Mangalyaan, Swacch Abhiyan inspire R-Day performances

New Delhi, Jan 18: India's maiden Mars mission 'Mangalyaan' and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship project 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan' are among the themes of the cultural performances at the Republic Day parade this year.

A total 1200 students, from six schools and various cultural centres, will participate in the event, which will also feature traditional dances from the states of Gujarat, Modi's home state, and Maharashtra.

The students of Government Girls Secondary School, Nathupura will perform a dance called "Swachh Banaye Bharat", representing the cleanliness drive.

"The students have tried to show ways in which modern cleanliness drive can be carried out," said Shri Satpal, Additional Director of Directorate Of Education, Delhi.

The Mangalyaan mission will also be represented in a two-minute dance performance by students of Red Rose Public School, Delhi, who will celebrate the country's scientific feat, Satpal added.

Other performances being showcased in the parade focus on the theme of potential of youths in fields of sports, science and technology.

"Each program will be for 2-3 minutes. It's a challenge to manage everything in such a short duration where children have to enter, exit and also perform," the official said, adding, the total duration of the performances will be 17-18 minutes.

The aim of bringing together students in the program is to initiate a dialogue of understanding about the significance of the day, he said.

PTI