Republic Day: Shorter parade, lesser crowd due to Covid-19

This Republic Day will see a shorter parade, with smaller marching contingents and fewer cultural performances due to Covid crisis. The parade will begin from Vijay Chowk, as usual, but will culminate at the National Stadium instead of ending at the Red Fort. So, it will cover a distance of 3.3 km as compared to the normal 8.2 km. The number of spectators has also been reduced to around 25,000 compared to the average of 1.3 lakh people every year. Children and elderly have not been allowed this time as a precaution against Covid. A contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces will also take part in the parade in view of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1971 war of liberation. There is no chief guest this year.