Bhubaneswar: A Juang couple, Ratnakar and Sulochana, of Talasumatha village in Keonjhar district are a special invitee to Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Saturday.
They will enjoy the parade and other entertainment programmes from the VIP gallery.
The couple clad in tradition attire and accompanied by Welfare Extension Officer Narahari Patra reached New Delhi on Wednesday. During their 10-day stay, they will meet the President, Vice-President and other Union Ministers.
“We are very happy to have got this opportunity to witness the parade from the VIP gallery in New Delhi. It is a proud moment for the Juang community. We will requested the President and the Prime Minister to help provide better education facilities in our village,” said the couple, who will be putting up at Nehru Yuvakendra hostel in New Delhi.
Ratnakar and Sulochana eke out a living by farming in their village and send all their five children to school.
Notably, Ministry of Tribal Affairs invites tribals from across the country to attend the parade every year.
Last year, a couple belonging to Lanjia Saura tribal community in Gajapati district had attended the R-Day parade.
