Rama Krishna Sangem
An Indian tri-services contingent, led by the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army, gathered at the Champs-Elysees Avenue on july 14, Friday, ahead of the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, guest at the French National Day, and France President Emmanuel Macron and other French dignitaries watched the colourful military parade.
Preparations are underway for the Bastille Day Parade, which commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison, an ancient royal fortress in 1789 during the French Revolution Meanwhile, security has also been beefed up.
French security forces are seen checking the cars and buses ahead of the parade. Earlier, on Wednesday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the adoption of an exceptional security plan for the French national holiday, which will be placed under heavy police surveillance due to a “particular environment (…) of violence,” Le Monde reported.
No fewer than 130,000 members of law enforcement will be mobilised across the country on Thursday and Friday, “including 45,000 each evening, equipped and organized (…) for urban violence”, the minister said.
Punjab Regiment led by Capt Aman Jagtap
The Punjab Regiment will be led by Captain Aman Jagtap. The Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel while the Indian Air Force contingent is by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.
Expressing his happiness over being part of the Bastille Day parade, Captain Aman Jagtap, 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, Longewala, who will command the Indian contingent at the Bastille Day Parade, said, “It is a proud and historic moment.
After 107 years, we will parade at the same place where the ancestors of my Regiment did. For my troop and me, it is a matter of pride for me…It is not every day that someone gets to parade before one’s PM in a foreign land. It is a huge and rare opportunity for us.
This year the Bastille Day Parade has seen about 6,300 soldiers in various marching contingents. This includes a tri-services contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Punjab Regiment participated in both World Wars, having been awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours in the first war.
