Rehearsals for Republic Day parade in India

India is getting ready for Republic Day, celebrated annually on January 26. Military regiments have been preparing for the parade by marching down Rajpath, the central avenue in New Delhi, every morning for almost a month in spite of the morning chill.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

India is getting ready for Republic Day, celebrated annually on January 26. Military regiments have been preparing for the parade by marching down Rajpath, the central avenue in New Delhi, every morning for almost a month in spite of the morning chill. In the photo: A police orchestra.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

The parade begins at Victory Square (Vijay Chowk), proceeds down Rajpath and ends at the Red Fort in Old Delhi. In the photo: A drummer from one of the special units of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

Marching the whole distance is a serious test of endurance. In the photo: Young rail security officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

The first parade was held in 1950 after the ratification of the constitution of independent India in which the country was proclaimed a republic. In the photo: An Indian Air Force Mi-17 flies over Rajpath.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

In 2009, after elephants were no longer included in the parade, the camel became the most majestic animal. These camels are from the Thar Desert bordering Pakistan. In the photo: The commander of the “camel” Border Regiment in India.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

The most curious spectators of the parade are, of course, children. In the photo: The children of those employed in the preparations for the parade.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

Naturally, the children are most delighted to see the border guards on camels. Thick mustaches are a trademark of the Rajasthan Camel units.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

Dancers often accompany the floats in the parade. In the photo: Women following the float from the state of Madhya Pradesh and performing a folk dance.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

Ensembles from northeast India perform with the most dancers every year. In the photo: Girls rehearsing a dance with swords.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

The highlight of the program is military motorcyclists. The time-tested Bullet 350 model, made by the local company Royal Enfield, is used as a “combat” motorcycle.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

Nine of these motorcycles, the mass production of which began in the 1930s, can easily carry 33 military acrobats.

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© RIA Novosti . Eugeny Bezeka

The motorcycle acrobats complete their rehearsal performance (in front of the India Gate monument).