Republic Day: Imprints of Modi govt's policies visible

Modi's pet projects Make in India, Jan Dhan Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Andolan were displayed at the parade

If there would be any platform for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to showcase his vision for India to the US President Barack Obama, certainly Rajpath would top the list.

Modi’s pet projects – Make in India, Jan Dhan Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Andolan – all were displayed at the 66th Republic Day celebrations even as there were splendid cultural performances which translated his ‘Swacch Bharat’ mission and also showcased the Mars orbit mission.

A huge mechanized-built lion represented the ‘Make in India’ campaign was rolled down the roads of Rajpath after each state displayed their decorated floats representing India’s diverse and unique cultures.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) displayed the massive ‘Make in India’ walking lion symbol surrounded with a model of a smart city and with electronic music in the backdrop.

Modi, through this highly ambitious campaign, often pitched the international business fraternity to manufacture in India and with Obama’s visit to India it assumes high importance.

The ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’ tableau by the union Finance Ministry pitched the Modi government’s progress of connecting every household with a bank account and the float used dancers and mimes. A few days ago, Modi had sent a letter to bankers congratulating them on the success of this initiative.

The parade’s theme ‘Nari Shakti’ or Women’s Power got a further boost after the cause of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (Save girl child, teach girl child) tableau, by the Ministry of Women Welfare and Child Development, marched down depicting women being omnipresent in all the professions.

Meanwhile, US First Lady Michelle Obama could be seen exchanging long talks with Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari’s wife Salma Ansari. So was Modi with guest of honour Obama.

The major attractions from the cultural performances from schools were the ‘Mangalyaan’ dance and the Clean India campaign pitch.  Students, through their performance, displayed the country’s maiden Mars orbiter mission ‘Mangalyaan.’ This was followed by a dance program on "Swachh Banaye Bharat", promoting Modi’s cleanliness drive.

A replica of India’s first home minister Sardar Patel’s’ Statue of Unity’ made an appearance on  Gujarat tableau. Modi, ever since taking charge, has promised to construct this statue in his home state – Gujarat.

Certainly, the 66th Republic Day parade not only painted India’s cultural heritage and military might to Obama but also flaunted Modi’s vision of India in the coming years.