Republic Day Parade With Many Firsts Amid Covid Restrictions

India will celebrate its 72nd Republic Day today with a shortened programme - scheduled to start at 9 am and conclude after the traditional fly past 11.25 am - because of the coronavirus pandemic. Apart from a reduced list of events, the parade will also have a shorter route, no chief guest, fewer spectators, no children under 15 in the annual parade, and fewer soldiers in the Army and Navy contingents. However, the newly inducted Rafale fighter jet will be among the many stars on show, as will a Bangladeshi tri-service contingent that will lead the parade on the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. A total of 32 tableaus - 17 from states and UTs, six from the Defence Ministry and nine others - will take part. "Wishing all the people of India a Happy Republic Day. Jai Hind!," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted this morning.