Lokmanya Tilak, strongest voice of 'Swaraj' will be part of 2017 Republic Day Parade tableaux

Many people might not be aware that Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak, India's famous freedom activist and a social reformer, was also a mathematician, news reporter, editor, writer and orator. Thus, Maharashtra has prepared very special Tableau on Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak for the Republic Day Parade this year.

The tableaux on Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak on Rajpath will be part of the tableaux from 17 states and Six ministries of the Central Government this year. These tableaux will showcase varied themes starting from country's rich cultural heritage and socio-economic evelopment to nation's progress in key areas like IT, women, empowerment and environment protection. Each state tableaux depicts its own story to portray themes ranging from art form, folk culture, flora and fauna and achievements.

The tableaux on Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak, a great man who gave his famous slogan 'SWARAJ IS MY BIRTH RIGHT AND I SHALL HAVE IT' and served as an inspiration for future revolutionaries of India's struggle for freedom, will coincide this year's commemoration as the 160th birth anniversary of the honoured freedom fighter. Known popularly as Lokmanaya, meaning revered by the people, Tilak was one of the first leaders of the Indian Independence movement. He committed himself to bring about awakening in the society and nation building so as to liberate India from the oppressive rule of the British. He started publishing his newspapers, the 'Mahratta' and 'Kesari'.

With a view to bring about social awakening and unity in the fight against the foreign rule, he initiated the celebrations of 'Ganeshotsav' and also the 'Shivjayanti Utsav'. This year the tradition of celebrating Ganeshotsav as begun by him would be completing 125 successful years. Lokmanya Tilak understood the importance of physical education and hence, encouraged it along with other social reforms. He was one of the strongest advocates of 'Swaraj' or Self Rule for India. The Maharashtra tableau depicts the commemoration of the 160th birth anniversary of this great man of India.

The Republic Day Parade on Rajpath will witness tableaux from 17 States and Six Ministries of the Central Government this year. These tableaux will showcase varied themes starting from country's rich cultural heritage and socio-economic development to nation's progress in key areas like IT, Women, Empowerment and Environment Protection. Each State tableau depicts its own story to portray themes ranging from art form, folk culture, flora and fauna and achievements.