New Delhi: This year’s Republic Day parade will be different from previous years.
For the first time, the parade will start half an hour late, due to COVID-related restrictions.
The parade will see the Army marching contingents displaying the evolution of uniforms and arms over the years.
There will also be a number of programmes and tableaux to mark the 75th year of India’s Independence, including a celebration of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary.
Following are the new features in the 2022 R-Day Parade:
* The parade will start at 10.30 am, instead of 10 am as has been the tradition all these years
* 3 marching contingents of Indian Army will don uniforms and carry rifles from previous decades, while one contingent will wear the new combat uniform and carry latest Tavor rifles as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrating 75th year of Independence
* Indian Army’s first marching contingent, of Rajput Regiment soldiers, will wear 1950s uniform and carry .303 rifles, while the second contingent, of Assam Regiment, will wear 1960s uniform
* Each marching contingent will comprise 96 soldiers, instead of the usual 144 to ensure COVID protocol
* Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate winners of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Apda Prabandhan Puruskar, for contribution in disaster risk management
* List of invitees will include those who made exemplary contributions to society, including during COVID pandemic, eco-warriors, sanitation workers, next of kin of soldiers, Olympic participants, and exceptional educators, frontline health workers, children bravery awardees, women sarpanches
* Dancers who will perform in the cultural programmes have been selected via a nationwide Vande Bharatam competition at the district level with 480 being chosen from 3800 participants
