State won’t have a float at Republic Day parade

MUMBAI: After winning the first prize for its tableau at the Republic Day parade in 2015, Maharashtra has been disqualified from the parade in 2016. Although the state’s concept has been turned down by the expert committee, the government claimed the rejection was a routine practice as states are given a break every three to four years.

About 25 tableaux depicting cultural diversity and socio-economic development of the country participate in the Republic Day parade at Rajpath every year. Maharashtra has always been among the top most presenters for the past few years. Last year’s tableau depicting the Pandharpur wari won the first prize and was largely appreciated.

According to the sources in Mantralaya, the concept was rejected during the second round of meeting of the expert committee which shortlists the entries. cultural department could not get approved as it was not upto the mark,” said the officer.

The officer said the cultural department failed to put in efforts required to fine-tune the concept and present it before the committee. He added there is no rule that all states are given a break after a specific period. Had this been the reason, the concept would not have been accepted in the first round.

There were about 22 entries from various states. Maharashtra was among six states that had to face rejection. The decision was convened to the state during a meeting conducted by the ministry of defence, which looks after the management of the internationally acclaimed event, a few weeks ago.

“It is not disqualification as our concept was on a par with other states. The float was to show bharud and gondhal, popular folk arts of the state. We were told that owing to stiff competition, the committee decided to give opportunity to other states,” an official