Preparations are underway for the historic ‘Bastille Day Parade’ in France’s capital city of Paris that is going to take place on July 14. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as the Guest of Honor for the iconic celebration on France’s National Day. He will become the second Indian Prime Minister to attend the parade after Dr. Manmohan Singh attended the event in 2009.
The soldiers from India Army’s Punjab Regiment will play the march at the tune of ‘Sare Jahan se Acha’ composed by Mohammad Iqbal. The Punjab Regiment had participated in defense of France resistance during WWI and fought alongside French Forces at the Western Theatre in Europe The Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy will participate in the parade showcasing collaboration and cooperation with the French forces. The significance of India is at display as the event commemorates an important event not only for France but for republics and democracies all over the world.
Rafael Jets show
The event will also mark a sort of homecoming for the contingent of Indian Rafael jets. The Indian Rafael aircrafts will fly alongside with French Rafael aircrafts over the iconic ‘Avenue des Champs-Élysées’ in Paris. The Indian jets can be seen practicing for the event in the images shared by Indian Air Force.
Indian Navy Commander Prateek Kumar spoke on the preparation by tri-services regiment “This is a great feeling for not only the armed forces but for the entire people of India that we have been represented at the Bastille Day, a prestigious event of the French government. We are happy that we are here as part of a tri-service contingent from the Army, Navy and Air Force.”
Significance of the event
The invitation extended to PM Modi is a rare honor as very few foreign dignitaries are invited to preside as Guest of Honor for the event that is largely a nationalistic celebration of French Republic. The event marks the storming of Bastille Prison during the French Revolution in 1789. The event is among one of the oldest annual military parades that has been broadcasted live on Television.
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