Security agencies don't want elephants at the RD parade; prefer vehicles
Security agencies don't want elephants at the RD parade; prefer vehicles
Even though the security agencies are concerned, it seems Rajpath will retain its traditional glory of brave children riding elephants at the Republic Day parade.
The gentle caparisoned giants carrying the young brave hearts are one of the more popular attractions of the parade. But the mischievous jumbo had almost missed the bus this year.
Wisened by their earlier experience where the elephants had created several problems, the Ministry of Defence this year had decided to replace them with shinning jeeps.
"It's difficult to control these animals. They litter, refuse to move, holding up the contingents behind them, and have even tried to break the security cordon and enter the viewers' area. They are a security threat. So there was a proposal to replace them with jeeps," said a senior MoD official, requesting anonymity.
No change
But the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) didn't want to disappoint the children and immediately rushed in to make sure that the lovable animals kept their rendezvous with Rajpath. "There should not be any change in the way these children enjoy the event. Moreover, elephants are not such a big security concern," said an ICCW member, wishing not to be named.
But sources in the MoD said that the final decision is yet to be taken and all the issues are being considered. "It is still being discussed and the final decision will be taken very soon," said the officer.
He also informed that the elephant parade is a costly affair. Mahouts are paid Rs 2,000 per day to train each elephant. Unfortunately, the money is seldom spent on the animal and the mahout keeps most of it for himself, leaving the otherwise gentle mammoth to be in a foul mood.
Heroes' march
The heroes of the Mumbai terror strikes, the commandos of the National Security Guard, will take part in the Republic Day parade this year. It will be a first for the elite force. "NSG commandoes have already started preparing for their first-ever participation in the Republic Day parade. They could be the main attraction of this year's event," said a Ministry of Defence official.
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