1000’s of Indians have braved chilly morning temperatures to collect on a ceremonial boulevard within the capital New Delhi to observe a show of the nation’s navy energy and cultural variety, although the colorful spectacle was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost 500 schoolchildren, people dancers, police and navy battalions, floats and stunt performers on motorbikes paraded from the presidential palace by way of the refurbished, tree-lined Rajpath Boulevard on Wednesday.
President Ram Nath Kovind took the salute from the marching columns, which additionally included a camel-mounted Border Safety Power regiment, its moustachioed riders led by shiny brass bands with tubas.
The 90-minute parade ended with a flypast that includes 75 air power fighters, together with Rafale jets, transport planes and helicopters.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Nationwide Struggle Memorial in New Delhi, the place he laid a wreath as he paid his respects throughout a ceremony additionally attended by navy personnel.
Solely double-vaccinated adults and single-dose vaccinated youngsters of 15 and above have been allowed to attend the parade.
With COVID-19 instances surging across the nation, attendance was slashed to between 5,000 and eight,000 from final yr’s 25,000, and there have been no international company of honour.
Republic Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the nation’s structure on January 26, 1950. India received independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
To permit the parade to go forward, staff additionally rushed to finish building work on a multibillion-dollar revamp of a authorities advanced within the coronary heart of New Delhi that can embody a brand new parliament constructing.
Critics have referred to as the overhaul of the world lined with colonial-era buildings and bushes a useless and wasteful self-importance undertaking for Modi.