From Bangladesh's tri-service contingent leading the parade to Ladakh's tableau, India will see several events in the Republic Day for the first time.
India is celebrating the 72nd Republic Day today. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi have been shortened. The programme, which started at 9 am in the morning, concluded at 11:25 am after the traditional flypast.
The Republic Day parade 2021 began on sunny Tuesday morning with strict precautionary measures for coronavirus. The National Flag was unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade commenced with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute.
The parade was commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, Ati Vishisth Seva medal, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area was be the Parade Second-in-Command.
Apart from the shorter route and duration, there were a lot of firsts that are happening this Republic Day. From Bangladesh's tri-service contingent leading the parade to the tableau of Ladakh, and the participation of Rafale jets in the parade, India saw several events in the Republic Day for the first time.
1. Bangladesh tri-service contingent leading Republic Day parade
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For the first time, a marching contingent and band of Bangladesh tri-services participated in the Republic Day Parade to commemorate 50 years of its historic liberation.
The 122-member contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy, and air warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force was led by the contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Abu Mohammed Shahnoor Shawon and his deputies, Lieutenant Farhan Ishraq and Flight Lieutenant Sibat Rahman.
2. First woman fighter pilot in Republic Day parade
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In a proud moment for India, Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth, one of the country's first female fighter pilots, took part in the Republic Day parade. She is the first woman pilot to do so.
Kanth was a part of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) tableau that will showcase mock-ups of the light combat aircraft, light combat helicopter and the Sukhoi-30 fighter jet. Posted at an airbase in Rajasthan, she flies the MiG-21 Bison fighter plane at present.
3. First-ever tableau of Ladakh features in Republic Day parade
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In a first, the tableau of the Union Territory of Ladakh, which came into existence in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, was displayed in this year's Republic Day parade.
The tableau highlighted the 'Vision' for Ladakh to be carbon neutral and exemplary for the world.
4. Newly inducted Rafale jet to conclude the flypast
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This year, the flypast was concluded by the newly inducted flypast who will carry out the spectacular 'Vertical Charlie' manoeuvre. In the manoeuvre, the aircraft flies at low altitude, then pulls up vertically while rolling 360 degrees multiple times.
5. No chief guest on Republic Day for the first time in 55 years
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For the first time in 55 years, there was no chief guest for this year's Republic Day parade. Initially, British PM Boris Jonhson was invited to come to India. However, he was forced to cancel his visit due to the outbreak of a new coronavirus strain in the UK. Before this, India didn’t have a chief guest for the parade in 1952, 1953 and 1966.
6. Reduced number of soldiers in marching contingent
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The marching contingents of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force were also on display. However, due to the coronavirus crisis, the number of soldiers participating in the contingent were reduced to ensure social distancing.
The Army and Navy had only 96 soldiers each instead of 144, while the Air Force had 94.
