India is all set for the different R-Day parade this year.
Key sentence:
- As during the annual Republic Day march on Tuesday in the unprecedented period of the coronavirus disease outbreak, India is all set to demonstrate its military strength.
- Bhawana Kanth the first female fighter pilot to take participate in the biggest ceremonial celebration in India on January 26.
- At least 122 Bangladesh Armed Forces soldiers will take part in the event.
As during the annual Republic Day march on Tuesday in the unprecedented period of the coronavirus disease outbreak, India is all set to demonstrate its military strength.
As many items have been restricted due to the outbreak, the parade this year will be special, though it will also experience many firsts, such as the appearance of the country’s first female fighter pilot as well as a flypast with Rafale jets.
And here’s the list of main highlights from the Republic Day march this year:
Woman Pilot Fighter:
Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth will also be part of this year’s Republic Day celebration for being the first female fighter pilot to take participate in the biggest ceremonial celebration in India on January 26.
She will also be part of the tableau of the Indian Air Force (IAF) that will display mock-ups of a light military aircraft, the light combat helicopter as well as the fighter plane Sukhoi-30.
Flypast by Rafale jets:
Newly inducted Rafale jets would also appear in this year’s event, along with 42 additional aircraft. These aircraft, include 15 fighter jets, five transport aircraft, 21 helicopters as well as a vintage Dakota aircraft, will take the form of various formations during the airshow.
A Rafale aircraft will be flying two Jaguars as well as two MiG-29 jet fighters in one of the flypast configurations, which will wrap up another manoeuvre by the Rafale.
Armed Forces of Bangladesh:
At least 122 Bangladesh Armed Forces soldiers will take part in the event. This is just the third time after independence that an international military team has been invited to take part in the national parade, as per a press statement released by the High Commission of India of Dhaka.
Troops in masks:
Following the latest Covid-19 standards, along with spectators, soldiers marched down the Rajpath can also be seen wearing a mask. Also, the number of officials taking part in the parade was reduced to 96. There had been a 12×12 contingent scheme earlier that had 144 troops.
Schilika weapons system including woman commander:
For the very first time this year, the updated Schilika weapon system would roll down at Rajpath throughout the Republic Day march, led by the military’s only woman contingent commander.
Sculpture of Ram Mandir:
The tableau of Uttar Pradesh will display a replica of the presently under construction Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The history, custom, and art connected to the temple town would also be displayed.
Things that are going to be missed this year:
No guest-in-chief:
This year’s celebration will be the first Republic Day march in more than five decades to be held without even a chief guest. Mostly during the Republic Day march in 1952, 1953, and also 1966, there were no chief guests prior to this.
No stunts for motorcycles:
There will also be one significant event absent this year that often draws cheers during the parade – stunts on bikes by the army including paramilitary forces personnel.
No parade by veterans:
Because of the disease outbreak, the veterans’ parade by retired soldiers and women, too, has been taken off the program list, and thus the parade by winners of the national bravery awards.
