Majority of non-BJP ruled states unrepresented at R-Day

Rajasthan and Punjab were surprisingly not among the 16 states that displayed their rich culture through their tableaux

Majority of non-Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-ruled states such as Bihar, West  Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, were among the 13 states that went  unrepresented in showcasing their heritage through tableaux at the 66th Republic Day celebrations here on Monday.

Rajasthan and Punjab, where BJP is in power or shares power with its ally  Shiromani Akali Dal, were surprisingly not among the 16 states that  displayed their rich culture through their tableaux.

Some of the north-eastern states of Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram, besides Himachal Pradesh and national capital  territory (NCT) of Delhi also went unrepresented during the Republic Day celebrations in the national capital that saw US President Barack  Obama, the first ever American president, to be the chief guest.

No tableaux from among any of the union territories in the country rode past the Rajpath during the celebrations. Among the 25 colourful tableaux from 16 states and other central government departments that depicted the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the country.

The new schemes enunciated by the NDA government were also showcased.

Some of these include Prime Ministers Narendra Modi's pet projects like Make in India, aimed at promoting manufacturing sector, Jan Dhan Yojna for financial inclusion of all, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme for saving and educating the girl child, Save Ganga project for saving river Ganga from pollution and promotion of alternative medicine system, besides introduction of bullet trains.

Telangana, which was the latest state to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh last year, made its debut at the Republic Day celebrations through its tableau with the theme "Bonaalu" — the illustrious state festival celebrated  to worship Mahankali Goddess.