While the Republic Day parade at Marine Drive may have been called off, the Brihanmumbai Inter-School Republic Day (BIRD) committee has confirmed the parade at Bandstand in Bandra. The committee has said that the armed forces will be coming for the parade along with hardware that will be on display for the entire day at the venue. Taking a cue from the schools in Bandra, schools in South Mumbai have decided to organise the parade at Marine Drive from next year if the government does not want to conduct it.
Speaking about the parade, Fr Jude Fernandes, chairman of BIRD said that many schools from across Mumbai would participate in the parade. “Though BIRD has been organising the parade since the past three years, this year it is expected to be grander as there will be floats representing culture, environment, Make In India and compassion. The floats are made by the schools that will also have their NCC cadets marching in the parade,” said Fr Fernandes, who is also the principal of St Mary’s SSSC School at Mazgaon.
“Around 20 schools have decided to replicate the school parade at Marine Drive from next year in case the government does not organise it,” said Fr Fernandes.
While the parade will have chief of staff, vice-admiral R Harikumar as the guest of honour, defence chief public relations officer Commander Rahul Sinha said that defence personnel would not be marching in the parade. “All three armed forces will be participating in the parade by displaying hardware like coastal batteries and other equipment. The army and navy would also have recruitment stalls at the venue where school students and their parents can get first hand information about careers in the defence forces,” said Commander Sinha.
“This year the fire brigade and disaster management teams will also be participating in the parade and will display various safety drills for the benefit of the public. They will also be available for interaction with the people after the parade,” said Fr Fernandes.
He added that students from schools in South Mumbai would be pinning the Indian flag on people on Republic Day at various railway stations.
