Letters to the Editor: Republic Day in Covid pandemic

Republic Day is approaching and it is round the corner. We celebrate Republic Day to show patriotism in the country. In India, every year on 26 January, we celebrate Republic Day. This year we will be celebrating the 73rd Republic Day. As In India all people from different religions, cultures, castes live together in unity. On this day people unitedly come together to join in the parades and flag hoisting ceremony. Republic Day was first celebrated in 1950 when the Indian Constitution came into effect. And after that day it was marked as a national date to celebrate it. The motive behind the celebration is that we remember the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and great leaders who sacrificed their life to make India a republic country for the upcoming generations. From young children to adults, everyone engages themselves on this day as a patriotic citizen. But Republic Day 2022 is going to be different as the third wave of the COVID pandemic is already in. In the previous years all the people of India gathered in schools and colleges or any other event place to celebrate it. But this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, celebration in schools and colleges is not possible. Another main point about the Republic Day is that the police authority only imposes strict laws before Republic Day after that it goes back to same situation. The Covid pandemic has changed the way of celebrating Republic Day and this year only 5,000-8,000 people will be allowed to attend Republic Day parade due to the third wave of Covid-19. The seating capacity is reduced and invitation of foreign dignitaries as chief guest is cut down. COVID-19 protocols will be followed at the parade.

The officials have decided to organize the occasion in a safe manner while following all the required protocols and strict measures in the light of the recent cases of Covid.

Scarcity of beds can be seen recently in the country and to avoid more such cases, it has been decided by the ministry that large gatherings will be banned completely this year.

Padmini Das

(pdminirosi@gmail.com)