JOIN USFloats focus on Modi's ambitious plans
While the 66th Republic Day parade won’t break its mould, even though the President of the United States of America Barack Obama is the chief guest this year, it most definitely will be drenched in the colours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much publicised campaigns.
From Make in India campaign to Jan Dhan Yojana and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao andolan, this year’s parade boasts of Modi’s ambitious plans for the next five years. Interestingly though, the Swachh Bharat Campaign is missing from this impressive list.
Sixteen states and nine Union Ministries and departments will be showcasing the tableau this year. Delhi, surprisingly, is not a part of the parade. The newly-formed state Telangana will be a surprise, while Uttar Pradesh, which struggled to maintain a secular state of affairs in the state last year, will be featuring Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah. On the other hand, remaining states will highlight the cultural heritage and diversity.
Karnataka will showcase the first tableau. The Channapatna toys that have found a pride of place in England’s Royal Palace, US White House and Sri Lankan PM’s residence, will be the focus. “We are asking the PMO to allow us to gift these toys to Obama,” says N R Vishukumar, director, Department of Information and Public Relations.
Channapatna, on the outskirts of Bangalore is known for colourful toys and dolls as well as lacquerware. It was during the reign of Tipu Sultan the cottage industry got a fillip as he bought artisans from Persia to train local craftsmen.
“We want to see these toys help in learning. Therefore, in the tableaux, we have put a miniature of abacus besides displaying the traditional toys which you can find in every house of Karnataka,” says Vishukumar.
The newly formed 29th state, Telengana, participating in the parade for the first time, has a team of 26 artistes, who will perform their unique ‘Bonalu’, which is the state festival. ‘Bonam’is the meal offered to Mother Goddess. Women prepare rice cooked with milk, jaggery in earthen pots adorned with neem leaves, turmeric and vermillion. They keep a lighted diya on top of the pot.
Uttar Pradesh’s theme this year is the last Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah and Kathak. On the front side of the tableau, will be seated Wajid Ali Shah in all his royal splendour languidly watching the dancers performing Kathak. Ironically, the state that remained in the news for communal riots in Muzzaffarnagar and Saharanpur last year, will be seen endorsing ‘secularism’ and amity.
“We know the poor condition of our state but we cannot enact that in the parade. But at the end we get money for our performance, which makes us feel happy,” says one of the male Kathak dancers in the troupe.
The Ministry of Panchyati Raj tableau will se participation of real Panchayat members from states like Chhattisgarh and Assam. The Department of Financial Service will highlight the Jan Dhan Yojana through which more than 10 crore people have opened their bank accounts. Kalicharan Singh, who will be part of the tableau says, “I have opened my account through this yojna. People in my locality are very excited to see me in the parade.”