Goa may be the smallest state in India, but it has always spoken volumes, especially at the Republic Day parades in New Delhi, where it has bagged prizes for its tableaux and is getting set for another shot at the prize.
As India celebrates its 75th Republic Day on January 26, 40 Goans have already made their way to the capital city of India, New Delhi, to participate in the grand Republic Day parade at Rajpath, where they will showcase the Goa tableau.
Designed and conceptualised by renowned artist, Sushant Khedekar, this year’s Goa tableau has been crafted on the theme, 'Vikasit Goa, Vikasit Bharat,' and will showcase Goa in all its glory.
Sushant, who has worked on the Goa tableau in the past, is known for his expertise in the field.
“This year the Goa tableau will showcase the State's progress. We have added the new statue of Lord Parshuram, the Yog Sethu bridge and Deep Aquatics of Goa and the ‘Tapaloka Yog Kshetra,’ which is said to be a classic example of Vikasit Bharat, among several other elements of Goa,” says Khedekar, who is already in New Delhi along with the other Goan sculptors, carpenters, artists and fabricators.
One of the largest parades that the country sees, the Republic Day parade, dates back to the year 1950, and has been held ever since.
Goa is always known to bring it’s A-game to the parade with Konkani tunes, rhythmic dancing and all things happy and bright. And this is probably why it has brought the prize for the best tableau back home in the past.
The tableau also displays the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ in accordance with Goa becoming the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified state in the country, where people from all 2.63 lakh rural households have gotten access to safe drinking water through tap connections.
The tableau is currently being displayed at the Bharat Parv in New Delhi, ahead of the big Republic Day celebrations which are scheduled to take place on January 26, 2024, with all pomp and grandeur.
Call us biased, but our bets are on the Goan tableau because there is no place like Goa!