Sonali Sahu from Odisha's Kalahandi district will lead the NCC girls' contingent at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi this year. Sonali is an undergraduate student of Prananath College in Khurda. She is 19 years old and is from Gurujung village in Kalahandi's Kegaon Tehsil. Sonali had to face tough competition to get selected as the leader of the contingent. The cadets have been rehearsing for the final parade from January 5 while the full dress rehearsal was held on Tuesday. Artists from Odisha will also perform Odissi sahi jata and jhumura dances at the parade in New Delhi this year. The theme for this year's Republic Day parade is "Nari Shakti or Women Empowerment."
