New Delhi: Amid the ongoing wave of Covid-19 and rising cases of Omicron, the number of people who would be allowed to attend the Republic Day parade this year would be curtailed by 70-80 per cent — approximately 5,000-8,000 persons, senior officials of the Union Defence Ministry stated this on Tuesday.
Last year, nearly 25,000 persons had attended the Republic Day parade. On the other hand, the Ministry of External authorities are yet to take a call on whether chief guests would be invited this year. There was no chief guest at the parade last year.
Last year, nearly 25,000 persons had attended the Republic Day parade.
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The aim is to maintain social distancing at all times so that the parade amid rising Covid-19 and Omicron cases. Officials said people would be encouraged to watch the parade on TV and livestreaming.
Meanwhile, to encourage a startup led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi, for the first time in the country, a show consisting of 1,000 drones will be held during the Beating Retreat event in the Republic Day celebrations this year, said an official from the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday. After China, Russia and UK, India will be the fourth country to perform drone show.
The aim is to maintain social distancing at all times so that the parade amid rising Covid-19 and Omicron cases.
The official said this year, the Beating Retreat ceremony would also witness projection mapping to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of Independence. "Botlab Dynamics, a start-up incubated at IIT-Delhi, will organise the show where 1,000 drones will configure themselves in multiple formations during the show," he added.
He said all drones were indigenously developed and designed. Indian would become the fourth country after China, Russia and United States to organise such a massive drone show.
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This year, the Beating Retreat ceremony would also witness projection mapping to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of Independence.
Autorickshaw drivers, sanitation workers, frontline workers in list of guests
For the first time, the list of invitees to Republic Day celebrations include autorickshaw drivers, construction workers, sanitation workers and frontline workers. A senior Ministry of Defence official said a special effort had been made to give opportunity who never get a chance to see the Republic Day celebration.
-PTC News