India celebrated its 75th Republic Day with a colorful parade in Delhi, featuring French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest. The parade showcased the country's cultural heritage and military might. For the first time, an all-women contingent of the army, air force, and navy marched in the parade. A French army contingent also participated. The themes of the parade were 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) and 'Bharat - Loktantra Ki Matruka' (India - the mother of democracy) [24a6003c].
In addition to the parade, Doordarshan memes have taken the internet by storm on Republic Day 2024, bringing back the nostalgia of the state-owned public television broadcasting channel. While Doordarshan is popular on January 26th, the rest of the year witnesses a different story, prompting the internet to unleash a memefest. Doordarshan's YouTube channel is currently hosting a live stream of the Republic Day Parade, attracting over 22 lakh viewers. This year, the parade featured the historic march of the All-Women Tri-Services contingent, symbolizing gender inclusivity and collaborative representation [2faf6bc4], [24a6003c].
Meanwhile, in Moradabad, school students celebrated World Laughter Day by wearing smiley masks and posing for photos. The event took place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, and the photos were taken by IANS. The students brought joy and laughter to the occasion, spreading positivity and happiness [0170e14c].
In Meerut, women found relief from the hot summer weather by covering themselves with scarves. A photo captured the moment on Saturday, May 18, 2024, and was shared by Social News XYZ. The women in Meerut used scarves as a practical and fashionable way to protect themselves from the heat. The photo showcases their resilience and adaptability in dealing with the challenging weather conditions [5e7061e3].
On May 18, 2024, in Amritsar, people covered themselves to protect from scorching heat on a hot summer day. A mother covered herself and her child, while a man covered his head. The photos were taken by Pawan Sharma. The scorching heat in Amritsar prompted people to cover up as a measure of protection. The images highlight the impact of extreme weather conditions on daily life and the adaptive strategies employed by individuals to cope with the heat [7fc06289].
In Agartala, a rickshaw puller beat the heat on a hot summer day by drinking water near a wall adorned with graffiti. The incident took place on May 26, 2024, and the photo was taken by Abhisek Saha. The image showcases the resilience and resourcefulness of individuals in finding ways to cope with the scorching heat. It highlights the challenges faced by people in Agartala during the summer and their ability to adapt to the weather conditions [5f784b0d].
Paris' iconic Champs-Elysees was transformed into a massive picnic area for a unique dining experience. Around 4,000 people were selected via a draw to participate in the event, where they sat on the Champs-Élysées and enjoyed a meal. The picnickers were provided with free baskets of food prepared by top Paris chefs, including restaurants like Fouquet's and McDonald's. Temporary kitchens were set up along the avenue to prepare the food. The sitting area was covered with a giant tablecloth made from 100% recycled fibers, measuring 216 meters in length. The event, which took place two months before the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris, provided participants with a memorable and unconventional dining experience [66624fe4].
On Sunday, June 30, 2024, Paris and the Ile-de-France region offered a variety of activities and events for residents and visitors. Sortiraparis published an article by Julie de Sortiraparis, providing a list of options for outings. The suggestions included exhibitions, film festivals, open-air pools, and free family events. The article also mentioned the extension of Line 14 of the Paris Metro and the availability of the Navigo pass on iPhone. Information on traffic and weather conditions was also provided [8f94d364].
Leeds hosted the annual Armed Forces Day on June 30, 2024, to celebrate and support service men and women. The event, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, featured stalls, exhibitions, and activities on Briggate. The flag-raising event took place on the day itself, followed by a parade led by the West Yorkshire Police Band. Live musical entertainment was provided by the City of Leeds Pipe Band, the Daisy Belles, and Rocky Road. First Bus offered free travel to cadets, veterans, and serving personnel throughout the weekend. The event was part of the month-long Armed Forces Day Festival, which commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Leeds City Council was grateful to the Ministry of Defence for funding the event [126afbcb].
In Ballymahon, the Ballymahon Twinning Group hosted its first-ever Bastille Day celebration on Sunday, July 14. The event included the raising of the French flag in Ballymahon and featured French cuisine, games of French Boules, and cultural entertainment. Bastille Day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, and is a symbol of freedom and national pride in France. The Ballymahon Twinning Group aims to foster cultural exchange and international friendship between Ballymahon and its twin town of Landevant in Brittany, France [c6feb24e].