R-Day Live: PM Modi and Other Leaders Attend ‘At Home’ Ceremony
Catch live updates of the Republic Day celebrations.
- President Pranab Mukjherjee presented gallantry awards
- PM Modi paid tribute at Amar Jyoti Jawan
- UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest
- NSG Black Cat Commandos participated in the parade for the first time
LCA Tejas Aircrafts made its debut
Watch the Republic Day Parade Here
India’s 68th Republic Day parade commenced with a display of military prowess - replete with marching contingents and floats.
The celebrations began in New Delhi on Thursday, with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the Chief Guest of the annual parade.
The highlights of this year's parade included a 149-member United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard, along with about 152 musicians from 13 different battalions.
Additionally, colourful tableaux from 17 states and union territories, depicting India's varied culture and heritage, also participated.
'At Home' Ceremony
PM Modi interacted with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Vice President Hamid Ansari, former PM Manmohan Singh and others while attending President Mukherjee’s ‘At Home’ ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan, on Thursday.
BSF Daredevils Form 'Pyramid'
The BSF ‘Daredevils’ impressed the crowd with their stunts on motorcycles.
Tejas Makes Stunning Debut
India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) developed indigenously made their maiden appearance at the Republic Day parade.
Despite overcast conditions, three fighter jets flew at a height of 300 metres from ground at a speed of 780 km per hour in ‘VIC' formation, leaving the spectators at Rajpath boulevard in awe.
Indigenously developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tejas, as a fourth generation aircraft, can fly at 1,350 km per hour and is comparable to the world's best fighters, including French Mirage 2000, American F-16 and Swedish Gripen.
Also seen at the ceremony was the C-17 Globemaster III, India’s largest military transport aircraft, and 'Netra', an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft also known as "Eye in the Sky".
Rajpath Awash in Colour, Culture as States Showcase Heritage
Himachal Exhibits Ancient Art Form in R-Day Parade
Himachal Pradesh showcased an ancient art form of the state. The front of the tableau, which was displayed after three years in the parade, was a statue of a woman performing embroidery on a Chamba 'rumal' (handkerchief).
The big Millennium Gate of Chamba town also adorned the rear portion of the tableau, besides showcasing 'Rasleela', a folk dance by artistes.
The embroidery on the handkerchief originated and flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries where the Chamba school of miniature paintings got royal patronage.
Black Cat Commandos Participate for First Time
India's elite counter-terrorism force, the National Security Guard (NSG) made its debut at the event.
A contingent of some 60 commandoes in their black overalls and full armed gear marched on the Rajpath, giving ceremonial salute to President Pranab Mukherjee.
The other commandos were on seven vehicles with hydraulic ladders mounted on them.
NSG's anti-hijacking van 'Sherpa' - a bullet proof armoured vehicle that can withstand powerful explosions and can be driven under water and on steep inclines - also made its debut.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST), the country's biggest tax reform initiative, also figured at the parade.
Showcasing the GST was a tableau by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).
The blue-hued tableau with bowling pin and ball at the front and a map of India at the rear went past the Rajpath as President Pranab Mukherjee waved his hands in appreciation. The CBEC was one of the six central ministries to showcase their tableaux.
Republic Day Parade Underway
Bravery Award Winning Children Cheered
Children who won the National Bravery Awards on Thursday participated in the parade to loud cheers from the spectators.
Prime Minister Modi had on Monday presented the National Bravery Awards to 25 children, four of them posthumously, from different parts of the country.
PM Modi, President Mukherjee and UAE Crown Prince Arrive for Republic Day Parade
Narendra Modi joined three service chiefs to pay tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Soldier's Widow Receives Ashok Chakra From President Mukherjee
Soon after, President Pranab Mukherjee arrived at Rajpath for the ceremony.
He posthumously awarded Ashok Chakra to Havildar Hangpan Dada, who was killed near in Jammu and Kashmir in May last year while fighting terrorists.
Dada's sobbing widow Chasen Lowang received from the President the highest peacetime military award given for awarded for valour, courageous action and self-sacrifice.
The UAE Crown Prince and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, watched in silence as Mukherjee saluted the courage of the dead soldier of Assam Regiment.
Also present at the ceremony was Sonia Gandhi.
PM Modi Greets Nation on Republic Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the guest of honour at Rajpath for the annual Republic Day parade.
Tight Security in Capital for Republic Day Celebrations
The national capital was wrapped in an unprecedented security cover with thousands of security force personnel keeping a hawk-eye vigil to ward off any terror strike or untoward incident during the 68th Republic Day celebrations.
Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters were deployed to keep a watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort besides nearby localities.
There were intelligence inputs that terror groups may try to carry out attacks. Delhi Police was sent a special advisory informing them that terror groups might use animals to target crowded areas like important installations, railway stations, etc to create a panic.
As per earlier intelligence inputs, terror groups like LeT may be planning to use helicopter charter services and charter flights to launch attacks.
Snipers were on top of high-rise buildings while around scores of CCTV cameras kept a tight vigil on people's movements on the parade route.
Elaborate air defence measures, including deployment of anti-aircraft guns, were also put in place to secure the air space.
Nearly 60,000 security personnel drawn from Delhi Police and Central security forces have been deployed in Central Delhi. Police is also using counter-drone technology to thwart any attack or identify any suspicious flying object, a senior police officer said.
Security personnel identified vulnerable spots like crowded markets, railway stations, bus stands and other high- value establishments and efforts were made to secure them.
Traffic police deployed around 1,500 personnel to manage route diversions during the parade.
Patrolling in public places was intensified and checking and frisking in metro, railway stations and bus terminals tightened.
Kejriwal attacks PM Modi on Republic Day
On the morning of India’s 68th Republic Day, Arvind Kejriwal slammed PM Modi on Twitter, accusing him of confiscating all files of the Delhi government’s feedback unit.
While sending his greetings for the day, Kejriwal said he aims to protect the country from dynasties that were reminiscent of Hitler’s rule.
Putin Sends His Greetings
Russian Presidet Vladimir Putin sent his Republic Day greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. He said:
Traffic Regulations in Delhi
Traffic restrictions have been put in place ahead of the Republic Day.
The Republic Day Parade will commence at 9.50 am from Vijay Chowk and move through Rajpath, India Gate, Tilak Marg and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg towards Red Fort.
Starting from 11 pm on Thursday, traffic movement will be blocked around Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, 'Q'-point, Humayun Road, Subramania Bharti Marg, Mathura Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Mandi House, Feroze Shah Road, Tolstay Marg, Sansad Marg, Patel Chowk, Ashoka Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, RML Mother Teresa Crescent up to 11 Murti and Sardar Patel Marg upto Kautilya Marg. Only local resident will be exempted from this.
Entry and exit at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan metro stations will be shut till Friday afternoon. However, metro services will be fucntional.
No traffic will be allowed on Rajapth, Rafi Marg, Janpath and Man Singh Road. The parade route will be completely barricaded.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Vice President Hamid Ansari, on Friday, ahead of the Republic Day.
On Wednesday, Sudarsan Pattnaik tweeted an image of his sand art for the occasion.
Rashtrapati Bhavan Glitters with Light
Here are a few other photos of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Security Alert Issued
Intelligence sources have cautioned of possible terror attacks through air on Republic Day. There have reportedly been inputs of Pakistan-based terror organisations likes LeT planning to lauch an attack.
An advisory issued to security agencies read:
All leaves sought by police personnel have been cancelled, NDTV reported.
Celebrate the Argumentative Indian: President Mukherjee
India will be celebrating its 68th Republic Day on Friday. This year, the country will host Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, as its chief guest.
On the eve of Republic Day, President Pranab Mukherjee extended his greetings to all Indians in a formal message. He also paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives on duty.
He reminded all Indians about the struggle of independence that birthed this nation and its Constitution and talked about the urgency of containing environmental damage.
In a remark against all the violence that an intolerant 'nationalism' has begotten in the past, he said:
He also urged all Indians to work harder to diminish the stark divide between the rich and the poor.
(With inputs from media agencies.)
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