Tripura has bagged the best tableau award in this year’s Republic Day parade. It was followed by Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab in the second and third spots respectively. In the departments category, the prize was jointly shared by the CISF and the ICAR. Navy children’s school, Chanakyapuri was adjudged as the best performing school while the Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya Kishan Ganj, Delhi, was given the consolation prize. The CPWD was also given a special prize for floral decoration in the national capital. The awards were presented by the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a function on January 28.
The theme of the Tripura tableau was, ‘Empowering Rural Economy the Gandhian Way’. Tripura’s Chief Minister posted a tweet after the state received the best tableau award and said, “A moment of immense pride for #Tripura! Our Tableau at #RepublicDay2019 Parade wins the 1st prize. Congratulations to the entire team who worked hard and made this incredible achievement possible! जय हिंद। जय त्रिपुरा।” Tripura’s Information and Cultural Affairs Deputy Director Bhaskar Das Gupta said, “it was a test for the best”. He said that the charkha, weavers and the Swachh Bharat song were a tribute to the father of the nation.
Deputy Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir government, Nazir Ladakhi said, “It is a matter of privilege to be a part of the Republic Day parade and getting the second prize from the Defence Minister.” Secretary, Information and Public Relation of Punjab government, Gurkirat Kripal Singh said that the Punjab tableau depicted the Jallianwala Bagh incident. He said, “We are keen that the incident is showcased so that people know about it”. The official added, “This is the third time the state was getting the award. Earlier it was in 1967 and in 1982, and all throughout in the third position and we hope next time we will get the first prize.” A total of 16 states had participated in this year’s Republic Day parade along with six ministries and departments.