AP PHOTOS: Marchers march for India’s Republic Day parade
By MANISH SWARUP
NEW DELHI (AP) – With a sword and a turban in the colors of his regiment, Indian Army Major Piyush Sharma thundered: ‘Troops, get ready to march.’
At his command, the camel regiment – its snooty riders led by shiny copper tires with glittering tubas – quickly pulled off a boulevard in the Indian capital on Friday in a rehearsal for the annual Republic Day parade.
“I can not describe my feelings in words. It is such an honor to lead my contingent, ”said Sharma (28).
Republic Day is the anniversary of the adoption of the country’s constitution on January 26, 1950. Thousands gather on Rajpath, a ceremonial boulevard in New Delhi, to watch a flamboyant display of the country’s military power and cultural diversity. Schoolchildren, folk dancers, police and military battalions march along the parade route, followed by a display of military equipment.
But what goes behind the precision parade – which is broadcast live and watched by millions of Indians across the country – is weeks and weeks of practice in the bitter winter cold.
As a result of a fiery nationwide campaign to ward off the coronavirus, participants in this year’s rehearsals covered their faces in masks.
The crowd that came to watch was thin and braved a fog and cold as they stood along the sides of the boulevard.
Due to the pandemic, spectators during the Republic Day parade next Tuesday will be restricted from doing social work, and some events will be canceled.
In 1947, India gained independence from the British colonial government.