As the nation celebrates Republic Day, a parade of many firsts held in the shadow of Covid will feature a fly-past of Rafale and other attractions.
India is all set to celebrate its 72nd Republic Day to honour the enactment of the Constitution of India which came into effect on January 26, 1950. Traditionally, the highlight of Republic Day is the iconic parade that showcases India's military prowess and cultural heritage. But this year, the commemoration will be slightly different on account of the pandemic and events in the past year.
As the nation celebrates Republic Day, also known as Gantatra Diwas, a parade of many firsts held in the shadow of Covid will feature a fly-past of Rafale fighter jets, the first tableau from Ladakh and a contingent of Bangladeshi armed forces.
1. Rafale fighter jets
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Rafale fighter jets, instated into the Indian Air Force (IAF) last year, will take part in the parade for the first time and end the flypast with the 'Vertical Charlie' formation, in which the aircraft flies at a low altitude, pulls up vertically and conducts a roll before stabilising.
2. Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, T-90 tanks
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The annual display of India's military might will also include T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system and Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets. (Image: Twitter/IAF_MCC)
3. Bangladesh contingent
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A 122-member proud contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces will also march on Rajpath on Tuesday. "The Bangladesh contingent will carry the legacy of legendary Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh, who fought against oppression and mass atrocities and liberated Bangladesh in 1971," the defence ministry said. India is currently celebrating the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ - Golden Jubilee year - commemorating the country's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. (Image: ANI)
4. Light Combat Aircraft Tejas
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase models of light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas and indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile Dhruvastra on its tableaus during the parade, the ministry noted. (Image: Twitter/DRDO)
5. Ladakh to make debut
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The Union Territory of Ladakh will make its tableau debut in the parade with the Indian Astronomical Observatory, one of the world’s highest sites for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes. (Image: ANI)
6. Multi-launcher rocket system Pinaka
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The Indian Army will showcase the main battle tank T-90 Bhishma, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II-Sarath, mobile autonomous launcher of the Brahmos missile system, multi-launcher rocket system Pinaka, electronic warfare system Samvijay among others during the parade on Tuesday, the Defence ministry noted.
7. Schilika weapon system
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The upgraded Schilika weapon system will make a premier at the Republic Day parade in Rajnath, led by Captain Preeti Choudhary, the only woman contingent commander from the Army. (Image: Twitter/ANI)
