No motorbike stunts, no bravery awards, fewer spectators: New regular at Republic Day parade

Several adjustments will likely be seen within the Republic Day parade this time — from removing of bike stunts to the inclusion of the tableau of the Union Territory of Ladakh for the primary time.
The Union Territory of Ladakh was created in 2019 after the BJP authorities bifurcated Jammu & Kashmir. Ladakh’s tableau will depict the Thikse Monastery, and can comprise 5 girls in an 11-member contingent. “The Ladakh tableau highlights the vision for Ladakh to be carbon-neutral, and exemplary for the world. It also showcases the Indian Astronomical Observatory, located in Hanle near Leh, one of the world’s highest sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes,” based on tableaux particulars shared by officers.
The pandemic has additionally led to a number of adjustments in the best way Republic Day celebrations will likely be held. While gravity-defying stunts by motorcycle-borne males will likely be lacking, the spectator measurement too has been decreased to 25,000 from round 1.25 lakh final yr. The parade of youngsters who obtain bravery awards can even be lacking. Keeping in thoughts social distancing, the scale of marching contingents has been decreased from 144 to 96.
A complete of 32 tableaux — 17 of assorted states and UTs, 9 of ministries and 6 from the defence arm — will likely be seen taking place Rajpath this yr. They will cease at National Stadium as an alternative of following the common path to the Red Fort. The Uttar Pradesh tableau will function a reproduction of the Ram Temple being inbuilt Ayodhya, amongst different issues. Among the departments, the Department of Biotechnology will showcase pre-trial and post-trial phases of the manufacturing of the Covid vaccine in India.
For the primary time in 55 years, there can even be no chief visitor at this yr’s parade, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed “regret” that he wouldn’t be capable to go to India.
All members of the tableaux contingents from varied states, ministries and authorities departments have undergone Covid testing.

The contingent of 61 Cavalry will likely be led by a horse that has attended the parade for the final 18 years. The horse is 21 years previous, a yr older than when the animal often retires.The contingent from Bangladesh will mark the third occasion of a navy contingent from a pleasant overseas nation collaborating within the parade — the primary was France in 2016, after which UAE in 2017.
Ninety per cent of the Territorial Army’s contingent includes individuals from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who’re coming to the mainland for the primary time.
(with PTI inputs)