Republic Day parade: Uttar Pradesh wins best tableau award, Karnataka bags second spot
New Delhi(PTI): Uttar Pradesh's tableau at the Republic Day parade was adjudged the best while the Indian Navy's marching contingent topped among the three services, the defence ministry said on Friday.
The tableau of Uttar Pradesh was based on the theme 'one district one product and Kashi Vishwanath Dham'. A total of 12 states and union territories had participated in the Republic Day parade on January 26.
The second place went to Karnataka for its tableau based on 'cradle of traditional handicrafts' while the third position went to Meghalaya, the defence ministry said.
The tableau of the northeastern state was based on Meghalaya's 50 years of statehood and its tribute to women-led cooperative societies and self-help groups.
The tableaux of the ministry of education and the ministry of civil aviation have been declared as joint winners in the category of central ministries and departments.
The theme of the tableau of the ministry of education and the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship was 'National Education Policy'.
The tableau of the ministry of civil aviation was based on the theme 'Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik'. Nine tableaux of central ministries/departments had participated in the parade.
The tableaux of the ministry of housing and urban affairs (CPWD) was selected for the special prize category.
"The Indian Navy marching contingent has been adjudged as the best marching contingent among the three services," the defence ministry said.
For the first time, the general public was invited to vote for the best marching contingents and best tableaux in the popular choice category through the MyGov platform.
The online poll was conducted between January 25-31.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) received maximum votes on MyGov as the best marching contingent among Central Armed Police Forces(CAPF)/other auxiliary forces.
The defence ministry said Maharashtra was voted as the best tableau among the states/union territories in the popular choice category. The tableau of Maharashtra was based on the theme 'biodiversity and state bio-symbols of Maharashtra'.
According to popular choice, the marching contingent of the Indian Air Force has been picked as the best marching contingent among the three services.
"The second place went to Uttar Pradesh (popular choice), while the tableau of Jammu and Kashmir on the theme 'Changing face of Jammu and Kashmir' finished third," the defence ministry said.
"The tableau of the ministry of communication/department of posts was adjudged as the best tableau among central ministries/departments based on people's selection," it added.
The defence ministry said a three-member panel of judges were appointed for assessing the performances at the parade.
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Jaishankar holds talks with Russia's Lavrov; trade, geopolitics top agenda
New Delhi (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held "productive" talks on Wednesday to advance bilateral cooperation in energy and trade amid shifting geopolitical tensions.
Jaishankar met Lavrov, shortly after the Russian foreign minister landed in New Delhi to attend a two-day conclave of the BRICS member states beginning Thursday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and South Africa's Minister for International Relations Ozzy Lamola are among those who already arrived in the national capital for the BRICS foreign ministerial meeting.
Jaishankar and Lavrov are learnt to have deliberated on the West Asia crisis as well as the Ukraine conflict.
In a social media post, the external affairs minister described his talks with his Russian counterpart as "productive exchange of views".
"Our conversation touched upon several aspects of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, including trade and investment, energy and connectivity, science and technology, as well as facilitating mobility of skills and talent," he said.
"Other global and multilateral issues of mutual interest were also discussed," he said.
It is not immediately known if India's procurement of Russian crude oil figured in the talks.
In his televised opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said India and Russia have a shared interest in strengthening multipolarity and could benefit through greater "de-risking" .
"The last few years have seen a steady and sustained growth in our bilateral partnership. Its economic and energy dimensions have become pronounced. Our political cooperation is even more valuable in an uncertain and volatile global environment," Jaishankar said.
"We have expanded our collaboration in science and technology. The mobility of talents and skills has acquired greater salience and our interest in ensuring better connectivity is deeper," he said.
"The complicated international situation also merits an open exchange of views, especially between two trusted partners," he said.
The external affairs minister said India and Russia have a shared interest in strengthening multipolarity.
Jaishankar also held separate bilateral talks with Brazilian Foreign Minister Vieira South Africa's Ozzy Lamola.
The external affairs minister also met Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam.
"Underlined our Neighbourhood First policy and reviewed our bilateral cooperation. Reiterated India's commitment to Maldives' progress and development," he said on X.
India, as the chair of the BRICS, is hosting the conclave of the foreign ministers ahead of the annual summit of the grouping in September.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025.
It has emerged as an influential grouping as it brings together 11 major emerging economies of the world, representing around 49.5 per cent of the global population, around 40 per cent of the global GDP and around 26 per cent of the global trade.
The BRICS meeting will be chaired by Jaishankar.
