In pics: From Rafale to COVID-19 restrictions, many firsts this Republic Day parade

For the first time, a marching contingent and band of Bangladesh tri-services participated in the Republic Day Parade to commemorate 50 years of its historic liberation.

The 122-member contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces comprising soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh Navy, and air warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force was led by the contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Abu Mohammed Shahnoor Shawon and his deputies, Lieutenant Farhan Ishraq and Flight Lieutenant Sibat Rahman.

In a proud moment for India, Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth, one of the country's first female fighter pilots, took part in the Republic Day parade. She is the first woman pilot to do so.

Kanth was a part of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) tableau that will showcase mock-ups of the light combat aircraft, light combat helicopter and the Sukhoi-30 fighter jet. Posted at an airbase in Rajasthan, she flies the MiG-21 Bison fighter plane at present.

In a first, the tableau of the Union Territory of Ladakh, which came into existence in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, was displayed in this year's Republic Day parade.

The tableau highlighted the 'Vision' for Ladakh to be carbon neutral and exemplary for the world.

This year, the flypast was concluded by the newly inducted flypast who will carry out the spectacular 'Vertical Charlie' manoeuvre. In the manoeuvre, the aircraft flies at low altitude, then pulls up vertically while rolling 360 degrees multiple times.

For the first time in 55 years, there was no chief guest for this year's Republic Day parade. Initially, British PM Boris Jonhson was invited to come to India. However, he was forced to cancel his visit due to the outbreak of a new coronavirus strain in the UK. Before this, India didn’t have a chief guest for the parade in 1952, 1953 and 1966.

The marching contingents of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force were also on display. However, due to the coronavirus crisis, the number of soldiers participating in the contingent were reduced to ensure social distancing. 

The Army and Navy had only 96 soldiers each instead of 144, while the Air Force had 94.