President Draupadi Murmu created history after hosting French President Emmanuel Macron on a horse drawn buggy almost after forty years. Discontinued after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 this colonial era horse buggy were the centre piece captivating everyone alike. Now with Limousines replacing these buggies it is next to impossible to get a hold of these escorted by the Elite cavalry regiment which is more than two hundred and fifty years old. Minimum height of six feet is mandatory for those in this regiment, Macron’s visit was the sixth one by any French official as a reciprocation for PM Modi’s Basille Day honour in Paris last year.
A moment that is almost going to stay in almost everyone’s collective consciousness especially for the grace that was accorded over to Macron. Republic Day witnessed a grand and spectacular show of India,s growing strength and stature over a period of time growing in shape and size over a period of time becoming self reliant in all spheres from defence to energy attracting the focus of major powers across the globe. From soft to smart power, India,s contribution has been totally phenomenal and exemplary from the possession of Rafale fighter jets under technology transfer agreement from France having a huge boost for our defence sector building on its competence and caliber.
Thus, India-France ties are one that of deep trust, mutual and harmonious co existence, co operation and collaboration in different fields and spheres. A true ally with which we had close social and cultural ties be it language and literature French is regarded and revered for its rich heritage and diversity that has been its precious jewel promisory and self assuring. Certainly, hospitality accorded to Macron has been the talk of the town casting light on our attempts to revisit a tradition that with the passage of time has only further evolved rather than decaying