With the Government following strict social distancing protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Republic Day parade will be shorter, and will involve only a fourth of the usual number of visitors at Rajpath to witness one of India’s biggest ceremonial events, say reports.
The size of the marching contingents from the armed forces and the paramilitary will also be smaller, and have 96 participants in each, compared to 144 in the ordinary course, officials said. The shortened route of the parade will see it end at the National Stadium instead of the Red Fort, and the number of cultural programmes will also be fewer.
No more than 25,000 spectators will be allowed at Rajpath this year, compared to over 1,00,000 people who usually turn up for the parade. Children below the age of 15 will not be permitted at the parade, according to media reports.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations were also muted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
