New Delhi | Various facets of Mahatma Gandhi’s life journey were displayed by the 22 tableaux that rolled down the Rajpath during the 70th Republic Day Parade to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the father of the nation.
While 16 tableaux were from states and Union Territories, six were from various central ministries and departments — agriculture, power, drinking water and sanitation, Indian Railways, CISF and CPWD.
The Uttarakhand tableau featured Kausani’s Anasakti Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi had stayed in 1929. The tableau showed Gandhi writing his book ‘Anasakti Yoga’ at the ashram in the backdrop of mountains and deodar trees.
The tableau of Uttar Pradesh had “commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi” as its theme, with Gandhi at the Kashi Vidyapith.
“Gandhi’s ray of hope our composite culture” was Jammu and Kashmir’s tableau theme this year. The tableau showcased Gandhi along with his charkha and ethnic diversity of the Valley.
“Peace Within”-themed Arunachal Pradesh’s tableau shows a tribal Monpa placing flowers at Gandhi’s feet. It also shows the dancing Monpa tribe stressing on peace and cleanliness.
The Delhi tableau showcased a theme of “Mahatma Gandhi and Delhi” and displayed his association with the national capital and the Birla House which is now known as Gandhi Smriti.
The tableau of West Bengal depicted two phases in Mahatma Gandhi’s life — his stay in Kolkata during India’s Independence and association with Rabindranath Tagore.
The Railways Ministry, whose tableau made a come back at the Republic Day parade after three years, depicted the “transformation of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to Mahatma Gandhi” and highlighted the yet-to-be-launched bullet train and Train 18.
The tableau highlighted the incident in 1893, when the young Mohandas was thrown out of a “European only” compartment at Pietermaritzburg railway station in South Africa which acted as a catalyst for him to practice ”Satyagrah”.
The front portion of tableau showcased a steam engine on whose top was perched a bust of Mahatma Gandhi which is similar to the bust installed in June 2018 at the Pietermaritzburg railway station of South Africa.
Incidentally, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade. He became the second South African president to be invited to the event as the chief guest. Former South African president Nelson Mandela was the chief guest for the prestigious event in 1995.
The theme for Andaman and Nicobar’s tableau was “Role of Gandhiji on inmates of Cellular Jail in Andaman”. The tableau showcased the effect that Mahatma Gandhi had amongst the inmates of the historic jail.
Gujarat with the “historical Dandi March” theme depicted the great movement which shook the foundation of the British Empire by lifting a handful of salt.
Similarly, the theme for Karnataka tableau was the “Gandhiji and the Belagavi Congress session”, whereas the theme for Maharashtra was the Quit India movement.
The theme for Goa’s tableau was “Unity in Diversity”, while for Tripura it was “empowerment rural economy in Gandhian Way”.
The tableau of Tamil Nadu will have “transformation of dress code of Mahatma Gandhi” as theme.
While the Punjab tableau had “Jallianwala Bagh” theme, Sikkim had “agricultural and environmental non-violence” theme.
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) tableau showcased the non-violent struggle by Gandhi, which led to freedom of India. The tableau was crafted in natural flowers. The front part of the tableau showed Gandhi, the middle part showed his non-violent followers while the rear portion depicted the message given by him for world peace and unity.
The tableau by the Ministry of Power represented the flagship scheme “Saubhagya” with the front portion showing Gandhi’s Talisman of serving poorest and weakest sections of society as the inspiration behind the Saubhagya scheme.
The four-year old journey of the “Swachh Bharat Mission” was demonstrated by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation with the front part of the tableau paying a tribute to Gandhi, who was the first champion of sanitation in India.
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