India celebrates 74th Republic Day. As per ritual President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh alongwith other council of ministers payed their tributes to martyrs at the National War Memorial at India Gate.

The parade rolled down the Rajpath renamed as Kartavya Path. Apart from this there were a few firsts in this year’s Republic Day.

1) First Republic Day parade for President Draupadi Murmu who took over a few month back.

2) For the first time 21 gun salute were given by guns made in India under the Make In India project. Earlier, the guns used were made in Britain and outside.

3) The women camel contingent of Border Security Force (BSF) – ‘Mahila Prahari’, walked past the Rajpath or Kartavya Path.

4) This year Egyptian President was the chief guest on the Republic Day. The Egyptian Army participated in the Republic Day parade. This was for the first time a foreign army contingent walked past the Rajpath or Kartavya Path.

A total of 23 tableaux – 17 from states and Union territories and six from various ministries and departments – depicting India’s vibrant cultural heritage, and economic and social progress were part of the parade on the Kartavya Path.

Like always, this year too the tablues would be parked at the Red Fort till January 31, 2023. However, this year there is some changes in this ritual. Tourism has been merged and a festival has been organised. The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory as it said being a tourism event, many politicians – MPs, ministers may visit the venue. This means traffic will be hampered and commuters may face traffic snarls.

The traffic advisory: Commuters have been asked to avoid the roads in and around Red Fort. Daryaganj or Netaji Subhash Road, Lothian Road (GPO and Kashmere Gate side), Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road, Hanuman Mandir, Yamuna Bazar.

However, if you are to catch trains at the Old Delhi Station or busses at Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) then plan accordingly as the roads in and around these places may be largely affected by traffic snarls. To avoid these jams, set out early or else you may miss the train.