Kerala at the Republic Day parade: Why the state's tableau is different from every other float
Kerala was featured in a float before in 2023.
Kerala was featured in a float before in 2023.
Kerala was featured in a float before in 2023.
Kerala makes its presence felt in Delhi this year on the Republic Day, through its float featuring the Kochi Water Metro. The public transport system through the state's inland waterways made Kochi the first city in India to have such a water metro system in 2021. It is also integrated with the city's feeder bus services and the Kochi Metro. The fully electric boats represent the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, in line with one of the R-Day themes, 'Samriddhi Ka Mantra - Atmanirbhar Bharat.'
The float also features Kerala's 100% digital literacy, as represented by 70-year-old Sarasu, a Thiruvananthapuram native and the brand ambassador of the initiative. She is shown holding a laptop and a smartphone. Kerala's native agricultural produce - coconut, mango, jackfruit and spices are also part of the float. A folk dance featuring Kerala's heritage, composed by music director Mohan Sithara, written by VR Santhosh and sung by KA Sunil, lends it a cultural aura. The float was designed by advertiser Roy Joseph from Kannur. In 2023, Kerala featured a float showcasing the martial art of kalaripayattu, women's literacy and tribal percussion.
30,000 personnel, AI surveillance
Over 30,000 police personnel have been deputed in Delhi as part of a multi-layered security net for the Republic Day celebrations. In New Delhi alone, there are around 10,000 police personnel. This includes barricades and pickets, said officials. Around 3,000 CCTVs equipped with advanced analytics and recognition systems are in place across the capital city. Thirty control rooms manned by 150 personnel are also set up to monitor the proceedings. Interestingly, police personnel are also given AI glasses integrated with the Facial Recognition System (FRS) and video analytics. Sniper teams have been deployed at thousands of rooftops across New Delhi, North, and Central districts. The seating enclosures at this year's parade are named after rivers.
'India Republic Day' has more than 1 million search volume in the past 9 hours on Google Trends.
(With inputs from PTI)