New Delhi, January 12
From depicting the ‘Lakshya’ to teaching the ‘importance of water’, from the land of sacrifices to the mesmerising land of colourful dances, school children will lead the audiences at the Republic Day parade through a multitude of emotions as they present a panorama of delight.
Nearly 2,500 school children in the national Capital will participate in the Republic Day parade this year, showcasing the composite Indian culture and values.
The Republic Day celebrations this year promises to be a riot of colour and energy. “This year the Republic Day parade will be an innovative mix of students from various schools—government, government-aided and public, who will present the various facets of Indian culture”, said Mr Mahabali Satpal, the Deputy Director of Sports and Physical Education, Delhi Government.
Besides the cultural events, the children, selected from 26 schools, will also take part in the march past and band performances, he said.
Preparations for the children’s events started more than two months ago and they have been rehearsing on Rajpath since January 2, he added.
A part of the Republic Day celebrations for the last eight years, Mr Satpal said, “it was a different sort of feeling.” “It is a feeling of great pride and happiness for us and the children as the performances comes from the heart,” he said.
Cultural items at this year’s parade will demonstrate the bravery of the Indian soldier, traditional rhythmic dance and martial art forms of Kerala, besides a special presentation on the significance of water.
Besides the children from Delhi, hundreds of students from other parts of the country will also participate in the parade, each showcasing the unique culture of their region.
These children have been divided into different zones—south, east, south-central, north-central and north-eastern cultural zones, Mr Satpal said.
Archana, a class six student of St. Andrews Scots Senior Secondary School in the Capital, who rehearsed at Rajpath today, was visibly excited about being part of the parade and especially perform before President A. P. J. Abdul
Kalam, who is known for his fondness for children and youth.
Most of the children, who are first-time performer at the Republic Day celebrations, said it was a “great honour” and a “dream come true” to be chosen for the parade.
They said the excitement helped them to practice without feeling tired and also face the cold. The children’s cultural events are supervised by an expert committee, which oversee various aspects of the preparations, Mr Satpal informed.
