From Music To Service: Ashok Kumar Has Been Participating in the Republic Day Parade for the Past 26 Years!

Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar couldn’t be more excited. He has been participating in the Republic Day Parade for 26 years, leading the Indian Air Force Band contingent for 16 of those years. He is proud that his two younger brothers are also serving in the armed forces.  Ashok Kumar fondly recounted how he had good memories of playing some of his favorite tunes, such as 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja' and 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon', as he marched past the saluting dais.  He explained that it was a tough selection process to join the band, as members had to be mentally and physically fit, and had to have a certain playing capacity. The music was written by qualified personnel from the Indian Air Force. The martial music played this year as the troops passed the saluting dais was composed by Flight Lieutenant L S Rupachandra and Master Warrant Officer J A George, VSM. Kumar also shared that the band had performed abroad, in places such as Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and that he had led the Indian Air Force Band in the Beating Retreat Ceremony at Vijay Chowk to mark the end of the four-day Republic Day celebrations.  His daughter Rakhi Nagar shared her family's experience, saying that they kept a phone in hand to take pictures or record a video of him as he marched past the saluting dais. The family also loves to listen to him play the trumpet when he is home.  Ashok Kumar who has completed a course on drum majoring plays the bass drum, side drum, trumpet, and bugle. He revealed that earlier they marched to Western music, but today Indian marching tunes are employed instead. Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar's dream of joining the Defence Forces had come true and he was proud that his brothers have also joined him in this noble service to the Nation.

The Bold Women BSF Bikers Making A Debut This Republic Day.

Women are taking over the world and this story of BSF women is truly an example set for the world to see.  This Republic Day will showcase the courage and the bravery of women. The team of 113 BSF women named as Seema Bhavani will not only take part in the Republic Day parade but will also showcase their skills and daredevil stunts on the  Royal Enfield. The unique part of Seema Bhavani is in the diversity of its members, the women of the team come from "almost every state across the country". BSF Director General KK Sharma was the man behind this progressive thought to replace men daredevils with women bikers who could come forward and show their talents.   Seema Bhavani on this Republic Day parade will showcase "Pyramid", "Fish Riding", "Shaktiman", "Bull Fighting", "Seema Prahari", and many other stunts.