Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday felicitated winners of Republic Day Parade 2018, at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp, Cariappa Parade Ground here.
Among the three services, Punjab Regiment Contingent was awarded the best marching contingent. Indo-Tibetan Border Police was awarded the best marching contingent among the para-military and other auxiliary forces.
A total of 23 tableaux, out of which 14 from states and Union Territories, two from Ministry of External Affairs depicting long socio-cultural, religious, educational and trade relations between India and ASEAN countries and the rest from other Ministries and departments participated in this year’s Parade.
The tableau from Maharashtra depicting coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was awarded the first prize. Tableau from Assam depicting traditional masks and sastras bagged second prize. Tableau of Chhattisgarh, which depicted Ramgarh’s ancient amphitheatre along with dance performance, based on Kalidasa’s Meghadootam, was awarded the third prize.
In the category of tableaux representing Union Ministries and Departments, the best tableau award has been given to Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for depicting ‘Khelo India’.
In the category of school children items, South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur (Maharashtra) performing ‘Baredi Dance’ from Madhya Pradesh was awarded the first prize. However, North East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur (Nagaland) and Oxford Foundation School, Najafgarh, Delhi awarded consolation prizes for performing Sangrai Mog
Dance of Tripura and Shikshit Bharat, Shashakt Bharat dance respectively.