Bastille Day Parade Archives - Lokmarg

‘Sare Jahan Se Accha’ Rents Paris Air As Indian Contingent Marches At Bastille Day Parade

By LokMarg 14th July 2023

The Indian military contingent marched to the beats of ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha’ even as a compliment of Rafale fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade.

The Punjab Regiment led the march and was followed by the Indian Navy and then the Air Force as the left their mark at the annual parade to mark the historic fall of Bastille in 1789.
The Punjab Regiment was led by Captain Aman Jagtap whie the Indian naval contingent was led by Commander Vrat Baghel. The Indian Air Force contingent was commanded by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.

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 moment to savour for India, the IAF Rafales streaked the skies over Champs-Elysees, leaving the audience in awe.

French President Emmanuel Macron, First Lady Brigitte Macron, topped the dignitaries attending the Bastille Day Military Parade on Friday.

The French fighters, which led the flypast, left a trail of smoke in the colours of the French national flag — red, blue and white, leaving the skies of Champs-Elysees bathing in its afterglow.

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.

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)

Will Parade At Our Ancestors Did: Punj Regiment Gears Up For Bastille Day Parade

By LokMarg 14th July 2023

An Indian tri-services contingent, led by the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army, gathered at the Champs-Elysees Avenue on Friday, ahead of the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France.

Preparations are underway for the Bastille Day Parade, which commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison, an ancient royal fortress in 1789 during the French Revolution.
Meanwhile, security has also been beefed up.

French security forces are seen checking the cars and buses ahead of the parade.

Earlier, on Wednesday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the adoption of an exceptional security plan for the French national holiday, which will be placed under heavy police surveillance due to a “particular environment (…) of violence,” Le Monde reported.

No fewer than 130,000 members of law enforcement will be mobilised across the country on Thursday and Friday, “including 45,000 each evening, equipped and organized (…) for urban violence”, the minister said.

The Punjab Regiment will be led by Captain Aman Jagtap. The Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel while the Indian Air Force contingent is by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.

Expressing his happiness over being part of the Bastille Day parade, Captain Aman Jagtap, 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, Longewala, who will command the Indian contingent at the Bastille Day Parade, said, “It is a proud and historic moment. After 107 years, we will parade at the same place where the ancestors of my Regiment did. For my troop and me, it is a matter of pride for me…It is not every day that someone gets to parade before one’s PM in a foreign land. It is a huge and rare opportunity for us.”

This year the Bastille Day Parade will have about 6,300 soldiers in various marching contingents. This includes a tri-services contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Punjab Regiment participated in both World Wars, having been awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours in the first war.

Meanwhile, Subedar Satinder Pal Singh from the Punjab Regiment, said, “The troops are full of vigour. We are ready to march. Our ‘josh’ and morale is high. Our ancestors sacrificed themselves for this land. Now we are here.”

Indian Navy’s contingent is also set to participate in the Bastille Day Parade.

Ranveer, an officer of the Indian Navy, told ANI, “Our contingent is brimming with anticipation and enthusiasm. From the parade, you will get a sense of the preparations that went into it. We have been preparing (for the parade) for the last one month. However, all stage rehearsals are over and we are all set for the march today. We are very proud that the PM is here and that our contingent is taking part in the Bastille Day Parade.”

Paris Mein Hardik Swagat: Macron Welcomes Modi

By LokMarg 14th July 2023

Ahead of the French National Day celebrations, President Emmanuel Macron on Friday extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade.

“India and France are celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership made of trust and friendship, which are only getting stronger with time. Dear @NarendraModi, welcome to Paris.” Macron tweeted.
He later tweeted the same message in Hindi, saying, “Bharat aur France 25 saal ki Ranneetik saajhedaari tatha vishwas aur dosti ke sadaiv majboot bandhan ka jashn mana rahe hain. Priya Narendra Modi, Paris mein hardik swagat.”

PM Modi arrived in Paris on Thursday to a ceremonial welcome. He was recieved by his France counterpart Elisabeth Borne and later addressed the Indian diaspora in the France capital.

An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force as part of the military contingent, are also set to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris.

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 will have about 6,300 soldiers in various marching contingents. This includes a tri-services contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Indian Army is being 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.

Earlier, PM Modi also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron for hosting him at the Elysee Palace.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, “I thank President @EmmanuelMacron and Mrs. Macron for hosting me at the Élysée Palace this evening.”

On his arrival at Elysee Palace, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by French President and First Lady.

During the private dinner, Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (local time). It is the highest French honour in military or civilian orders. With this, PM Modi becomes the first Indian PM to receive this honour.

Prior to arriving for the dinner at Elysee Palace, PM Modi interacted with the Indian community in Paris, where he highlighted the multifaceted linkages between India and France. He spoke about India’s development in various sectors and invited diaspora members to invest in India.

PM Modi also held a meeting with his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne, with the discussions on furthering cooperation in various areas, including economy, trade, energy, environment, education, mobility, digital public infrastructure and people-to-people ties.

He also met French Senate President Gerard Larcher on Thursday at the Senate building, Palais du Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.

The two-day official visit is special because this year also marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

PM Modi’s visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, the official statement read. (ANI)