Do you know: The grand Republic Day Parade takes 9 months to prepare, other facts!

All those who feel pride in witnessing the grand Republic Day parade every year in Delhi or on their television sets will be surprised to know the preparation that is undertaken to make the event even grander.

It takes 9 months of preparation and detailing to perform the 120-minute parade. The choreography is delicate and even minute details are observed for the success.

The first Republic Day parade preparations were taken up by first Army Chief General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa in 1949. Since then the parade is being overseen by South Block, headquarters of the Ministry of Defence.

A deputy secretary is designated as the overall in-charge of the show who starts organising the event 9 months before the real show. The preparations starts in March-April, under the direction of the ministry.

The Army headquarters tasks the Headquarters, Delhi area, with the execution of the parade under the supervision and command of the adjutant general - a military chief administrative officer.

The contingents, who will participate, are identified and undergo a training of good three-four months at their respective centres.

Then they are sent to Delhi in the first week of December where they undergo over 600 hours of rigorous practice.

A makeshift camp which holds nearly 10,000 men of the Indian Army's regiments is set up in December every year. 

Several organisations, including state governments, security agencies, municipal corporations, electricity distribution companies and even schools, work in tandem and tirelessly to make the event a success. 

What's new this time

• Army dogs will march after 26 years at Rajpath. The Army has selected 36 dogs out of total 1,200 Labradors and German Shepherds for the event. These canines are trained in jobs like detection of explosives, guarding, assaulting, etc, and play a vital role in saving lives of the soldiers at various occasions.
• This year, the celebration will be 25 minute shorter than usual. The duration has been brought down to 90 minutes from 115 minutes, but the format will remain the same.
• For the first time an All-women stunt contingent will also performe during the event. Reportedly, the contingent named 'Women Daredevils CRPF' comprising of 120 soldiers will showcase their skill this year.
• Learning from last year when Obama family had to hold umbrellas to escape rain, this year, the VVIP enclosure will have a motorised glass roof so as to protect them from rain and cold weather.