A typical cold day in Delhi, accentuated by the rains. The Republic Day parade started off in the usual way. I am a great fan of the Parade. Love watching those uniformly moving hands and legs and the whole battalion marching in sync – truly amazing.
I’ve been part of the Parade in Chennai, during my school days – so, I literally know the difficulty of such synchronized marching. I love the parade, the colors and the whole patriotic flavor that’s attached to it.
Today added an extra dimension to my emotions – a goose bumpy moment, when Wing Commander Pooja Thakur, representing Indian Air Force commanded the Inter Service Guard of Honour for Mr.Obama. Watch her interview here [LINK]
Added to that fact, I had goose bumps when our National Anthem was sung – it always happens for me.
Here is the video link too….
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UmaS Reflections 
This is probably one of those years where I could not watch the parade, at least a part ofit, after the School function! But yes, I love watching the parade, the drill, the flypast, the tableux … and this time I ought to have watched for this young lady officer! Shall catch up on it some other time 🙂
I also like that there is a reflection of the Armed Forces in your post too 😀 Hugs!
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Yup…such a coincidence Usha and I love it 🙂
You are one busy bee always running 😛 😛
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I love that “women power” is the theme this year.
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Yeah…feels good 🙂
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I watched nearly the whole parade yesterday, which I love, too! I too participated in the celebrations at Nehru Stadium (I had lezim in my hand, I remember) in my school (!) days!
I love our anthem too! I and my husband stand up wherever we are, whatever we are doing. My children too were doing it when they were children!
I watched the women contingent too and felt proud. The school children were happy and smiling and singing along during the show, which is good. They didn’t seem to be tired.
Good to read this post, Uma! I like to write something like this on Independence and Republic day too!
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WOW…Sandhya that is so cool…doing the lezim in your school days. I’ve marched the entire stretch from Light house to Madras University for 3 years – and those practice sessions drill the energy out of me. But I am proud to have taken part in that 🙂
Thank you 🙂
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That is very cool. I love seeing women rise in ranks, anywhere in the world, and to get recognition for their accomplishments. Because we know she would have had to work twice as hard, and be twice as good, as her male colleagues.
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Absolutely agree with the truth in your comment ! We need to work twice hard to reach the same place as the male colleagues ! So bravo Pooja Thakur 🙂
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Me too!! Being in Delhi for more than twenty years, I always feel proud watching the parade year after year with same enthusiasm, telling my kids how we used to go for drills and actually participate in the march past! I think this was the first time when we experienced rain otherwise it used to be mostly dense fog. I and my kids feel excited when the flypast goes over our building and we run to the balcony to get a glimpse of the air-crafts.:)
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That’s such an awesome experience Sunitha, to see the flypast during the parade 🙂
Oh !! you remember our March past sessions on the Beach road na ?? We even took part in a cultural dance right ?? Such wonderfully memorable days….
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Republic Day does that to you. The pride, the joy, the memories of years gone by (in the History books, for some of us). A lovely post! 🙂
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Thank you Deboshree…the parade is indeed my fav part of the Republic Day !!
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I watched the parade this year after a long time. Hope this slogan of women empowerment translates to better life for women everywhere.
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Amen to that Shail !!
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Me too. I choke up at Jana gana mana everytime…and get overwhelmed army any exhibition of national fervour. That’s why I don’t watch the parade.
Good to know of a co- romantic.
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Any…not army.
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((Hugs)) co-romantic 🙂
Thats all the more reason for me to watch it…sometimes I get too emotional too 😀
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I think every indian needs to stand still when our nation anthem is going on.. our fore fathers have spilled blood so we can listen to the song in FREEDOM…
Always a proud moment to be a Indian
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So true Bikram….this freedom we celebrate is from the sacrifice of many a lives.
Let us respect and celebrate this freedom !
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I watch the Parade every year. This one was eceven more special. Loved the women power on display. I also feel emotional about the National Anthem. I still sing loudly.
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Yup…seeing the women contingent and all made me so happy and proud 🙂
And yes, I too sing along in attention, whenever I hear our Anthem !!
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Wasn’t able to watch the entire thing this time. But did manage to catch her commanding the guard of honour. What a proud moment ! Truly! I have goosebumps too whenever I see our men and women in uniform or I hear the national anthem being sung. Can completely understand your emotions Uma:)
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((Hugs)) Indyeah….you are one of the persons, whom I was thinking about, when I wrote this post 🙂
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Love it. So glad she was chosen!
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Yup…me too 🙂
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