New Delhi: India is ready to celebrate the 72nd Republic Day 2021 on Tuesday. However, this year, with Covid-19 protocols in place and farmers’ tractor march in protest scheduled, Republic Day celebrations in the national capital will certainly look different this year.
This year, the size of viewers has also dropped to 25,000 from around 1.25 lakh. Also missing will be the gravity-defying stunts of men on motorcycles. Also missing is the parade of children who receive awards for bravery.
Taking into account social distancing, the size of the ongoing contingents has been reduced from 144 to 96. In addition, all cadre contingents from various states, ministries, and government departments have been tested for Covid.
These are the main key developments:
A total of 32 cadres, 17 from various states and UT, nine from ministries, and six from the defense arm, will be seen passing through Rajpath this year. Among these, cadres from Ladakh, the Union Territory that was created in 2019 after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, will be included for the first time.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no foreign guests will be present at the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2021, something that has been one of the highlights of the annual event.
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory for the Republic Day parade on January 26. “There will be arrangements and traffic restrictions worked out so that the parade and the paintings along with the respective routes run smoothly,” the notice said.
Thirty-two children have been chosen for this year’s Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar for showing courage, exceptional skills, and outstanding achievement in various fields, including arts, culture, archery, and swimming. 16-year-old Jyoti Kumari cycled to her hometown, Bihar’s Darbhanga district from Gurgaon in Haryana, covering around 1,200 km with her father on the rear aircraft carrier amid the national lockdown in May last year. She has been awarded for her bravery.
On Monday, the Delhi Traffic Police called on travelers to avoid the routes where protesting farmers will hold their tractor rally or “Kisan Gantantra Parade” on Republic Day. Farmers unions had completed three routes on Sunday, originating from the Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur border points, for the demonstration.
Delhi police has awarded a Certificate of No Objection (NOC) to the farm tractor rally after farm leaders agreed to 36 conditions in a meeting with police. The organizers agreed to keep the concentration limit of participants in the tractor rally to 5000 people together with 5000 tractors.
Interior Minister Amit Shah met with top Delhi police today to discuss security arrangements for the tractor rally that is scheduled for January 26.
She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.