The Hindu : National : Shorter Republic Day parade this year

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Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009
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Shorter Republic Day parade this year

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Republic Day parade, an annual feature showcasing military might, cultural heritage and development of the country, will have a shorter run this year.

Over the years, the parade, which begins at the base of Raisina Hill and winds it way to the Red Fort, has taken about two hours. Last year, the duration was 110 minutes.

This year, the time could be slashed by 30 minutes, said officials in the Defence Ministry, which is primarily responsible for putting up the grand show that usually ends with a fly-past by the Indian Air Force.

One of the reasons for time reduction is to accommodate a ceremony preceding the parade, at which the President presents Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry medals. There would be a drastic reduction in cultural programmes by schoolchildren, the officials said.

The officials said that over the past few years media reports suggested that the parade duration be shortened. The route itself was curtailed a few years ago with the parade moving from the India Gate roundabout towards Bahadurshah Zafar Marg and on to Red Fort, skipping Connaught Circus and Chandini Chowk. The parade itself is split into two parts, with the marching contingents doing the entire stretch from the Rajpath to the Red Fort while those presenting the cultural pageantry and schoolchildren stop at the National Stadium, close to the India Gate roundabout.

In the days ahead of the parade, people in Delhi have witnessed diversions and traffic regulation as movement on the Rajpath segment is restricted for allowing the participants to practise.

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