Republic Day: Parade Sees 75-Plane Flypast, UK PM Boris Johnson Tweets Greetings
Catch all the live updates from India’s 73rd Republic Day celebrations.
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As India celebrates its 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday, 26 January, the annual parade took place at New Delhi's Rajpath, with tableaux of 12 states and nine Union ministries on display. A grand 75-aircraft flypast by the Indian Air Force was also performed.
Later in the day, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to Twitter to convey his best wishes to the people of India.
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
For a second year in a row, no foreign dignitary was present at the parade
Attendees were required to carry their double vaccination certificates and children below 15 years of age are not allowed to attend the parade
The Indian Army showcased how its uniforms and rifles have evolved over the decades, at this year's Republic Day parade
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Govt Announces Padma Awards
The government announced four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 107 Padma Shri awards on the eve of the national holiday. Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian awards of the country.
While CDS Gen Bipin Rawat was awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously, the Padma Bhushan was conferred on Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, SII MD Cyrus Poonawalla, among others.
Meanwhile, the most prominent names in the Padma Shri recipients included Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and singer Sonu Nigam.
WATCH: ITBP Celebrates Republic Day in Snowy Ladakh at 15,000 Feet
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel celebrated Republic Day in Ladakh at an altitude of 15,000 feet, and a temperature of minus 40 degrees Celsius.
PM Modi Extends Republic Day Wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Republic Day.
"Wishing you all a happy Republic Day. Jai Hind!" he tweeted.
Republic Day Route: Parade to March From Vijay Chowk to India Gate, Traffic Advisory Issued
The Republic Day parade will begin from Vijay Chowk, march on Rajpath towards the Amar Jawan Jyoti, reach the India Gate, and will finally enter National Stadium from Gate 1.
In view of the parade, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory that indicates that no traffic will be allowed to move on the Rajpath-Vijay Chowk-India Gate till the parade is over.
The ‘C’-Hexagon-India Gate route will be closed for traffic from till the parade crosses Tilak Marg. Traffic on Tilak Marg, BSZ Marg, and Subhash Marg will not be allowed on both directions.
Delhi Metro services will be partially curtailed, with four stations – Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk and Lok Kalyan Marg – shut till 12 noon.
Security Stepped Up in Delhi Amid Republic Day Celebrations, Anti-Terror Measures Intensified
In view of the 73rd Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police has stepped up security arrangements in the capital city, intensifying patrolling and imposing curbs on vehicular movement.
Over 27,000 police personnel have been deployed on Republic Day security duties in Delhi and anti-terror measures have been intensified, officials told news agency PTI.
CCTVs fitted with facial recognition software and anti-drone equipment have also been installed at several locations in the national capital.
Republic Day Parade Time Table: Sequence of Events
The Republic Day parade ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial, where he will lay a wreath for the country's martyrs.
Then, the prime minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade.
The national flag will be unfurled followed by the national anthem, with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute.
The winners of the highest gallantry awards will follow. Then, contingents of the Indian Army will march past the saluting dais. The theme of the marching contingents will be the display of the evolution of uniform and weapons of Indian Army over the last 75 years.
The contingents of the Navy and the IAF will follow.
Tableaux of 12 states and 9 Union ministries will be displayed.
The grand finale will see the a flypast by 75 aircrafts of the Indian Air Force, wherein a number of formations will be displayed.
Google Celebrates Republic Day With Special Doodle
Nepal Extends Republic Day Greetings to India
Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Foreign Minister Dr Narayan Khadka extend their greetings to India on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day.
Rajasthan CM, JP Nadda & Others Hoist Flags; Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal Extend Greetings
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, BJP President JP Nadda, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, and others unfurled the national flag on Republic Day.
'To All Those Brave Soldiers...': Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Unfurls National Flag
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unfurled the national flag at his residence on the occasion of Republic Day.
"I extend my greetings to all Indians on this Republic Day. I also pay tributes to all those brave soldiers who laid their lives for the country," Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.
Parade To See 'Several Firsts': Defence Ministry
The Defence Ministry has planned "several firsts" during the main parade, as per a press release. These include:
Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman’ programme by National Cadet Corps (NCC)
Grand flypast by 75 aircraft/helicopters of the Indian Air Force
Cultural performances by 480 dancers selected through a nationwide Vande Bharatam dance competition
Display of ten scrolls each of 75 metres prepared during the ‘Kala Kumbh’ event and installation of 10 large LED screens for better viewing experience of spectators
Drone show by 1,000 indigenously developed drones for ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony, along with projection mapping
This year, the parade has been shifted by thirty minutes from its usual timing of 10 am, in order to allow for better visibility for the flypast.
'In 1950, Country Took 1st Step of Truth & Equality': Rahul Gandhi Extends R-Day Wishes
"On Republic Day in 1950, our country took the first step in the right direction with confidence. Salute to that first step of truth and equality. Happy Republic Day. Jai Hind!" Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Arvind Kejriwal Extends R-Day Greetings
"The Constitution of India is the largest written constitution in the world. This Constitution, composed by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, encapsulates the hopes and aspirations of every Indian. Many many greetings to all the countrymen on the 73rd Republic Day of the great Indian Republic," Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.
'Let Us Pledge To Ensure Democratic Values': Amit Shah's R-Day Wishes
"Happy 73rd Republic Day to all. I bow to all the soldiers who have dedicated their lives to keep the pride, unity and integrity of the Indian Republic intact. Let us all pledge today to ensure our commitment to the democratic values of freedom. Jai Hind!" Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.
WATCH: Republic Day Parade to Begin Shortly
PM Modi Lays Wreath At National War Memorial
PM Modi paid tribute to the martyrs of the nation by placing a tribute at the National War Memorial.
Republic Day Parade Begins With National Anthem
The Republic Day parade has begun at Rajpath with the national anthem and a 21-gun salute.
Ashok Chakra Conferred Upon J&K ASI Babu Ram
Jammu and Kashmir Police ASI Babu Ram conferred with Ashok Chakra posthumously for "displaying valour & exemplary raw courage," at the Republic Day ceremony. His wife Rina Rani and son Manik received the award from President Kovind.
61st Cavalry Contingent Marches Down Rajpath
Tank PT-76 Marches Down Rajpath
President Salutes Military Contingents as They Pass By
In Photos: Military Regiments March Down Rajpath
IAF Contingent Passes by the Saluting Dais
Meghalaya State Tableau Displayed at Parade
Meghalaya's tableau shows a woman weaving a bamboo basket and the many bamboo and cane crafts of the state.
Gujarat Tableau Displayed At R-Day Parade
The tableau of Gujarat showcases the theme of the 'tribal movement of Gujarat.'
Goa Tableau Follows
Haryana Tableau Shown at Rajpath
Arunachal Pradesh's Tableau Presented at R-Day Parade
Karnataka Tableau Moves Down Rajpath
J&K Tableau Displayed at Parade
Punjab Tableau Presented at R-Day Ceremony
Depicting 'Punjab's contribution in freedom struggle,' the tableau of the state depicts Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.
Uttar Pradesh Tableau Moves Down Rajpath
The UP tableau displays the 'One District One Product' scheme, based on the new micro, small and medium enterprise policy and industrial development.
CM Uddhav Thackeray Hoists National Flag in Maharashtra
Indian Postal Department's Tableau Focuses on Women Empowerment
Traditional Dancers Perform at Parade
Display on Women Empowerment by BSF Seema Bhawani Motorcycle Team
WATCH: Cockpit View of Rudra Formation
The cockpit view of the Rudra formation led by Colonel Sudipto Chaki of 301 Army Aviation Special Operations Squadron.
In Photos: Grand Flypast by 75 Aircrafts, Tiranga Formation at Rajpath
75 aircrafts fly towards the saluting dais at Rajpath from the direction of the Rashtrapati Bhawan for the grand flypast at the Republic Day parade.
Parade Grand Finale: Flypast by 75 IAF Planes
Assam CM Himanta Sarma Takes Part in Flag Hoisting Ceremony
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma participates in a flag hoisting ceremony on Assam.
West Bengal Governor, Mamata Banerjee Take Part in Flag Hoisting Event
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar unfurled the national flag on the occasion of 73rd Republic Day at an event at Red Road, Kolkata. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also present at the ceremony.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan Unfurls National Flag in Indore
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chauhan unfurled the national flag in Indore's Nehru Stadium on the occasion of Republic Day.
Chhattisgarh CM Hoists National Flag in Bastar, Greets State
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel hoisted the national flag in Bastar on Wednesday, on the occasion of Republic Day.
"Today, on the occasion of 73rd Republic Day, we saluted the national flag by hoisting the flag in the main function organized at Lalbagh Maidan of Bastar district headquarters. Happy Republic Day once again to all the people of the state," he said in a tweet.
Delhi CM Kejriwal Hoists National Flag at Residence
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoisted the national flag at his residence, on the occasion of Republic Day.
UK PM Boris Johnson Greets Indians on Republic Day
"The UK and India are tied by bonds that span over decades, through generations and across some of the greatest challenges we have faced. I want to send my best wishes from the UK to the people of India, and to all British Indians, on India’s Republic Day," United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted.
BSF Exchanges Sweets With Pakistani Soldiers at India-Pak Border
Border Security Force (BSF) exchanges sweets with Pakistan Rangers on the International Border in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar and Jaisalmer districts, as well as other bordering districts.