![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
The Indian Navy’s tableau at this year’s Republic Day Parade will present a blend of India’s ancient maritime heritage, contemporary naval capabilities, and the growing role of women in the force, officials said on Tuesday.
Built around the theme “Anchored in Tradition, Sailing into Self-Reliance and Innovation,” the tableau will feature a model of the fifth-century stitched-sail vessel, now christened INSV Kaundinya, alongside representations of the Navy’s most advanced indigenous warships.
The Navy’s marching contingent will comprise 144 young sailors, with an average age of 25, reflecting what officials described as a “youthful and forward-looking” maritime force. The contingent will be led by Lt Karan Nagyal, with Lt Pawan Kumar Gandi, Lt Priti Kumari, and Lt Varun Dreveriya serving as Platoon Commanders. The personnel have been drawn from across states and Union Territories, representing a cross-section of the country.
The tableau will showcase scale models of the INSV Kaundinya, which recently completed its maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, and a Maratha-era Gurab vessel. Modern platforms on display will include the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Project 17A stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, and a Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine.
Vice Admiral Praveen Nair, Controller Personnel Services (CPS), said the tableau is intended to highlight more than just naval strength. “The Indian Navy’s participation reflects its resolve to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests and its commitment to Atmanirbharta (self-reliance),” he said.
The tableau will also highlight Mahila Sashaktikaran (women’s empowerment) by depicting the circumnavigation route undertaken by the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II crew – Lt Cdr Dilna and Lt Cdr Roopa – aboard INSV Tarini. Additionally, young girls from the Sea Cadets Corps will take part in the parade after a nearly 4-decade gap, having last participated in the 1980s.
Defence Ministry spokesperson Vijay Kumar said that Republic Day Parade press previews have begun with the Navy and will continue over the coming days for all three Services and other participating departments. He described the parade as “a national endeavour” that reflects joint planning, inter-service coordination, and operational readiness.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
