New Delhi, Jan 18: For the first time in 75 years, the Republic Day parade will begin 30 minutes later than scheduled time due to Covid-19 restrictions and a tribute to Jammu and Kashmir security personnel. According to a senior police officer, the Republic Day parade used to begin at 10 a.m. every year, but it will begin at 10.30 a.m. this year.
He added the delay is caused due to Covid-19-related restrictions before the parade begins and homage will be paid to security personnel who lost their life in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The parade ceremony will be 90-minute-long like last year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial near the India Gate. Later, contingents will March past. Tableaux will be showcased representing cultural diversity, social and economic progress during the parade,” he added.
The officer added that Tableaux will go till Red Fort and will be parked over there for public display but marching contingents will stop at National Stadium. Due to Covid-19-related restrictions, artists performing in Cultural events on Republic Day are not allowed to meet anyone. They travel in sanitized vehicles and are kept isolated to avoid getting infected.
This year as well no foreign chief guest will take part in the view of third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India’s Republic Day.
The Centre will not reconsider tableau of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu for the Republic Day parade, senior officials of the Defence Minister confirmed on Tuesday.
Tamil Nadu’s tableaux could not make it into the final list of 12 tableaux selected for participation in the Republic Day Parade said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The tableaux from the State government of Tamil Nadu has been selected for participation in R-Day during 2017, 2019,2020, & 2021, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh added.
Republic Day celebrations will begin from January 23 from this year, instead of January 24, in the honour of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The operations of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft among others over the jurisdiction of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has been prohibited in the city from January 20 in view of Republic Day celebrations on January 26, and doing so shall be punishable.
The order will come into force from January 20 and remain in effect till February 15.
