No city tableau at R-Day parade for second consecutive year

Chandigarh: For the second consecutive year, there will be no tableau representing Chandigarh at the 2018 Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi. Chandigarh administration proposed the theme of the International Dolls Museum for the tableau, which was turned down by the ministry of defence. Initially, the administration proposed the works of Le Corbusier, the French master architect of the city, as theme for the tableau, which was later changed.

The International Doll Museum in Sector 23 is a major tourist attraction. It has around 300 dolls from different countries like Russia, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and South Korea.

The selection committee shortlists 25 tableaus from across the country, including those from states, UTs and Union ministries to showcase cultural diversity, progress in science and technology and military strength. The states and UTs with the best tableau are awarded by the Central government.

Chandigarh administration did not send its entry for the Republic Day parade in 2017 after it failed to come up with a theme. In 2016, the tableau was designed to showcase Chandigarh's architecture and open, green spaces. But it failed to make an impression. In 2015, the ministry of defence turned down the themes, which again included works of Le Corbusier and Rose Festival. A year earlier, the tableau of Chandigarh on Rock Garden was shortlisted after 13 years.