NEW DELHI: Today, woman power was on a remarkable display at the Republic Day celebrations with contingents of the Navy, Army Services Corps and unit of Corps of Signals led by women officers. Lieutenant Bhavana Kasturi created history to become the first woman to lead an all-men contingency at the parade. The all-women Assam Rifles contingent participated for the first time in a Republic Day parade. Major Khushboo Kanwar, a 30-year-old mother, leads the contingent of the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in the country.

After the dress rehearsals on January 23, brimming with pride, she said that "Leading an all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles is a matter of great honour and pride for me. We have practised very hard...I am a daughter of a bus conductor from Rajasthan and if I can accomplish this, then any girl can fulfil her dream." Captain Shikha Surabhi, from the Corps of Signals, performed the daredevil stunt alongside her male teammates. The stunts are a major attraction every Republic Day. A woman officer took part in a heart in the mouth stunt as she stood on top the seat of a moving motorcycle and saluted the President of India.

The 28-year-old officer who hails from Jharkhand's Hazaribagh said that " she is the first woman to be part of daredevils segment of the parade. It took a lot of practice to perfect the stunts. But she is proud of this accomplishment. Women can do anything," While Captain Bhavna Syal, a third-generation officer in the armed forces, fronted the transportable satellite terminal's contingent. Lieutenant Ambika Sudhakaran led a marching naval contingent of 144 sailors.

Lieutenant Sudhakaran said that "Men and women are marching shoulder-to-shoulder to serve the nation," Major General Rajpal Punia, after the full dress rehearsals on January 23 had said that "This Republic Day parade will also be an amazing display of ''Nari Shakti'' (women power), as many contingents will be led by women, besides an all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles,"  He also said this year is also the largest participation of women in the parade.

The 90-minute Republic Day parade has concluded. Fifty-eight tribal guests from various parts of the country, 22 tableaux of states and central government departments and performance by school children were part celebrations. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the event.

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