MAGNIFICENT FLYPAST AT 73RD REPUBLIC DAY PARADE; CELEBRATIONS SCALED DOWN DUE TO COVID SCARE

The grandest flypast with 75 aircraft to mark the 'Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav' celebrations was the highlight of the 73rd Republic Day Parade on Wednesday where India displayed its military might and vibrant cultural heritage on Rajpath, with the ceremonial event this year being drastically scaled down in view of the Covid pandemic.

75 aircraft flew past Rajpath in different formations with precision at tremendous speeds. The thundering aerobatics were performed with professional skills by IAF personnel was a visual treat. The Defence Ministry put out stunning footage of the fly-past taken from the cockpit.

Also showcased at the Republic Day parade were the Centurion tank, PT-76 tank, 75/24 Pack howitzer and OT-62 TOPAZ armoured personnel carrier that played a major role in defeating Pakistan in the 1971 war.

The ceremony began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the three service chiefs were present at the solemn ceremony.

The prime minister ditched his traditional turban look on Republic Day this year and wore a traditional cap from Uttarakhand with an image of the brahmakamal, the state flower, and also sported a stole from Manipur. Incidentally, both the states go to polls next month.

There was no chief guest at the parade this year. However, Swachhagrah, frontline workers, auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers and labourers who prepared the majestic tableaus were among special guests invited this year to the Republic Day parade.

Known otherwise to witness huge bustling crowds across many age groups, the annual ceremonial event at Rajpath was scaled down this time in view of the coronavirus pandemic, with spectators' size drastically cut to 5,000 from the 25,000 last year.

SONG, DANCE AND ART AS CULTURAL DIVERSITY IS PUT ON FULL DISPLAY

The Republic Day Parade, held under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence every year, also had the active participation of the Ministry of Culture this time. As the nodal ministry for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, it organised Vande Bharatam in collaboration with the MoD as a countrywide dance competition, the winners of which got to perform at Rajpath as part of the main parade.

In an open gallery on either side of Rajpath, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) showcased gigantic scrolls, each more than 750 metres long, painted by over 500 artists from across India. “The idea was to celebrate the unsung heroes, many of whom we have forgotten or don’t know much about,” said Adwaita Gadanayak, Director General of the NGMA.

The Ministry of Culture’s float is also a sign of things to come. As the country celebrated Subhas Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary between January 23, 2021 and January 23, 2022, the Ministry’s float last year was dedicated to Bose. This year, as a 53-member committee was formed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently to mark Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary, the Ministry’s float was dedicated to the life and times of the spiritual leader.

Several government ministries and departments also took out tableaux, highlighting flagship initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission. The Central Public Works Development tableau paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary.

INDIA SLAMS PAKISTAN AT UN DEBATE

India strongly hit back at Pakistan after Islamabad's envoy to the UN Munir Akram raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during a UNSC Open Debate on ‘Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Wars in cities’ on Tuesday.

"Member states are well aware that Pakistan has an established history of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists. This is a country which has been globally recognised as a sponsor of terrorism and holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council,” Counsellor in India's Permanent Mission to the UN R Madhu Sudan said.

“So much so that most terrorist attacks around the world today have their origin, in some form or the other, in Pakistan,” he said. His statement came days after  a siege at a synagogue in Texas, US, that ended with the killing of British hostage taker of Pakistani heritage, Malik Faisal Akram.

Madhu Sudan said he is constrained to take the UNSC floor again, after India's envoy TS Tirumurti had delivered the national statement at the debate, only because the Representative of Pakistan “chose to sully this august Council through his Pavlovian and frivolous remarks against my country. While his statement deserves our collective contempt, it is important for me to set the record straight.”

He said even as the Council is discussing protection of civilians at the meeting, the biggest threat to civilians comes from terrorists.

"As we mentioned earlier, the perpetrators of the heinous terror attack in Mumbai in 2008 continue to enjoy patronage of the state which he represents,” Madhu Sudan said, referring to the Pakistani envoy.

NEW DELHI WALKS THE TIGHTROPE ON UKRAINE

On January 19, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman called up Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and they discussed “Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders”. However, New Delhi is yet to issue an official statement on the matter, choosing to closely monitor the developments as of now.

Almost 60 per cent of India’s military supplies are Russian-manufactured, a significant factor when Indian and Chinese troops continue to be in a stand-off on the eastern border.

At the same time, the US and Europe, which are pushing back against Russia over Ukraine, are both important partners from India’s strategic calculus. Many US platforms have been used for reconnaissance and surveillance along the India-China border. Winter clothing for 50,000 troops has been sourced from these Western strategic partners.

India is also conscious that the hostility between the West and Russia, with talks of sanctions being considered, is likely to push Moscow in the direction of Beijing, hence strengthening the Chinese.

Sources in the strategic establishment recall that when Russia had annexed Crimea in early 2014, and the West had lined up against President Vladimir Putin, India had expressed “concern” but also qualified it by talking of “legitimate Russian interests”. The view was articulated at the time, under the UPA government, by then NSA Shiv Shankar Menon.

In fact, Putin had thanked India for taking a “restrained and objective” stand on the Ukraine situation, and called up Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express his gratitude.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST /Jan 27

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Wednesday 2,86,402

Active Cases 22,02,472 (-20,546)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 4,91,700 (496)

Total Vaccination: 163.84 Crores (+22,35,267)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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US RUSHES MISSILES TO UKRAINE AMID SANCTION THREAT TO PUTIN

In pictures evocative of the American intervention in Afghanistan more than 40 years ago, the US has rushed Stinger missiles and Javelin anti-tank weapons to Ukraine as both sides embark on a slippery slope to a war that US President Joe Biden said would have enormous consequences worldwide.

Both sides continue to accuse the other of provocative actions — the US and its allies pointing to aggressive Russian troop movements, and Moscow countering that it was US/Nato that is bringing war and confrontation to its borders by arming states formerly in its sphere of influence and shepherding them into Nato.

Despite being hamstrung by domestic disquiet over any US intervention and differences among some of its Nato allies (Germany is a notably reluctant partner because of its dependence on Russian gas for its energy needs), Biden warned of enormous economic and political consequences if Putin invaded Ukraine, fully or in part. “If he were to move in with all those forces, it’d be the largest invasion since WWII. It would change the world,” he noted amid a fervid debate about how far the US would go to defend Ukraine. US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman said earlier on Wednesday the US believes Putin remains poised to use force against Ukraine “perhaps (between) now and the middle of February”. The statement came as officials in Kyiv urged US citizens to “consider departing now”.

SOME EUROPEAN NATIONS PLAN TO EASE COVID CURBS, OTHERS TO TIGHTEN THEM

Denmark and Austria on Wednesday became the latest countries to ease Covid-19 restrictions, following similar moves by Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands, while other countries in Europe planned new measures to battle record numbers of infections.

Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech republic, Bulgaria and Romania all reported record daily infection totals on Wednesday and the German parliament prepared to debate vaccine mandate proposal. Poland will move older school students to remote learning from Thursday and Sweden said it would extend its current Covid measures by another two weeks.

With over 10 million new cases, infections in Europe rose 13% last week, according to WHO data, with France, Italy and Germany logging the highest numbers. Weekly deaths in the region, however, decreased by 5%.

THE REST

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PADMA TO GHULAM NABI BRINGS JIBES FROM WITHIN CONGRESS

A day after he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, former Jammu and Kashmir CM and Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday sought to scotch speculation about his future political plans.

Azad, the former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, is a prominent member of the G23 dissident leaders who have been demanding an organisational overhaul in the Congress and has faced backlash from a section of the party.

After the announcement of the Padma awards on Tuesday evening, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, while commenting on CPI (M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s refusal to accept the award, said, “He wants to be Azad not Ghulam”.

However, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who is also in the G23, said on Wednesday that it was ironic that the Congress does not need Azad’s services when the nation recognises his contributions to public life.

WOMEN IN UNIFORM STEAL THE R-DAY SHOW

The entry of women into the armed forces has been a slow process, one that has even required judicial intervention. But at the Republic Day parade on Rajpath Wednesday, women officers, still few in numbers, stole the show.

While several women officers led marching contingents, one of the highlights of the parade was the presence of the first woman pilot of the newly inducted Rafale fighter aircraft.

Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, posted with the No. 17 ‘Golden Arrows’ Squadron in Ambala, stood on the deck of the IAF tableau as it rolled past the saluting base.

The Navy marching contingent was led by Lieutenant Commander Aanchal Sharma and also included Sub Lieutenant Avanthika Duraiswamy. Lieutenant Preeti and her colleague Lt Mayank Bhagour led the Indian Navy tableau.

Lieutenant Manisha Bohra led the Army Ordnance Corps contingent while the IAF contingent too had a woman officer — Flight Lieutenant Impanashree KY.

Women from the Border Security Force’s Seema Bhawani motorcycle team displayed their skills, performing acrobatics and carrying a placard bearing the message of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.

In the marching contingent of the Sashastra Seema Bal, the two Assistant Commandants were women officers.

R-DAY CROWD WATCHES FLAG-HOISTING AT LAL CHOWK CLOCK TOWER

The tricolour was ceremonially unfurled atop the clock tower of Srinagar's Lal Chowk on Wednesday for the first time in front of a Republic Day crowd, creating a sense of history that had been missing when the last formal flag-hoisting event was held there 30 years ago amid a curfew.

Back in 1992, former Union minister and BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi had arrived in Srinagar on Republic Day to hoist the flag at the historic clock tower, only to run into a curfew clamped by the administration in view of terrorist threats. While security forces have been unfurling the tricolour there on all national days, never before Wednesday did a local crowd converge on the city centre to be part of such an event.

Across Srinagar, more national flags fluttered at various places, including Pratap Park and Iqbal Park, than on any previous Republic Day or Independence Day in memory.

VIOLENCE BY RAIL JOB ASPIRANTS: EXAMS SUSPENDED, GRIEVANCE PANEL SET UP

The Railways suspended its NTPC and Level 1 exams on Wednesday after the candidates went on a rampage in some states alleging irregularities in the process whilst minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urged them not to destroy public property and assured redressal of their grievances.

The suspension of exams and the statement by the minister are being seen as a step down from the earlier decision to bar applicants found indulging in vandalism.

The Railway Ministry formed a high-level committee to examine the aspirants’ grievances.

The protests by the job aspirants were going on in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh for two days and there was fear that the agitation may fan out in other parts of the country through the aggressive social media campaigns. Bihar, home to a majority of the job aspirants, saw violent protests for the third day in a row.

OPINION POLLS ARE ‘OPIUM POLLS’ : AKHILESH YADAV

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday warned people against opinion polls ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly calling them “opium polls”. “Opinion Polls in reality are Opium polls. We need to be careful of them,” Yadav said in his address at the party office here on the occasion of Republic Day.

“BJP leaders want to take the election in a different direction with their statements. All kinds of misconceptions are being spread on WhatsApp,” he said.

The SP had earlier written to the Election Commission demanding ban on opinion polls on news channels, terming them a violation of election code of conduct.

BJP WOOS JAYANT CHAUDHARY, HE SAYS NO THANKS

Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary has chosen the 'wrong home', Union Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday as he reached out to Jat leaders at a meeting in New Delhi ahead of the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh and the BJP suggested that its doors were open for the RLD leader.

However, the RLD leader gave a terse response. 'Invite those +700 farmer families which you have destroyed, not me,' he tweeted in Hindi.

SINGING LEGEND SANDHYA MUKHERJEE, 90, REFUSES PADMA AWARD

Singing legend Sandhya Mukherjee also known as Sandhya Mukhopadhyay on Tuesday refused an offer of a Padma Shri award when she was contacted by central government officials telephonically for her acquiesce.

Daughter Soumi Sengupta said Mukherjee told the senior official who called from Delhi that she was not willing to be named as a Padma Shri recipient on being contacted seeking her consent to being named a Padma Shri in the Republic Day awards list.

"At the age of 90, with a singing career spanning over about eight decades, being chosen for Padma Shri is demeaning for a singer of her stature," Soumi said.

"Padma Shri is more deserving for a junior artiste, not `Gitasree' Sandhya Mukhopadhay. Her family and all the lovers of her songs feel," the daughter said.

A vast number of netizens supported Mukherjee's decision.

BISHNOI GETS MAIDEN CALL-UP, KULDEEP RETURNS FOR WI SERIES

Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi was on Wednesday rewarded with a maiden India call-up for the upcoming Twenty20 series against the West Indies, while senior wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav also returned to the white-ball setup after a knee surgery.

Skipper Rohit Sharma on the day cleared his fitness test and was back in-charge for the series that starts with ODIs in Ahmedabad from February 6. All 3 ODIs will be played in Ahmedabad, on Feb 6, 9 & 11.  The T20is will be played in Kolkata, on Feb 16, 18, 20.

Among senior players, Ravichandran Ashwin has been dropped from the white-ball team. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami have been rested from the series.

"Ravindra Jadeja is undergoing his final stage of recovery post his knee injury and will not be available for the ODIs and T20Is.

ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan

T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel.

AFTER WINNING IN CONTRASTING STYLES, TSITISPAS AND MEDVEDEV SET UP A SEMI FINAL DATE

World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitispas stormed into the Australian Open 2022 semifinals for the third time in his career after thrashing World No. 10 in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Greek will next face World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev who came back from two sets down against  Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Medvedev lost the first two sets, was low on confidence and was one point from a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open, so he asked himself the question: What would Novak do? Modelling himself after the 20-time Grand Slam champion, Medvedev told himself late Wednesday to make Felix Auger-Aliassime fight for every point.

More than one hour after saving a match point on his serve in the fourth set, the U.S. Open champion finished off a 6-7 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5, 6-4 comeback victory almost a half-hour after midnight.

Medvedev mentioned his thoughts about Djokovic during his on-court TV interview and in a later news conference.

Women's Singles Semi Finals  Line-up

Ashleigh Barty 1 vs Madison Keys

Danielle Collins 27 vs Iga Swiatek 7

INDICATORS

(Indian Markets were closed yesterday on account of Republic Day)

Nasdaq 13,542 (+3) Dow 34,168 (-130), S&P 4,350 (-7)

US$-Rs. 74.80 GBP-Rs. 100.98, Euro-Rs. 84.39, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.36, Can$-Rs. 59.32, Aus$- Rs. 53.51

GBP 0.74 /US$, Euro 0.88 /US$, Jap.Yen 114.19 /US$, Aus$ 1.39 /US$, Sing 1.34 /US$, Bang Taka 84.29 /US$, Can$ 1.26 /US$, Mal Ring 4.18 /US$,

Pak Re 176.21 /US$, Phil Peso 51.19 /US$, Russian Rouble 79.09 /US$, NZ$ 1.49 /US$, Thai Baht 32.96 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 28.52 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 36,101

Dollar Index 96.60 Brent Crude 89.45 BDI 1,296

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,815 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,983 / 4,590, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 68,500

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

No time. Saddest words ever spoken or written. - Og Mandino

OFF TRACK

A woman in New York claims that her blind date stole her iPhone and her wallet. She was like, 'I have to get that iPhone back I mean, what if he calls?'