As contingent upon contingent marched down Kartavya Path in the majestic and beautiful Republic Day parade, one could say love was in the air. We say this because for the first time ever, two husband and wife pairings participated in the parade — while one marched together, the other couple led their respective contingents.
Meet Captain Supreetha CT and Major Jerry Blaize, belonging to different contingent, but marched together to create history. And then there’s Major Sarabjeet Singh, who led the Sikh Regiment on Kartavya Path, while his wife, Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma, commanded the Indian Coast Guard contingent.
Here’s a deep dive into their stories and what led them to this history-making moment.
A real power couple
On the occasion of India’s 75th Republic Day, India held a spectacular parade which was seen by thousands of people and had French president Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest.
For Major Sarabjeet Singh, the parade is a moment of double joy. Not only did he lead the Indian Army’s Sikh contingent down Kartavya Path, but his wife, Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma, led the Coast Guard contingent.
Major Singh, who hails from Amritsar, said that the moment is a dream come true. “It’s an honour beyond measure,” he was quoted as saying, adding, “What makes it even more special is having my wife, Chunauti, marching alongside me, albeit on a different sea.”
#WATCH | Delhi | Major Sarabjeet Singh says, “…It is a very proud moment for me & my family that someone from my family is here on the Kartavya Path for the first time…It is a dream come true…My wife Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma is leading the Indian Coast Guard… https://t.co/AL2mcItMVU pic.twitter.com/6kCdZVPPNW
— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2024
Before joining the Indian Army, Major Singh served in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during his school days. He then underwent rigorous training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. As an officer, he has been known for his exemplary service; he was honoured with a citation in 2023 from the Chief of Army Staff on Army Day.
For Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma, the moment was also one of celebration and pride. After all, it hasn’t happened that a husband and wife have led respective contingents.
She too started off in the NCC, and, in fact, had participated in the Republic Day parade years ago as a cadet. “When I marched earlier, I was a part of the contingent, and the routine was different… Now leading the Coast Guard is a moment of pride,” she was quoted as telling news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: On Women Officers to lead the Indian Coast Guard Contingent in this year’s Republic Day Parade, Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma says, “When I marched on the Rajpath in NCC, I was a part of the contingent, and the routine was different… Now when I would be… pic.twitter.com/F0UfwbCY07
— ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2024
Speaking about the moment, she said that it was a doubly special for her and the joy she was experiencing was unlike any other.
Major Jerry Blaize and his wife Captain Supreetha CT of the Indian Army have become the first couple to march down the Kartavya Path as members of two different contingents in the Republic Day parade. PTI
Marching into history
While Major Sarabjeet Singh and Assistant Commandant Chunauti Sharma are the first couple to command their respective contingents, there’s also another couple that made history at the Republic Day parade — Major Jerry Blaize and Captain Supreetha CT.
The two were members of two different contingents at the parade at Kartavya Path, marking the first time a couple from the Indian Army will share this honour.
Major Jerry Blaize, originally from Tamil Nadu studied at Jain University and is now a part of Madras Regiment. His wife, Captain Supreetha CT is a graduate of JSS Law College and is now part of the Corps of Military Police contingent.
And according to the couple, who tied the knot in June 2023, this feat was coincidental. Captain Supreetha revealed that initially she had given a test for selection in the parade, and after her selection, her husband Major Jerry Blaize also got selected from his regiment.
Speaking of the achievement, she was quoted as saying, “It is a very proud moment for both of us that we are here with our respective contingents. Our families are equally delighted.”
Interestingly, for both of them, this is their second time being part of the Republic Day parade. Major Jerry Blaize told NDTV, “My wife was part of the NCC contingent in the Republic Day parade in 2016. I got the opportunity to be a part of the NCC Republic Day Camp in New Delhi in 2014.
And did they train together for the Republic Day parade? Major Jerry Blaize told NDTV, “We have had different training. We have a daily routine. We also have to do many hours of drilling.” Captain Supreetha added, “Since I am part of the tableau, I don’t have that much training. But my husband has been trained at the centre.”
All-women contingent of the Military Nursing Services marches past during the 75th Republic Day parade, at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi. PTI
Other firsts at the Republic Day parade
Besides having couples march in the parade for the first time, this year’s parade featured several other firsts.
This year, one of the most prominent features of the Republic Day parade was the all-women tri-services contingent from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Led by 26-year-old Captain Sandhya, the contingent represented jointness, integrity and synergy among the services.
Indian Air Force’s C-295 transport aircraft also debuted at the parade and was part of the flypast at the event. Two Rafale aircraft was also part of the formations in the flypast along with an Airbus A330 multirole tanker transport aircraft.
In addition to this, the Republic Day parade also saw 100 women artistes playing musical instruments instead of the military bands.
With inputs from agencies
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