OTHERS :New Delhi: Marching contingents, strategic defence weaponry and colourful tableaux were on display Friday as India celebrated its 69th Republic Day with a grand parade watched by thousands along with 10 Asean leaders who attended the event as chief guests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the guests after which President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the tricolour to a 21-gun salute.Cold weather conditions and dense fog failed to dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of spectators who witnessed the nearly one-and-half-hour-long Republic Day parade from the Rajpath to the Red Fort amid an unprecedented security cover. Lt. Gen. Asit Mistry, general officer commanding, headquarters Delhi area, led the march.Here are the highlights from Republic Day celebrations today:
Republic Day parade ends with a SU-MKI ‘vertical charlie’
The Rudra Formation, the Hercules Formation, Netra, Globe Formation and several more formations by the Indian Air Force marked the culmination of the Republic Day parade.The president’s bodyguards have arrived to escort him back to the Rashtrapati Bhavan after the national anthem. PIB
Nagpur’s Baredi Folk Dance
The contingent from South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, presenting the Baredi Folk Dance.
Women BSF personnel show their daredevilry at Republic Day parade
The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Daredevils women motorcycle riders perform during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
The tableau for Maharashtra
The tableau for Maharashtra depicted the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The tableau for Gujarat
The Gujarat tableau at the Republic Day parade marked 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
The tableau of Kerala
The Kerala tableau depicting the tradition of Kettukazhcha, which are sculpted and decorated forms of six temple cars known as ‘Kuthira’ (horses), five Theru’ (chariots) and icons of Bhima and Hanuman.
The tableau for Himachal Pradesh
The tableau for Himachal Pradesh depicting the Buddhism influence in the state’s Lahaul-Spiti region. Also seen is the Kye monastery.
The tableau for Karnataka
The tableau for Karnataka depicted the state’s wildlife.
The tableau for Assam
Akash weapon system of 27 Air Defence Regiment
The Akash weapon system of 27 Air Defence Regiment (Amritsar Air Field), led by Captain Shikha Yadav and Captain Mohammad Yunis Khan. ANI
The Delhi police band
The Delhi Police band leads the Delhi Police marching contingent.
Weapon-locating radar SWATHI
Weapon locating radar SWATHI. An indigenous radar which can simultaneously track upto seven targets. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/H0y4WxPwSS
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
BSF’s camel-mounted band
The camel mounted band of the Border Security Force (BSF) is the only one of its kind in the world.
More contingents march in for Republic Day parade
10.38 am: The contingent of Himveers, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police’s marching contingent, is up next.10.36 am: Brass Band marches in to the tune of saare jahaan se achha hindustan hamara.10.34 am: The camel mounted band of the Border Security Force (BSF), the only one of its kind in the world, troops in to the song Hum Hai Seema Suraksha Bal (We are the border security force).10.32 am: The Air Force Tableau, showing that the IAF encourages indigenization, has marched onto the Rajpath. Three woman officers are part of this contingent
Brahmos Missile System of 881 Missile Regiment
Brahmos Missile System of 881 Missile Regiment. It is the only Super Sonic Cruise Missile presently available in the world. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/XPWaIWsQ6H
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
Republic Day parade underway at Rajpath
10.27 am: The Naval Brass Band marches in to the tune of Jai Bharati10.26 am: The leading tableau is the Triservices Veterans, with the theme Veterans: An Asset to the Nation.10.25 am: The snow warriors, Ladakh Scouts, march in with the motto Ki Ki So Lhargya(Victory to God)10.23 am: The Dogra Regiment is now coming down the Rajpath.10.20 am: The first marching contingent is The Punjab Regiment, the second highest decorated regiment of the Indian Army.10.17 am: Akash Weapon System of 27 Air Defence Regiment glides in at Rajpath.10.14 am: The famed Brahmos Missile System of 881 Missile Regiment, the only super sonic cruise missile in the world, is the next to follow.10.12 am: 61st Cavalry led Captain Deepanshu Sheoran marches in RepublicDay. Infantry Combat Vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate-II of 12 Guards rolls in. PIB
LIVE: The #RepublicDay 2018 Parade is being led by Parade Commander Lt. Gen. Asit Mistry AVSM, SM, VSM, GOC, HQ Delhi Area https://t.co/N2TSVZzKUL
— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2018
President Kovind hoists the national flag
President Ram Nath Kovind has unfurled the tricolour with the national anthem playing in the background.
A short while ago: The National Anthem, at the #RepublicDay Parade pic.twitter.com/n2FdaUsXIM
— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2018
President Kovind gives Ashok Chakra to family of Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala
President Ram Nath Kovind gives away Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime military decoration, to wife and mother of Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala, a Garud Commando of the Indian Air Force (IAF) who died fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
President Ram Nath Kovind has arrived at Rajpath
President Ram Nath Kovind has arrived at Rajpath where he was greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was escorted by 46 Bodyguards on Bay and Dark Bay coloured mounts.
Asean leaders arrive for Republic Day parade
Delhi: ASEAN leaders arrive for #RepublicDay parade. #ASEANIndia pic.twitter.com/vUctvK82Pl
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
President Ram Nath Kovind on his way to Rajpath
President of India Ram Nath Kovind is arriving at Rajpath, escorted by 46 Bodyguards on Bay and Dark Bay coloured mounts. Raised in 1773, the president’s bodyguard is the oldest and seniormost regiment of the Indian Army.The chief guests of Republic Day parade, the heads of state/government of ASEAN nations, have started to arrive at Rajpath. They are being welcomed by PM Narendra Modi. PIB
Narendra Modi, 3 services chiefs pay tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti
PM Narendra Modi and the three Service Chiefs pay tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/ExtvYlHr4x
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
Narendra Modi arrives at India Gate, lays wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at India Gate. He paid his tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Rajnath Singh unfurls the tricolour at his residence in Delhi
Home Minister Rajnath Singh unfurls tricolour at his residence in Delhi #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/X6nOS4Rhet
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
Republic Day celebrations begin
Celebrations to mark the 69th Republic Day of India have started at Rajpath in New Delhi. Hundreds of people have assembled at Rashtrapati Bhavan grounds and along the Rajpath to witness the parade that will begin after the flag hoisting by President Ram Nath Kovind.
BJP president Amit Shah hoists the flag at party HQ in Delhi
BJP Chief @AmitShah hoists the flag at party headquarter in Delhi #RepublicDay(ANI)
— NDTV (@ndtv) January 26, 2018
Track LIVE updates: https://t.co/xAQ1jnCMED pic.twitter.com/UyhjdegXus
Stock markets to remain closed today due to Republic Day
India’s stocks, bonds and currency markets are closed today for Republic Day celebrations. The markets will be closed for a long weekend and trading will resume on Monday. On Thursday, Sensex fell over 111 points, or 0.31%, to close at 36,050.44, snapping a six-session dizzying rally during which it scaled the 36,000-mark for the first time. Nifty lost 16 points, or 0.15%, to end the day at 11,069.65.
Republic Day parade: 23 tableaux, military might to be on display today
New Delhi: India will be showcasing its military prowess, culture and diversity in the presence of 10 Asean leaders who will attend the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath as chief guests.There will be a march past by army personnel carrying the Asean flag at the Republic Day parade, where 23 tableaux, including those representing various states and ministries, will roll down Rajpath. Delhi is under tight security with thousands of security personnel keeping a vigil to prevent any terror strike or untoward incident during the celebrations. PTI
Women’s motorcycle team to perform for the first time on Republic Day 2018
A women’s motorcycle team comprising personnel of the Border Security Force will be one of the main attractions of Republic Day parade today. The team was set up at the Central School of Motor Transport, BSF Academy Tekanpur on 20 October 2016. PIB
Republic Day parade has started in Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala: Visuals of #RepublicDay parade from Thiruvananthapuram. pic.twitter.com/HpsBtXUdYT
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
Republic Day parade has started in Chennai
Tamil Nadu: Visuals of #RepublicDay parade from Chennai pic.twitter.com/HUKWXS2cY2
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
Mobile internet services snapped in Kashmir
Srinagar: Mobile internet services have been snapped in Kashmir as a precautionary measure on the occasion of the Republic Day, officials said today. The internet services on mobile phones and data cards were suspended on Thursday as part of the security drill of the Republic Day. Although, it’s a normal practice in Kashmir to suspend the internet services on the Republic Day and Independence Day, this is the first time that these services were withdrawn a day earlier. PTI
India’s first president Rajendra Prasad during the first Republic Day in 1950
The maiden President of India Shri #RajendraPrasad, at the first #RepublicDay Parade pic.twitter.com/WH9BHt167P
— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2018
PM Narendra Modi wishes the nation on Republic Day
सभी देशवासियों को गणतंत्र दिवस की बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। Greetings on #RepublicDay. Jai Hind!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2018
Delhi under tight security on Republic Day
Delhi is under an tight security today with thousands of personnel keeping a vigil to prevent any terror strike or untoward incident during the 69th Republic Day celebrations. Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters have been deployed to keep a watch on the 8km-long parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort besides nearby localities.Snipers have been stationed atop high-rise buildings while scores of CCTV cameras will track people’s movements on the parade route. Elaborate air defence measures, including deployment of anti-aircraft guns, have been also put in place to secure the airspace.Nearly 60,000 security personnel drawn from the Delhi Police and central security forces have been deployed in Central Delhi.“The Delhi Police had made robust, strategic and multi-layer security arrangements added with anti-terror preparedness. Keeping in view the presence of a large number of foreign heads of states, it is a special occasion and a matter of national pride,” said Dependra Pathak, chief spokesperson for Delhi Police.
AIR’s tableau to feature Mahatma Gandhi’s maiden broadcast
New Delhi: All India Radio will showcase its tableau during the Republic Day parade, depicting a historic event when Mahatma Gandhi made his maiden and only broadcast through AIR in the wake of post-Partition communal riots. AIR Director General F. Sheheryar said tableau will also showcase the diverse population of India and signify the public broadcaster’s “integrating role” in it. “The front portion of the trailer showcases farmers listening to radio while engrossed in agricultural operation, (besides) soldiers listening to popular programmes of AIR like ‘Jaimala’ from advance locations in frontier,” he said. (PTI)
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