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Ram Nath Kovind and Narendra Modi with the President of the Republic of South Africa, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. Source: PIB[/caption]
‘Boycott call’ by civil society organisations to mar celebrations in Nagaland
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Jan. 25: India celebrates Republic Day on Jan. 26 every year as it was on this day in 1950 that the constitution of the country came into effect—about two-and-a-half years after gaining her independence from the British. To mark the occasion, the President's Bodyguard, a cavalry unit, will escort president Ram Nath Kovind for the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi on Saturday where he will unfurl the national flag and the national anthem played.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the chief guest of India’s 70th Republic Day parade. He will be accompanied by First Lady Dr. Tshepo Motsepe.
The rich diverse culture of the country will be showcased by troupes from several states and women officers will lead the contingents of the Navy, Army Services Corps and a unit of Corps of Signals in this year’s celebration. India’s military might will be demonstrated before the world leaders during the grand parade.
It is reported that India will show off military equipments like the 155 mm artillery piece M777 American Ultra Light Howitzers, the self-propelled 155mm K9 VAJRA-T that has its roots in South Korea’s K9 Thunder, the Main Battle Tank (MBT) T-90 from Russia, and the indigenously-made short-range surface to air missile capable Akash Weapon System and Surface Mine Clearing System (SMCS) during the occasion.
The Republic Day festivities culminate with the Beating Retreat ceremony on the evening of Jan. 29 in the presence of the president. Bands from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force perform during the event.
No public for Republic Day
The Republic Day celebration in Nagaland could be marred with several Naga civil society organisations responding positively to the call of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to boycott the event in view of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 being passed in the Lok Sabha (yet to be passed in the Rajya Sabha). The Federation had directed all the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies to boycott the occasion in their respective jurisdiction and asked all the educational institutions in the state and the students not to participate in any event related to the R-Day celebrations. So, public participation in the celebration is likely to be affected.
Schools to wear a deserted look
President of All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA), Andrew Ahoto told
that schools have withdrawn itself from celebrating the Republic Day celebrations on Jan. 26 after the NSF requested all the educational institutions to stay away from any sorts of celebrations related to the occasion over the Citizenship Bill. He added that the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Nagaland has also withdrawn from the celebrations, though for a different reason over an issue with the government.
