” Happy Republic Day, January 26, 2020 ” – January 2020.

          I am fortunate to have witnessed two Republic Day Parades ( also Beating Retreat ) in Delhi, one in 1976, and the other in 1977, during my Defence tenure.

PM, Indira Gandhi with French, PM, Jacques Chirac. 1976.

Republic day, 1976.

For momentous occasions of this nature, it is said with pride, that anyone who gets to witness one in life may be likened to seeing them all in life. I felt extremely happy then.

          In recent years I made it a practice to see the events of the Republic Day Parade on TV without fail. It makes me wonder how the celebrations have turned into a great spectacle exhibiting our innovative military arsenals combined with our innovative methods of displaying cultural heritage – the two key elements and characteristics of the nation. It seems to belie/alter the old saying…