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Women rule this year's Republic Day parade

From performing bike stunts, to leading all-men team, women took over Rajpath

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Lieutenant Bhavana Kasturi leads the Army Service Corps contingent during the 70th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi on Saturday;
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Women stole the show at the 70th Republic Day parade as they signified a new era, from the first all-women contingent by the Assam Rifles to a lone woman officer showcasing motorbike stunts on the Rajpath as part of the iconic daredevil team.

Breaking gender barriers, contingents of the Indian Navy, Indian Army Service Corps, and a unit of Corps of Signals (transportable satellite terminal) were all led by women officers. The women, smartly dressed in their uniforms, beaming with pride, marched ahead with their teams, displaying nari shakti.

Captain Shikha Surabhi from the Corps of Signals, a member of the Army Daredevils Team, became the first woman to perform bike stunts, alongside her male teammates as part of daredevils, which a major attraction every Republic Day. Her standing salute from the bike drew loud applause from the audience.

"I was amazed at her agility and daredevilry. It is good to see that women are taking over men in spheres considered essentially a male bastion," said Praveen Singh, one of the audience. "It was an exhilarating experience to see her perform. My daughter was so impressed," said Devyani Thakur, another spectator.

For the first time, a female officer, Lt Bhavana Kasturi, led a contingent of an all male contingent of Indian Army Service Corps while Captain Bhavna Syal, a third-generation officer in the armed forces, led the transportable satellite terminal's contingent.

"This Republic Day parade will also be an amazing display of 'nari shakti' (women power), as many contingents will be led by women, besides an all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles," said Major General Rajpal Punia, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi.

He further said, "Seeing the level of their involvement in this year's parade, with all-women Assam Rifles contingent, and other contingent leaders, it is the largest participation of women in the republic day parade."

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