Embassies to air R-Day parade on giant screens

The Modi government wants to market globally US President Barack Obama’s presence at the Republic Day parade.

 The External Affairs Ministry has been approached to request Indian embassies to put up giant screens on their premises for airing live the grand display of culture, tourism, development and military might.

Special arrangements are being put in place for easy access of footage on real time basis to foreign news television channels, acknowledging the eagerness of at least American broadcast journalists.

Leaving no stone unturned to exploit Obama’s visit, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has prepared a blueprint for Doordarshan to cover Republic Day celebrations in an unprecedented manner, government sources said.

The special coverage package will offer viewers brief documentaries on Obama and President Pranab Mukherji that would be dovetailed into the nearly two-hour long live coverage of the parade on Rajpath. 

The event will be aired globally. Doordarshan is ensuring that high definition cameras are deployed for a full view of the event, especially of the VVIP enclosure where Indian and American presidents and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will sit.