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As India celebrates its 74th Republic Day on Thursday, 26 January, a total of twenty three tableaux will participate in the annual parade which is taking place at New Delhi's Kartavya Path, previously known as Rajpath.
Around 65,000 people are attending the parade. President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the national flag, followed by a 21-gun salute. Watch the event live here.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is attending the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.
Republic Day is celebrated every year on 26 January, to mark the adoption of the Indian Constitution, which originally came into effect on 26 January 1950
Last year, no foreign dignitary was present at the parade
Out of the 23 tableaux, 17 are from states and union territories and six from various ministries and departments
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets crowd as the Republic Day Parade ends.
As the parade concludes, President Droupadi Murmu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, leave Kartavya Path.
Audience applauds as aircraft fly past. However, dense fog makes visibility a problem.
In a first, women constables feature in BSF's camel band.
The contingent is being led by Sindhu Reddy.
In a first, a combined band and marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces participate in the parade. The contingent has 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
The first contingent in the uniform of the 61 Cavalry is being led by Captain Raizada Shaurya Bali. The 61 Cavalry is the only serving active Horse Cavalry Regiment in the world, with the amalgamation of all the ‘State Horse Units’.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive at Kartavya Path. Chief guest Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian president, has also reached the venue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage to martyrs at the National War Memorial, ahead of the parade.
Right before the parade begins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay homage to martyrs at the National War Memorial.
Kartavya Path gears up for the parade, which is expected to begin around 10:30 am. Watch the live telecast of the event here.
Movement on Kartavya Path will be monitored with around 150 CCTV cameras, which also includes high-resolution cameras. The high rise buildings around Kartavya Path and parade routes have also been closed since the evening of 25 January.
The Republic Day parade will begin from Vijay Chowk and move towards Red Fort via Kartavaya Path, C-Hexagon, roundabout statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Netaji Subhash Marg.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the country a 'Happy Republic Day' on Twitter.
He said:
"This time this occasion is also special because we are celebrating it during the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. We wish to move ahead unitedly to make the dreams of the great freedom fighters of the country come true. Happy Republic Day to all fellow Indians!"
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth will be the Parade Commander. Major General Bhavnish Kumar, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command.
The unfurling of the national flag by President Droupadi Murmu will be followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.
In a first, a combined band and marching contingent of the Egyptian Armed Forces will be part of the parade. The contingent will have 144 soldiers, representing the main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
The Ministry of Defence said that the parade on the 75th year of Independence, celebrated as the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav," will "witness zeal, enthusiasm, patriotic fervour, and janbhagidari (people's participation), as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will witness the Republic Day parade as the chief guest. India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
Security has been beefed up in several parts of the national capital ahead of the 74th Republic Day celebrations. A large number of barricades are placed at intersections as well as checkpoints with sniffer dogs and metal detectors. About 6,000 jawans have been deployed for security for the 26 January parade.
The Republic Day Parade will begin at 10 am. According to Delhi Police, around 65,000 people are expected to attend. The event will be livestreamed on Sansad TV.
President Droupadi Murmu will unfurl the national flag at 7:30 on Kartavaya Path, previously known as Rajpath. This will be followed by the national anthem.
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