Friday, July 14, 2023

France hosts India on Bastille Day 2023

Happy Bastille Day, the third patriotic holiday in July I observe on this blog! I begin today's celebration of "Fête Nationale Française" with France 24 English asking and answering Bastille Day: What is the meaning of 'Le chant des partisans' ?

France celebrates Bastille Day, which marks the fall of the Bastille prison in 1789, seen as igniting the French Revolution. 'Le chant des partisans' was part of the celebrations. '"Le chant des partisans" is the perfect symbol of resistance during WWII', French Army Major Antoine explains.
I learned something new from this segment and it's always a good day when I learn something new.

India brought its own marching band, which played one of its country's patriotic songs. The Indian Defence Updates channel uploaded Indian Contingent at French Bastille Day Military Parade 2023 featuring that performance.

The Indian military contingent marched to the beats of ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha’ even as a compliment of Rafale fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade. The Punjab Regiment led the march and was followed by the Indian Navy and then the Air Force as the left their mark at the annual parade to mark the historic fall of Bastille in 1789.
The Indian army, navy, and air force units formed the tricolor of the French flag as they marched down the parade route — nice touch!

France 24 English explained the presence of the Indian units in 'The degree of proximity that India and France share on the world stage is virtually unrivalled'.

India is the guest of honor at this year’s Bastille Day parade, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi watching in the VIP tribune alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. About 240 Indian troops led the march down the Champs-Elysees before thousands of French forces, and French-made Indian warplanes joined the traditional flyby above the event. France often showcases international partners on Bastille Day, and the choice of India comes as France looks to further strengthen cooperation on fighting climate change, military sales and the strategic Indo-Pacific region. But human rights were missing from the vast agenda, despite concerns raised by European lawmakers, rights groups and others. Joining FRANCE 24's William Hilderbrandt on Bastille Day is author, economist and commentator on geostrategic affairs Saurav Jha. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Delhi Defence Review.
Saurav Jha tried to downplay India as a counterweight to China, but he couldn't avoid the comparisons and contrasts. His point that consumption composes 60% of India's GDP to 30% of China's struck me. What that means is that India is a better market for exporters, which makes it attractive to other countries to not only invest in India to make things, but to sell them, too. That's a selling point.

Follow over the jump for videos about two other holidays that share today with Bastille Day.

I couldn't resist sharing National Day Calendar's National French Fry Day | Second Friday in July.

On the second Friday in July, we recognize an American favorite known as the French fry on National French Fry Day.

#NationalFrenchFryDay
French fries, also known as chips, fries, finger chips, or French-fried potatoes, are batons of deep-fried potatoes. No matter what we call them, they’re common fixtures at fast-food restaurants and are loved by all ages!
As the video points out, today's featured food is actually Belgian, but I don't think my readers will mind.

Today is also National Grand Marnier Day, so I'm concluding today's post with Theme Park Bar's Grey Goose and Grand Marnier Slush inspired by EPCOT's France Pavilion.

This week on Theme Park Bar we're heading to EPCOT's World Showcase for one of my favorite spots to cool off, Les Vins de Chefs de France. Known for their icy cold Grey Goose Citron and Grand Marnier slushies it's the perfect spot to cool off and enjoy our first 2-4-1 episode as we'll be making BOTH drinks!

Grey Goose Citron Slush
2oz Grey Goose Citron
2oz Sweet & Sour Mix
1oz Simple Syrup

Grand Marnier Sluch
1oz Grand Marnier
1oz Grey Goose Vodka
2oz Sweet & Sour Mix
1oz Simple Syrup
To recycle what I wrote two years ago, "Vive la France (Pavilion)! Liberté, Egaliteé, Fraternité!"

1 comment:

  1. Thanks to Infidel753 for linking to me in Link round-up for 16 July 2023 at his blog and welcome to all of you who came here from that link! Also, welcome to all my Singaporean, Ukrainian, British, Canadian, Finnish, Dutch, Belgian, Indian, Japanese, and other international readers. I appreciate all of you, especially my Singaporean readers, who contributed nearly 5,000 page views this week, more than twice as many as my American readers! Wow!

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