New Delhi: In the Republic Day Parade, the marching contingent of the Indian Army showcased how uniforms and Rifles have evolved since the Indian independence.
Three contingents wore uniforms and carried Rifles from previous decades, while one contingent wore the new combat uniform and carried the latest Tavor Assault Rifles. There were a total of six marching contingents of the Army at the parade this year.
Considering the COVID-19 protocol, each marching contingent was cut down to 96 soldiers instead of the usual 144.
The first marching contingent of Rajput Regiment soldiers, wore the 1950s uniform and carried .303 Rifles. The second contingent of Assam Regiment soldiers wore the 1960s uniform of the Indian Army and carried .303 Rifles.
Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment formed the third marching contingent, and wore Army’s 1970s uniform while carrying 7.62 mm Self Loading Rifles (SLRs).
The fourth and fifth marching contingents were of Sikh Light Infantry and Army Ordnance Corps Regiment, respectively, and these soldiers wore the current uniform of the Army and carried 5.56 mm INSAS Rifles.
Parachute regiment soldiers formed the sixth contingent, who wore the new combat uniform, which was unveiled earlier this month, and carried Tavor Assault Rifles.
Overall, there were a total of 14 marching contingents — six of Army, one of Navy, one of Air Force, four of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), two of National Cadet Corps (NCC), one of Delhi police and one of National Service Scheme (NSS).
