Republic Day tableaux to serve up a slice of India

From the construction of the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel in Kashmir to a tribute to Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika, and from the story of the valiant Tipu Sultan to an evocation of the confluence of nomadic tribes in Jammu and Kashmir, these are some of the themes which will feature on tableaux for the Republic Day function here this Sunday.
Thirteen tableaux from the states and five from the various ministries and departments will provide a kaleidoscopic view of India's military might, economic strength, cultural heritage and its development of science and technology.
This year, the list of tableaux at 18 is one short of the number last year.

The Pir Panjal tunnel, one of the main highlights among the tableaux this year, is the longest transportation tunnel in the country. It was commissioned by Indian Railways in 2013.
The 11-km long tunnel which connects Kashmir valley with the Jammu region has boosted the process of development in the state.
The first tableau to roll out will be from Uttar Pradesh, titled 'Subah-e-Banaras'. It will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the holy city of Benaras.

The display will depict the unique sunrise in the city with its scintillating light on river Ganga.
The tableau from Meghalaya will highlight the importance of arecanut, the popular cash crop of the state and its role in boosting the livelihood of the locals.

Arunachal Pradesh will present the state's prominent folk dance, 'Aji Lhamu', which is performed to ward off evil spirits before construction of a dam or bridge, symbolic of the creation of connections between two communities.
The dance form is widely popular among Monpas and Shardukpens, the Buddhist communities of the state.
The Jammu and Kashmir tableau celebrates its multi- cultural landscape and conflux of nomadic communities. The tableau will also carry a reference to the world's first cloned pashmina goat, 'Noori', and the pashmina-making process.