Key highlights of the event:
- For the first time that the Prime Minister paid homage to martyrs at the National War Memorial (NWM) near India Gate instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti (AJJ).
- The NWM, inaugurated in February 2019, is located at the ‘C’ Hexagon near the India Gate and was built in memory of about 22,500 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the post-independence period.
- The AJJ will now be used only for regimental events and visiting dignitaries.
- Anti-satellite weapon – Mission Shakthi developed by DRDO, Army’s battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicles, Air Forces’ newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters were showcased during the parade.
- The President of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro was this year’s chief guest.
- The first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers was 61 Cavalry, the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 01, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces’ cavalry units.
- For the first time, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF performed daredevil stunts.
