72nd R-Day parade ended at venue where first R- Day celebrations were held
NEW DELHI, Jan 29: The ceremonial parade at the heavily curtailed 72nd Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath this year ended at the National Stadium, the venue where the very first grand event was held on January 26, 1950 to declare India’s transition from a Dominion to a Republic.
The maiden celebrations marking the birth of the Republic of India was not held on Rajpath, the historical avenue that has over time become synonymous with the anniversary ceremony, but it was an amphitheatre named after an erstwhile Viceroy that became the venue for the festivities after the country got its first president.
NEW DELHI: The ceremonial parade at the heavily curtailed 72nd Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath this year ended at the National Stadium, the venue where the very first grand event was held on January 26, 1950 to declare India’s transition from a Dominion to a Republic.
The maiden celebrations marking the birth of the Republic of India was not held on Rajpath, the historical avenue that has over time become synonymous with the anniversary ceremony, but it was an amphitheatre named after an erstwhile Viceroy that became the venue for the festivities after the country got its first president.
On Tuesday, only 25,000 spectators compared to the 1.25 lakh people last year watched the mega event from the sidelines of the boulevard, as the parade wended its way to culminate at the National Stadium instead of the regular end point at the Red Fort, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Delhi: India had celebrated its first Republic Day on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India came into effect. On that day, the parade took