Gandhinagar: Gujarat’s tableau, titled “From Anartpur to Ektanagar – A Wonderful Confluence of Heritage and Development,” presented at the 76th Republic Day National Parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, has won first place in the ‘Popular Choice Award’ category for the third consecutive year.
The award distribution ceremony for the tableaux was held today at Jhankar Hall in the National Rang Shala Shibir, New Delhi. Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth presented the trophy and citation to Smt. Avantika Singh Aulakh, Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Department received the honour on behalf of the Government of Gujarat. Director of Information Shri K. L. Bachani and Joint Director Dr. Sanjay Kachot remained present on the occasion. Shri Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Director-Ceremonial, Shri Vikas Kumar and Shri Shiv Kumar, Officer on Special Duty at the Ministry of Defence, remained present.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel has conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Gujarat, celebrating this proud milestone as the state’s tableau continues to lead in the Popular Choice category for three years in a row. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his belief that Gujarat is successfully embodying Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra of “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” through public participation and will continue leading in the years to come. At the 76th Republic Day National Parade, 31 tableaux representing various states and government departments were displayed along the parade route in New Delhi.
Gujarat’s tableau, presented by the Information Department showcased the state’s remarkable journey of modern development, rooted in the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, while also paying tribute to its rich and enduring heritage. Citizens were given the opportunity to vote online for their preferred tableaux in the “Popular Choice” category during the parade. This transparent and innovative approach is inspired by the Hon’ble PM’s vision. Gujarat has emerged as the winner for the third consecutive year.
Since its debut in the 74th Republic Day National Parade in 2023, Gujarat has been winning the Popular Choice category. The first of these was the tableau “Clean Green Energy-rich Gujarat,” showcasing the state’s commitment to fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of maximizing renewable energy use. In the 75th Republic Day National Parade, Gujarat’s tableau “Dhordo, World’s Best Tourism Village-UNWTO” also claimed first place in the Popular Choice category. Additionally, this tableau secured second place in the Jury’s Choice for Excellence of Tableaus in 2024. Building on this legacy of excellence, Gujarat has now achieved an impressive hat-trick, securing first place for the third consecutive year in the 76th Republic Day National Parade.
Presented on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, the tableau “Swarnim Bharat: Heritage and Development” portrayed the harmonious blend of cultural heritage and development, not only of Gujarat but of the entire nation. The Gujarat tableau began with the 12th-century ‘Kirti Toran’ from Vadnagar, a symbol of the Solanki era, and seamlessly transitioned to the awe-inspiring ‘Statue of Unity,’ while also highlighting Gujarat’s self-reliance in key sectors such as defence, technology, automobiles, and manufacturing. Key developments featured included the C-295 aircraft production unit, semiconductor chip manufacturing, and the landmark Atal Bridge. At one end of the tableau stood the iconic ‘Kirti Toran,’ while at the other end soared the majestic ‘Statue of Unity,’ the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel, standing at 182 meters. Infusing energy and colour, the tableau presented the vibrant ‘Maniyaro’ raas, with dynamic dance performances set to a fusion of traditional yet modern Duha music. The Maniyaro raas also achieved third place in the cultural program competition among tableau artists from across the nation.
