Republic Day 2023: President Draupadi Murmu on Thursday inaugurated the 74th Republic Day celebrations for the first time after assuming office last year by unfurling the national flag on the way of duty. The grand parade began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the National War Memorial. On this occasion, PM Modi arrived in multicolored Rajasthani turban, which is a symbol of India’s diversity. Dressed in a white kurta-pyjama, the PM completed his look with a black coat and white stole. A multi-coloured turban with a long tail was the standout in the black and white outfit.
On the other hand, President Draupadi Murmu chose Odisha silk with pink temple border for the Republic Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the President on his arrival on the path of duty. The National Flag was unfurled by Air Force Officer Flight Lieutenant Komal Rani on the way of duty. Simultaneously the national anthem was played and the President was given a 21-gun salute.
President Murmu was earlier escorted from his residence by the President’s bodyguards to his Bay and Dark Mountains. The President’s Bodyguard is the most senior regiment of the Indian Army.
This year’s Republic Day is special as the ‘President’s Bodyguard’ was established in Varanasi in 1773. The Commandant of the President’s Bodyguard, Colonel Anup Tiwari, rode on the right side of the President’s car, leading this distinguished body of horsemen, mounted on his Charger Glorious.
The chief guest at this year’s parade is the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. In particular, India and Egypt have had strong defense ties. There was close cooperation between the air forces, with efforts to jointly develop a fighter aircraft in the 1960s. IAF pilots also trained Egyptian pilots from 1960 to 1984.