India will begin Republic Day celebrations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the hologram statue of freedom fighter Netaji Subash Chandra Bose in Delhi.
The government recently said that Republic Day celebrations will now begin every year from January 23 instead of January 24 to include the birth anniversary of Bose.
Made of granite, the “grand statue” statue will be installed at India Gate.
“At a time when the entire nation is marking the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, I am glad to share that his grand statue, made of granite, will be installed at India Gate. This would be a symbol of India’s indebtedness to him,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.
“Till the grand statue of Netaji Bose is completed, a hologram statue of his would be present at the same place. I will unveil the hologram statue on 23rd January, Netaji’s birth anniversary,” he tweeted.
The hologram statue will be powered by a 30,000 lumens 4K projector. The size of the hologram statue is 28 feet in height and 6 feet in width.
“An invisible, high gain, 90 per cent transparent holographic screen has been erected in such a way so that it is not visible to visitors. The 3D image of Netaji will be projected on it to create the effect of a hologram,” a release said.
During the programme, the Prime Minister will also confer the Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskars, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in the investiture ceremony. A total of seven awards will be presented during the ceremony.
Union government has instituted the annual Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organisations in India in the field of disaster management, the release said.