22 Republic Days and counting…this musician plays on

NEW DELHI - When Master Chief Petty Officer Musician Ramesh Chand Katoch strides down Rajpath this Jan 26, it will be the 23rd time in a row he will be doing so as he leads the naval band for the Republic Day parade.

Standing tall in his immaculate black uniform, Katoch feels proud of having been part of so many Republic Day ceremonies.

“I feel very proud as I walk down Rajpath. It has been 22 years now but the enthusiasm has not worn down,” Katoch told IANS.

The 49-year-old Master Chief Musician 1st Class, who joined the Indian Navy in April 1981, started participating in the naval band, playing the flute at the Republic Day parade in 1987.

“Besides participating in the parade for 22 years, I have also led the naval band for 12 years,” Katoch said with a glint of pride in his eyes.

Even though Katoch has over two decades of experience of participating in the parade, there is no let-up in practice.

“We wake up around 4.30 a.m. and march down from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate two-three times practicing our tunes,” Katoch said.

A native of Himachal Pradesh, he has seen many a youngster join the 72-member band before his eyes and says he often motivates them to brave the biting cold during rehearsals.

“Generally the youngsters feel very cold. I motivate them by telling them that the early morning parade is good for their health and should be a proud moment for them,” said Katoch.

While the naval band plays 20-25 tunes during the parade, his personal favourite remains the naval song, which the band plays while marching past the saluting dias occupied by the president.

From playing flute in his village in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district to leading the Indian Navy’s band at Rajpath, Katoch has come a long way.

“I used to play a flute in my village. So, my father thought I could be a good musician and I joined the Indian Navy.”

“Music is a constant learning process. While there was a basic training for one year, I am still learning music,” Katoch added and hoped he would go on to complete his silver jubilee at the country’s Republic Day parade.