Republic Day Parade A Great Unifier But Reduce Useless Ministry’s Tableau And Restore More State’s Tableaus
Rajiv Upadhyay 
I woke up at 4-30 am (local time) and watched the full Republic Day’s Parade today in London . Even at the age of 74 it gives me goose bumps and I feel as excited as I first saw it from a cane sugar juice cart at the age of ten near India Gate and subsequently from VIP stands as senior government servant for many years including the evening tea at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Beating Retreat ceremony . I can certainly say that Indians not only in India but all over the world are greatly filled by patriotic feelings and pride as they watch the parade . It is one of the great modern festivals that unites the entire nation .
Colourful soldiers marching in uniforms , camel mounted BSF , earlier Elephants parade, now discontinued, all build up the atmosphere but pride comes from new weapons planes and achievements etc displayed in Parade showcasing India’s scientific progress . The tableaus at the end are a sheer delight along with motor cycle riders and roaring jets on top.
But over the years some good decisions got taken including reducing the time of parade . But some of the decisions are political and do not promote national unity as much . Promoting Police over Army is utterly unacceptable to public . In no nation police is glorified over army . Also Defence Secretary is at best a gate crasher but cannot be ahead of any chief .Similarly the increasing number of individual ministries who have nothing new or great to show are a waste like Banking service , education , Delhi state tableau , women welfare ministry etc . These have been added by cutting the number of State tableaus . Tableaus of States had a function . The associated the people of far off states joined with rest of the nation in display of their state tableau.. A UPI tableau serves no purpose in spite of its being a brilliant success of the country. ISRO /RAILWAYS/ ROADS / DRDO are the natural success stories of the decade while Education & Economy and over taxation are our biggest failures . Why display our failure like displaying so many transport aircrafts while our Airforce is now not in a position to defeat Pakistan even due to depletion of our fighter fleet.
Old Buggy ride for president displayed nations newly found confidence in handling law and order on Republic Day . The police needs to be commended for this great success .
In all I was saddened earlier by an MP asking about the cost of parade . I was reminded of Oscar Wilde definition of a cynic who knows price of every thing but value of nothing !
Let me reassure the organisers that the majestic Republic Day Parade is worth every rupee spent on it and nothing fills Indians with more pride than just watching it !
