Top 5 Things Make 2016 Republic Day Special

1) Indian Army Dog Squad

Army’s Veterinary Corp – The Dogs are some of India’s most important and highly trained but rarely seen specialists will march at India’s Republic Day parade on 26th January 2016 after 26 years.

The canine team of 36 will be part of parade at Rajpath on Republic day this year.

The dogs, including 24 Labradors and 12 German Shepherds, are specialists in detecting explosives and landmines, avalanche rescue and tracking.

2) French Contingent

French President François Hollande will be guest of honour at the India’s 67th Republic Day this year. For the very first time in the history of India Republic day parade, a foreign contingent — 130 French soldiers — will march down Rajpath along with Indian troops.

The gesture reciprocates one from France to India back in 2009. On July 14 2009, one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army — the Maratha Light Infantry — marched down the Champs Elysee in Paris with the French army. This seems to be a reciprocal gesture.

3) Shorter Time

Reportedly, this year celebration will be 25 minute shorter than usual. The duration of the parade this year, for instance, will be shorter — from 115 minutes to nearly 90 minutes, but the format will remain the same.

Perhaps to cut down time to make it 90 min event contingents of paramilitary forces like the Central Reserve Police Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Sashastra Seema Bal will not be part of the 2016 parade.

4) All-women Stunt Contingent

This year for the first time, an all-women stunt contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force will also be performing during the event to demonstrate their motorcycle riding skills. The contingent named ‘Women Daredevils CRPF’ comprising of 120 soldiers will showcase their skill this year.

5) Launching Bharat Parv

To promote Rich cultural diversity of the country and to generate patriotic moo, a festival show ‘Bharat Parv‘ will be inaugurate on Republic Day organised at the Red Fort from 26 January. The festival will be held from 26th to January 29^th. The event is open to the public and the entry is free.