A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) contingent during rehearsals for the upcoming Republic Day parade, on a cold winter morning in New Delhi, Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Highlight
- Amid the ongoing wave, reports say that no foreign chief guest will attend the Republic Day celebrations
- R-Day parade reduced from 70-80 percent to about 5,000-8,000 . will be done
- People will be encouraged to watch the parade on TV and livestreaming
Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana has said that there will be no foreign chief guest from Central Asian countries on Republic Day this year due to the pandemic.
Sources said the government had sent invitations to the heads of state of five Central Asian countries but now the plans have been cancelled.
Also, para-gliders, para-motors, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems, micro-light aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, small-sized piloted aircraft, quadcopters, para-jumping etc. will be launched in Delhi from January 20. Use will be restricted. Till February 15, Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said.
Senior Defense Ministry officials said on Tuesday that the number of people attending the Republic Day parade will drop by 70-80 per cent to around 5,000-8,000 due to the ongoing wave of COVID-19.
About 25,000 people were allowed to attend last year’s parade.
Officials said the aim is to keep people away at all times and maintain social distancing so that the parade does not become a super spreader event. Hence, the numbers have been cut significantly, he said.
Although the exact number is yet to be decided, this year it will be anywhere between 5,000-8,000 people, he noted. He said that people would be encouraged to watch the parade on TV and live streaming it.
Officials said that the decision regarding the chief guests is being handled by the Ministry of External Affairs and we will wait for their decision in this regard.
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