A laser projection on the walls of North and South Block and a show by 1,000 swarm drones during Beating The Retreat ceremony this year are among several new events at the Republic Day celebrations this year to commemorate the 75th year of Independence. However, the number of attendees at the parade will be significantly reduced, due to the COVID situation, to anywhere between 5,000 to 8,000, according to a senior defence official.
“A novel ‘Drone Show’ has been conceptualised, designed, produced and choreographed within the country. This ‘Make in India’ initiative has been organised by a startup ‘Botlab Dynamics’, supported by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and Department of Science & Technology,” the official said. “The show would be of 10 minutes duration involving around 1,000 drones fabricated through indigenous technology.”
