a stark contradiction to the past practice of inviting only one chief foreign dignitary.

- The measure is seen as a diplomatic gesture by the Centre to boost its 'Act East' policy. While addressing the Indian-ASEAN commemorative session on Thursday, the Prime Minister said "ASEAN is at the Centre" of his Act East policy.

All-Women BSF Contingent

- Seema Bhavani, the all-women BSF bikers' contingent, performed for the first time at the Rajpath.

- The female contingent comprised of 113 bikers who rode the 350 cc Royal Enfield. The highest number of participants, 20, were from Punjab, followed by 13 from West Bengal.

- The contingent was set-up in 2014, with BSF Director General KK Sharma being credited as its brainchild.

Indian-ASEAN tableau

- The tableau depicted the Hindu epic of Ramayana, performed by the team comprising artists of all ASEAN members.

- Along with the tableau, the ASEAN was flown in the sky over Rajpath for the first time. The flag was be carried by the Mi-17 V5 helicopter.

AIR tableau featuring Mann Ki Baat

- The first-ever tableau of the All India Radio featured Mann Ki Baat, the monthly radio show of PM Modi which was launched in 2014. Till date, a total of 39 episodes have been aired by the state-broadcaster, earning a total revenue of Rs 10 crores.

- The aim of the tableau was to highlight the success of Mann Ki Baat, and "popularise the radio show in the remotest parts of the nation", the public broadcasting agency Prasar Bharti said.

What else?

- A camel contingent of the BSF was part of the parade for the first time, along with columns of the 61st cavalry with 51 horses.

- An Income Tax Department tableau was on display, featuring the special anti-black money drive launched after the demonetisation drive.

To add to the military's display of power this year, the Defence Development and Research Organization exhibited the indigenously developed ‘Nirbhay’ missile and the Ashwini radar system. The Indian Navy presented the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Vikrant, which is expected to be commissioned into service by 2020.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2018 10:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).