Indian Military contingent marches to 'Sare Jahan Se Accha' as IAF Rafales Soar at Bastille Day Parade
Paris, July 14: The Indian military contingent marched to the beats of ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha’ even as a complement of Rafale fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at Bastille Day Parade.
At the annual parade commemorating the historic fall of Bastille in 1789, the Punjab Regiment took the lead in the march, followed by the Indian Navy and the Air Force, leaving a lasting impression. Captain Aman Jagtap led the Punjab Regiment, Commander Vrat Baghel commanded the Indian Naval contingent, and Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy commanded the Indian Air Force contingent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was at the event as the Guest of Honour, took the salute from the Indian contingent as they marched at the Champs-Elysees.
In a proud moment for India, the Indian Air Force's Rafales painted the skies above Champs-Elysees, leaving the spectators mesmerised. Among the esteemed dignitaries present at the Bastille Day Military Parade on Friday were French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
Leading the flypast, the French fighter jets left behind a vibrant trail of smoke in the hues of the French national flag - red, blue, and white. This spectacular display adorned the skies of Champs-Elysees, creating a captivating ambiance in its radiant aftermath.
Both the Indian and French troops marched with trumpets and drums. Macron received the Guard of Honour upon his arrival ahead of the military parade.
Ahead of the parade, PM Modi and the French President shared a warm hug as the latter arrived for the Bastille Day parade at Champs-Élysées in Paris. Champs-Élysées was gilded in the colours of the French Flag. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Bastille Day Parade is the highlight of celebrations of the day that marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison, an ancient royal fortress in 1789 during the French Revolution.
This year, the Bastille Day Parade had 6,300 soldiers in various marching contingents. This included a tri-services contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Indian Army was represented by the Punjab Regiment. The troops of the Regiment have participated in both World Wars, having been awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours in the first war.
_f30fb28e4e494be0943f028ea1611554_1280X720.webp)
The Punjab Regiment participated in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in France in September 1915 during World War One. The regiment also won 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours in the Second World War.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defence, in a press release, stated, "The Indian Army contingent comprising of 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the Band is being led by Captain Aman Jagtap. Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel and the Indian Air Force contingent is by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy. The Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will also form part of the flypast during the parade."
It added, "The Army contingent is being represented by the Punjab Regiment which is one of the oldest Regiments of the Indian Army. The troops of the Regiment have participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-independence operations."
- ANI
