Bangladesh army will also be part of republic day parade.
Key points:
- A Bangladesh Army marching contingent will take place in this year’s Republic Day parade.
- At a time when the two peoples were celebrating the golden anniversary of the birth of Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi contingent was invited to take part in the parade.
- At Rajpath this year, no more than 25,000 visitors will be allowed, compared to more than 100,000 people who normally turn up for the parade.
A Bangladesh Army marching contingent will take place in this year’s Republic Day parade—the second time foreign troops will march down Rajpath as part of India’s largest ceremonial activity, officials aware of the development said that on Saturday.
The Bangladeshi contingent has been asked to take part in the parade:
At a time when the two countries were celebrating the golden anniversary of the birth of Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi contingent was invited to take part in the parade.
A license-produced version of the Chinese Type 81 7.62mm assault rifle, the marching contingent will consist of 96 soldiers and will hold their BD-08 rifles.
More than 10,000 similar assault rifles are manufactured every year by the Bangladesh Ordnance Manufacturers.
As Hindustan Times reported on December 30:
In 2016, once a French army contingent of 130 troops marched down Rajpath, foreign soldiers take place in the march for the very first time. That year, the parade was witnessed by the then French President, Francois Hollande, as the chief guest.
As stated by the Hindustan Times on December 30, this year’s march will be shorter, involving fewer participants and just a fourth of the normal number of spectators, owing to the Covid-19 disease outbreak.
As per the official stated:
At Rajpath this year, no more than 25,000 visitors will be allowed, compared to more than 100,000 people who normally turn up for the parade. Children under 15 years of age will not be allowed to attend the parade.
Instead of the standard square formation, the marching contingents would be seen in a rectangular structure this year as fewer members are allowed in the groups. Compared to 144 in the ordinary course, the teams would only have 96 participants.
The parade’s shorter route will see it finish at the National Stadium rather than the Red Castle, officials confirmed.
Last year’s Independence Day celebrations were also muted:
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic and steps introduced to monitor the spreading of the disease, the Independence Day celebrations last year were also subdued, with fewer VIPs attending the annual event at Delhi’s Red Fort on August 15, while schoolkids missed it completely.
