President s bodyguards rehearse for Republic Day Parade, Delhi (Credit: ANI)
NEW DELHI: The 72nd Republic Day celebrations tomorrow will have several firsts and will also miss out on some long-standing traditions for the first time. While the number of visitors, tableaus and participants in the parade will be significantly less this year, the highlights will be the Rafale flypast, a foreign contingent and India’s first woman fighter pilot.
Bangladesh s armed forces contingent to participate
This year, a 122-member contingent from Bangladesh s armed forces will be part of the Republic Day parade. They will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Indo-Pak war that led to the liberation and creation of Bangladesh. This is the first time that a marching contingent from a neighbouring country is being invited to participate in the parade. France has been the other country to feature in a previous year. This will be the third time India will be hosting a foreign contingent to part
Republic Day 2021 will be slightly different on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade will be shorter this year, instead of ending at the Red Fort, it will culminate at National Stadium. However, people will still be able to view the tableaux performance at Red Fort.
The chairman of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), KargilFeroz Ahmed Khan, has written a letter to the Lt. Governor of Ladakh, R K Mathur complaining that Kargil’s religious and cultural ethos have been ignored in the Union Territory’s Republic Day parade tableau.
Stating that since this is the first time ever that Ladakh will have a tableau of its own on Republic Day, LAHDC (Kargil) chairman Feroz Ahmed Khan said that every region should be represented on the tableau.
“It is unfortunate to note that only a single aspect of Ladakhi culture has been incorporated for display on Ladakh’s Republic Day 2021 tableau, thereby failing to showcase the rich and diverse religious-cultural fabric of Ladakh. It is felt that partial representation of the UT at an event as prominent as the Republic Day celebration alienates the people of Kargil district,” Khan’s letter stated. “LAHDC, Kargil, wishes to request you to kindly pass necessary directions to the concerned
Updated Jan 25, 2021 | 23:13 IST
No chief guest, spectator size restricted and Covid protocols in place. Representational Image | Photo Credit: ANI
Key Highlights
Children only above 15 years of age allowed
Marching contingents reduced from 144 to 96
26 January 2021, will go down in history books- as India celebrates its Republic Day but with a difference. With Covid-19 pandemic affecting the world, the celebration may be subdued but the spirits remain high! This year s R-day parade will see many firsts! It will be for the first time in 50 years, India will not have a chief guest at its R-day parade. The day marked with patriotic fervour and enthusiastic celebration is going to be a subdued one.
Republic Day 2021 parade
India will celebrate its 72nd Republic Day on 26 January 2021. The celebrations for this year s Republic Day are set to take place on Tuesday. On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into force. Unlike every year when over one lakh people attend the Republic Day parade, this year celebrations will be toned down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Preparations for Republic Day celebrations in the country are in full swing, and many of you must remember the R-Day parade on DD broadcast live. Movies have often showcased India s valour and vigour. Be it honouring our jawans to showcasing how our freedom fighters gave up their lives to make our India independent. Films have often reflected our future and heritage. And what s a Bollywood film without songs?