All States, Union Territories may get to showcase tableau once in three years

The Defence Ministry has proposed a rollover plan for the States and Union Territories (UT) to showcase their tableaux, according to official sources

In the backdrop of repeated controversies over selection of tableaux for the Republic Day parade and complaints from the States year after year, the Defence Ministry has proposed a rollover plan for the States and Union Territories (UT) to showcase their tableaux, according to official sources.

“Approximately 15 tableaux from the States and Union Territories are selected for the Republic Day parade every year. So everyone cannot be accommodated each year. Under the agreement, every State and UT will get an opportunity within three years. This is to ensure equitable distribution,” an official source in the know said.

Also read: Selection of tableaux for the Republic Day parade | Explained

Discussions were held three or four times with Resident Commissioners from various States and UTs at a meeting chaired by the Defence Secretary. A three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been proposed. Subsequently, a draft agreement was circulated and 28 States have signed it so far,” a second source said.

“To fast-track the participation of tableaux year-wise, willingness of States and UTs was sought in advance for the next three years for their participation in Republic Day Parade, 2024, 2025 and 2026. In response, most of the States/UTs conveyed their willingness for all the three years,” the first source said. To encourage new and fresh talent, the Ministry of Culture empanelled 30 agencies for design and fabrication of tableaux through a open selection process. The States/UTs were advised to engage these agencies following an appropriate procedure, the first source added.

After four rounds of meetings, 16 States and UTs, like every year, were selected — Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. “The States that could not get an opportunity were invited to showcase their tableaux at Bharat Parv from January 23 to 31, 2024, at Red Fort,” the second source said. “The list shows that the tableaux of Opposition-ruled States of Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Meghalaya have been selected by the Expert Committee for RDP-2024. On the other hand, States such as Uttarakhand and Goa have not been selected.”

So far 28 States, including Karnataka, are a signatory to the MoU. In accordance with the MoU, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, Assam and Uttarakhand will take part in the Bharat Parv at Red Fort, sources stated.