Celebrations cut short by 25 mins to break monotony, address security concerns

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 1

This year’s Republic Day Parade will be shorter by 25 minutes to address security concerns and break the monotony of witnessing repetitive marching contingents of uniformed personnel.The parade, which marks the country’s annual show of military might and cultural diversity, will be 90 minutes long, down from 116 minutes in 2015. Even “Beating the Retreat” on January 29 to mark the end of the Republic Day celebrations will see new “fusion” music instead of the long tradition of only military music.The march-past — conducted down the Rajpath, New Delhi’s central vista at the India Gate — has been trimmed in terms of number of marching contingents. The parade is organised by the Ministry of Defence.Officials said the decision had been taken at the “highest level”. After a review of last year’s parade, in which US President Barack Obama was the chief guest, it was felt the march-past was too long, said senior officials today.The authorities also took into view the monotony of witnessing almost-identical marching contingents and the security risk surrounding VVIPs, who remained seated for longer periods out in the open.Unlike previous R-Day celebrations, all tableaux and music bands will be showcased for three days — till January 29 — at the Red Fort. The bands will play at regular intervals. Sources said the number of Army marching contingents had been reduced from eight to six. Marching contingents of the Navy had also been reduced. The IAF will put up a single marching contingent.Unlike previous years, veterans will also not march past the Rajpath this year. Instead, they will ride in a truck-mounted tableau.The six central paramilitary forces will put up only three marching contingents instead of one each. The flypast by the IAF, however, has been retained.The Navy will showcase its “Make in India” efforts by putting up models of under-production indigenously made aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and submarine INS Kalvari.The IAF will showcase its “Humanitarian and Disaster Relief” activity during the year. The force had last year rescued 14,000 people in different operations in Yemen, Nepal and Chennai.The Army will go out with its theme “Marching ahead with Incredible India”. The bullet proof enclosure this year will have a roof, unlike last year when dignitaries sat through pouring rain. French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest this year.

The changes

• This year’s parade will be 90 minutes long, down from 116 minutes in 2015
• The ‘Beating the Retreat’ on January 29 will see ‘fusion’ music, besides military music
• All tableaux and music bands will be showcased for three days at the Red Fort
• Veterans will not march past the Rajpath and will be part of a tableau
• The bullet proof enclosure will have a roof