Class Communicative English

Unit Commentary on Republic Day Celebrations and parade at New Delhi Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. On this splendid morning on behalf of the entire team of Radio India, this is Anitha Rao along with my fellow commentators Yusuf Ahmed, Manoj Pande and our Technical Audio team extending warm greetings to all the listeners on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day of India and welcome you to Rajpath New Delhi, which literally means Kingsway, the ceremonial path and one of the most important roads of India that runs through the heart of New Delhi and where the Republic Day parade takes place every year on the 26th of January. We are placed right next to the flower bedecked saluting dais from where our Honourable President along with our Vice President, Prime Minister and all the other dignitaries will view the parade which showcases India’s defence capability and its cultural and social heritage. The day is memorable on account of the presence of the ASEAN leaders who will be amidst us today as chief guests to honour the day when the Constitution of India came into force.

My fellow commentator Yusuf is here, to share with you the proceedings of the day… Yusuf—Good Morning and heartiest greetings to my fellow citizens on the joyous occasion of the 69th Republic Day of our Nation. As you all know, ASEAN is Association of South East Asian Nations comprising of Nations – Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, The Philippines, Laos People’s Democratic Republic and Brunei. The whole area opposite the dais is bedecked with colourful fresh flowers and certainly the three prominent colours of yellow, saffron, white and green are given more prominence depicting the colours of our National Flag. I can see the Red Roses, Yellow Marigold, the Bird of Paradise, the Pansies and other foliage giving the green colour to it.

Over to Manoj…. Listening Passages Manoj − Thank you Yusuf. What a beautiful sight! And in a short while from now, the combined military band will be playing the National Anthem.

There are musicians drawn from EME centres and ASE centres from South. They will be playing the National Anthem, the Cavalry brigade and the army star ‘Arjunam’. The three chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Central and State Defence Ministers have arrived. They are all stationed in the inner periphery of India Gate, flanking the ‘Amar Jawan Jyothi’.

It’s a resplendent sight. The Amar Jawan Jyothi commemorates the indomitable courage of our soldiers and it is symbolised by a reversed rifle topped by a helmet. The Prime Minister is now laying the wreath on behalf of the country at the Amar Jawan Jyothi. The Inter services guard of honour gives the command to present the arms ‘The Salami Shastra’, followed by the reversal of the arms, “The Shok Shastra”.

Six buglers stationed there sounded the last post and a two minute silence is being observed. The completion of the silence is marked by sounding the rouse by the buglers. The Prime Minister is leaving the India Gate and now over to Anitha for an eye witness account of the grand parade. Anitha − It’s a lovely day today.

The Prime Minister has arrived at the dais and is greeting the guests of honour on the stage. We now see the Honourable President of our country arriving ceremoniously led by the President’s body guard. The President’s body guard personnel are all handpicked, well trained horsemen, paratroopers and tank men. The Honourable President is led to hoist the National Flag.

The President is now giving the highest Gallantry Awards and Medals to the kin of martyrs. Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padmashree are given to eminent personalities from various fields such as literature, education, art, sports, social work, medicine, science, engineering, civil services, public affairs, trade and industry. Bravery awards to children are given for exhibiting courage and valour. Yusuf will now take over from here… Yusuf − The customary grand parade has started and is moving ceremoniously, in colourful attires.

The different tableaus are showcasing the country’s progress in different fields. And here comes the newly formed all Women Bikes Contingent, the member BSF Women ‘Dare Devils’ Squad named ‘Seema Bhavani’ showcasing their stunts and acrobatics on their cc Royal Enfield Bullet Motorcycles. After the mesmerising performance of the BSF women, here are the children from various schools in Delhi and students across the guest countries performing on the power of Education. Manoj, isn’t it a splendid sight?

Manoj − A real feast to the eyes! A few of the parade’s highlights are the BSF camel band, the musical band of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the DRDO Subsonic cruise missile Tableau. The Rudra formation, The Hercules formation, Nethra Global formation and several other formations by Air force mark the culmination of the Republic Day Parade, ending with a stupendous fly past by the Jets and helicopters carrying the National Flag and the flags of the three services. It's been a day of joy and celebration.

Once again with greetings to the Nation on this Republic Day, Anitha, Yusuf and Manoj take leave and sign off. JAI HIND.