By A Staff Reporter
New Delhi: In a historic first, a marching contingent and military band from Indonesia will lead India’s Republic Day parade tomorrow, coinciding with the visit of Indonesia’s President, who is attending as the chief guest. The announcement was made by Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar.
“One remarkable feature of this Republic Day parade is that a marching contingent and a band from Indonesia will be at the lead of our parade,” Mazumdar said during a media briefing. “This is not only the first time that we are having a contingent from Indonesia marching on Republic Day, but for Indonesia, it is the first time ever that a military band and a military contingent have participated in a parade abroad, anywhere,” he added.
The participation of the Indonesian military is of special significance, given the professional background of Indonesia's President, who is a soldier himself. According to Mazumdar, the President took a personal interest in the contingent’s preparations, overseeing their rehearsals in Jakarta before they traveled to India.