Bastille Day celebrations in France: Matter of pride for us to march with PM Modi, says Indian contingent
Paris, July 12: Ahead of the Bastille Day celebrations in France, the Indian contingent expressed their excitement and said it was a matter of pride for them to march with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the guest of honour.
Lt Commander, Indian Navy, Disha Amrith said they had been practising in France since June 8 and the entire contingent was feeling very proud. Speaking to ANI, Lt Commander Disha Amrith said, “We can’t express what we are feeling right now. I am sure the entire contingent is feeling the same. PM Modi is the Chief Guest…we feel very fortunate. Here we have started practising from the 8th of June. Before this, we did practice in India for over a month”.
She further said the interaction and tuning between the Indian and French forces was going pretty well and the two talk about each other’s culture. “Everybody knows the past, the World War I and II…also there are exercises that we undertake with the French. Exercise Varuna is an annual exercise, and it happened last in January this year. We are 64 men and four officers,” she added.
Subedar Satinder Pal Singh from Punjab Regiment said it was a proud feeling and the perception of people about India was very positive and strong. “We are feeling very proud. The whole Punjab Regiment is very fortunate, that our ancestors did good work. The sacrifice they laid 107 years before”.
On being asked about PM Modi being the guest of honour at the event, he added, “It is a very proud feeling, when we will march ahead saluting and PM Modi will be sitting in front of us”.
He further said the interaction of the Punjab Regiment with French forces had been very positive.
“The interaction has been very nice. They are very positive people, they helped us, became our friends and also gave us gifts and we will also give them gifts. We are here for eight days practising. As we are interacting with people, their perception of us is very strong,” he said.
At the invitation of France President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour on France's National Day on July 14.
Three Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets, as part of the military contingent, are poised to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris.
The French traditional military parade is held in Paris during Bastille Day on July 14. PM Modi's visit will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the "strategic partnership" between France and India.
Prime Minister's visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, as per the official statement released by the Indian Embassy in France.
- ANI
