Regret, No Alcohol in Stores Today: List of States Designating January 26 as “Dry Day”
Andaman & Nicobar Island, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and other states have all proclaimed January 26 to be a dry day. It should be mentioned that most states observe “dry days” on national holidays; nonetheless, regional customs and cultures may cause different alcoholic prohibitions.
Meanwhile, states like Gujarat, Nagaland, Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Bihar, and Mizoram have outright and formally outlawed alcohol. A few districts in Manipur have also implemented partial bans.
An estimated five billion liters of alcohol were used in India in 2020; by 2024, that number is expected to rise to almost 6.21 billion liters, according to a Statista analysis. There are many reasons for the rise in the consumption of these drinks, including increased levels of disposable income and an increasing number of people living in cities.
India will be quite patriotic on January 26. This year’s parade, which is centered around the twin themes of “Viksit Bharat” and “Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka,” is expected to feature approximately 13,000 Special Guests. This initiative aims to give people from diverse backgrounds a chance to participate in the festivities and support Jan Bhagidari during this national festival.
For the first time, more than a hundred female musicians performing Indian musical instruments will lead the march. These female musicians would open the march with songs from Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc. Additionally, it will see the first-ever march along the Kartavya Path by an all-female Tri-Service contingent. During the Fly-past, female pilots will also captivate the crowd as they represent Nari Shakti. Only female troops will make up the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) contingents.
The Republic Day procession is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. and last around ninety minutes. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will lead the country in laying a wreath in remembrance of the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial to begin the program. The Prime Minister and other dignitaries will then watch the parade from the saluting dais at Kartavya Path.
The National Anthem will be played, and the flag will be unfurled as per tradition. Native 105-mm Indian Field Guns will be used to deliver a thunderous 21-gun salute. The 105 Helicopter Unit’s four Mi-17 IV helicopters will drop petals of flowers on the spectators gathered at Kartavya Path. The next event is ‘Aavaahan’, a band concert with more than a hundred women musicians representing Nari Shakti with a variety of percussion instruments.
The President will then salute and the procession will begin. Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, a second-generation Army officer, will lead the parade. The parade second-in-command will be Major General Sumit Mehta, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Delhi Area.
Notably, a joint band and marching detachment of the French Armed Forces will pass by the Kartavya Path. Captain Khourda will lead a 30-person music contingent, while Captain Noel will lead a 90-person marching group. As the contingents march by the saluting dais, two Rafale fighter planes and one Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft from the French Air & Space Force will soar above.
