Earlier, we had woken up around a quarter past 6 and went about our chores. The national flag was hoisted at our balcony at 8 AM. The Wednesday 'aarathi' of the house was carried out soon after, food was given to Kittu and then it was time for the morning exercises and prayers. Was ready by a half past 9.
Had settled down in front of the home theatre to watch the live telecast of the Republic Parade. I was particularly keen to observe the changes in the sequence of events after the merging of the Amar Jawan Jyothi with the eternal flame at the National War Memorial. It was a moving event with the Prime Minister placing the floral wreath at the tall memorial column.
The scene, then, shifted to Rajpath. There was no foreign guest to review the parade this time, too, like last year and our President was the chief guest, yet again, owing to the Covid protocols in place. The parade went off with the pomp and show associated with it and it was great to see the marching contingents, the colourful and educative tableaus, the folk dancers from across the country along with the spectacular floats from the states of the union.
The interesting point was the display of old uniforms as well as the latest, that was introduced earlier this month along with vintage aircraft participating with the latest aircrafts in our arsenal! From 1000 to about a quarter past 12 it was an absorbing telecast. Our maid was surprised that both Lekha and I watched the whole parade and through the snatches that she'd viewed, she is now convinced that it's worth watching.
There was a touching moment towards the end when Virat, the black steed of the President's Body Guard, caught everyone's attention as it retired after escorting the President from the parade at Rajpath to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan. The Hanoverian breed horse was bid farewell by the President, the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister as they patted him.
Colonel Anup Tiwary, the Commandant PBG, was astride on Virat and the steed has been a part of the Republic Day parades for 13 years. It was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation on the eve of the Army Day, this year, making it the first horse to receive such a recognition!
I had hauled down the tricolour at sunset.
Tailpiece.
Another quiet day, when I'd washed down our Chevy in the evening while Lekha watered the plants and provided the water for cleaning. The Quarterdeck was progressively shut down, as we got to go to Kochi to attend to Lekha's sixth monthly dental review. Will be back by Friday afternoon.
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