Bhubaneswar, Jan. 26 -- Amritsar: India's Republic Day ceremonies on Tuesday on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah international border near Amritsar in Punjab were held in the absence of spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.

The flag-hoisting, ceremonial drill and Beating Retreat on the country's 72nd Republic Day was a low-key affair at the Joint Check Post, around 30 km from the holy city.

#WATCH | Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border on #RepublicDay (ANI) pic.twitter.com/5apjRWfzwE

- OTV (@otvnews) January 26, 2021

Also missing was the traditional bonhomie between border forces of both India and Pakistan - the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistan Rangers - who in normal times would sha...