Republic Day 2019 LIVE UPDATES: R-Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi. (Express photo: Tashi Tobgiyal)
Republic Day Parade 2019 LIVE UPDATES: The 70th Republic Day was celebrated with huge pomp and show in New Delhi as a grand parade rolled down Rajpath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti which was followed by the unfurling of the flag by President Ram Nath Kovind with a 21-gun salute in the background. The PM and President were accompanied by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the Chief Guest for the event.
The parade began from Vijay Chowk and proceeded towards the Red Fort grounds through Rajpath, India Gate, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg. Also read: Here’s what you missed from R-Day Parade 2019; 10 points
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Republic Day Parade 2019 LIVE UPDATES: Border Security Force “Daredevils” at Rajpath during the dress rehearsal for the 70th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. (Express Photo: Praveen Khanna)
A major highlight of the parade was the participation of four Indian National Army (INA) veterans — Parmanand, Lalti Ram, Hira Singh and Bhagmal, all aged over 90 years, for the first time. The other highlights include the display of American howitzers M777, the Main Battle Tank (MBT) T-90 and indigenously developed Akash weapons system
The marching contingents of the Army included the Madras Regiment, the Rajputana Rifles, the Sikh Regiment and the Gorkha Brigade. (Express photo: Tashi Tobgiyal)
Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, who was a militant-turned-soldier who laid down his life fighting a group of terrorists at Kashmir's Shopian in November last year, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind Saturday. The award — India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour — was received by Wani’s wife and mother at the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath. Wani is the first Kashmiri to be conferred the Ashoka Chakra.
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This is the second time a South African Head of State is Chief Guest for Republic Day — the first occasion was in 1995 when the late Nelson Mandela visited. In the five years of the Narendra Modi government, leaders from countries in four continents have been Chief Guests at India’s Republic Day. Last year, the celebration of India’s 69th Republic Day was attended by the leaders of 10 ASEAN countries.
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Assam Rifles tableau
Participating in the Republic Day parade for the first time in history, the Assam Rifles tableau had women power on full display. An all-women contingent, led by Maj Khushboo Kanwar, marched to the tune Assam Rifles kay Sipahi, Desh ki Humnay Shaan badhai.
CISF tableau
The CISF, which is also celebrating 50 years of service to the nation, is in the Republic Day parade after a gap of 11 years. Its tableau had elements of its diverse functioning and showcased the role of women in the force. The CISF has the highest percentage of women (6 per cent) among all paramilitary forces.
INA veterans
In a first, four Indian National Army (INA) veterans took part in the Republic Day parade under the theme ‘Veterans: Accelerators in Nation’s Growth’. All of them were over the age of 90.
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Seventy years since the birth of its Constitution, India celebrated Republic Day on Saturday with a grand annual parade at Rajpath amid heavy security cover. The ceremonial parade rolled down the majestic Rajpath with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in attendance as the chief guest along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman among several other leaders. Ramaphosa is the second South African president, after Nelson Mandela, to attend the grand event as its chief guest.
The event started with PM Modi paying his tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti after which President Kovind unfurled the national flag with the national anthem being played in the accompaniment of booming 21 gun salute in the background. The well-coordinated gun salute by seven cannons of 2281 Field Regiment starts with the first note of the national anthem and ends with the last. Special clocks are used to measure time in smaller units for precision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets images from the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath, earlier.
Among the many firsts for a Republic Day parade, four Indian National Army (INA) veterans, aged over 90 years, took part in the parade,
India's military might was also on display, with the artillery gun system M777 American Ultra Light Howitzers, recently acquired from the US, and K9 Vajra, a self-propelled artillery gun, showcased on Rajpath, being new additions this year.
Women power was on full display on the ceremonial boulevard with an all-woman Assam Rifles contingent creating history this year by participating for the first time in the parade, which was led by Major Khushboo Kanwar.
Contingents of the Navy, Army Service Corps and a unit of Corps of Signals (transportable satellite terminal) were led by women officers too.
India is celebrating its 70th Republic Day and joining the bandwagon in wishing the people are the Bollywood's famous film personalities. From Salman Khan to Vicky Kaushal stars are wishing their followers a happy republic day on the social media. Read more here
Meanwhile from Guwahati, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will honour two youths of Nagaon district's Puranigudam in a special ceremony held in the Railway Stadium in Guwahati for their “prompt action” that led to saving more than a hundred passengers aboard the train.
Bikas and Surya will receive a citation and award money of Rs 2,500 each. The duo admit that they are hopeful of better employment opportunities in the future. More here
Children celebrating the 70th Republic Day. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Motorcycle daredevilry at Rajpath, in yoga poses. As many as 33 people on 9 motorcycles make a human pyramid, Subedar Major Ramesh A leads this formation.
Flypast by Indian Air Force at Rajpath.
In 2013, Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade. In 2014, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations. In 2015, then US President Barack Obama watched the parade. In 2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at celebrations, while then French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016. Last year, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the Republic Day celebrations.
Indian railways showcase the transformation of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting the incident when he was thrown out of a 'European only' compartment at Pietermaritzburg railway station. (Image Source: DDNews/Twitter)
Crowds witnessing the Republic day parade at Red Fort grounds in New Delhi. (Express photo: Tashi Tobgiyal)
Tableau from Karnataka state is based on the 39th session of the Indian National Congress held in Belagavi in 1924, which was presided by Mahatma Gandhi. The tableau of Punjab is based on the theme of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Tableau of Delhi showcases Gandhiji's association with Delhi and Birla House, which is now known as Gandhi Smriti.
Indian Navy's marching regiment at the parade. (Source: DD News/Twitter)
Sikkim, the cleanest state in India showcased sanitation and emancipation of rural women. Maharasthra has Quit India movement as their theme, the movement was by Gandhiji which led to the immediate arrest of all leaders of Indian National Congress. Andaman and Nicobar islands has Cellular Jail as their theme. Assam showcases - Ram- Rahim - communal harmony. A small tableau by Tripura on swachchta and Gandhiji on the charkha.
The Veterans tableau-2019 showcases the theme, 'Veterans: Accelerators in Nation's Growth'. INA veterans first time ever on the Rajpath. Most of them are over 90 years of age. (Image source: ANI)
The overall theme for the Republic Day celebrations this year is the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and tableaux of many states, themed on the iconic freedom fighter, are lined up for the occasion. Most of the ministers of the Modi government, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Deve Gowda, Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad are among those present at the Red Fort grounds.
The spirit of patriotism soared and roared as the national anthem was sung in the accompaniment of booming 21 gun salute at the Rajpath here during the Republic Day function. The well-coordinated gun salute by seven cannons of 2281 Field Regiment starts with the first note of the national anthem and ends with the last.
President Ram Nath Kovind gives away the highest peace-time gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra to Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani posthumously. (Image source: ANI)
President Ram Nath Kovind gives away the highest peace-time gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra to Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani posthumously.
PM Narendra Modi lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti paying tributes to the fallen soldiers. he will now make is way up to the saluting dias accompanied by President Ramnath Kovind South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. As they get ready for the tableaus from various states and government departments will be showcased in the parade.
All eyes on Red Fort grounds as the Republic Day Parade is about to kick off. (Express photo: Tashi Tobgiyal)
When the constitution of India was born, it was considered necessary by the makers of the document to celebrate it on a day associated with national pride and the best choice available was that of “poorna swaraj” day- January 26. For the next 67 years, India has been celebrating January 26 as the date when it elevated itself from an independent nation to a modern republic, strengthened in all its glory by a fully functioning constitution.
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On the 70th Republic Day share wishes, messages, Whatsapp statuses and images with your family and friends right away to celebrate the spirit of a free and democratic country.
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The front page of The Indian Express on January 28 in 1950 — the paper was published on 28 as the 27th was a holiday. The headlines read: “Rajendra Prasad sworn in as President,”; “Madras turns Into ‘City of Lights'” and “A Million People Watch Presidential Procession.”
From The Indian Express archives.
The Google Doodle depicts six colourful tableaus which form an integral part of India’s Republic Day celebrations, outside the President’s Palace in Rajpath.
Elaborate preparations have been made across India to mark the 70th Republic Day with parades being held in every state. The Governors of various states will take the salute of the parade on the day.
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He wrote on Twitter:
The Bharat Ratna has been conferred after a gap of four years. Former president Pranab Mukherjee was on Friday conferred with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India. The award was also conferred on Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Nanaji Deshmukh and legendary singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika posthumously.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and founder of Banaras Hindu University Madan Mohan Malviya were given the award by the Narendra Modi government in 2015.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday conferred the Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian awards of the category, to 112 people from various disciplines. The awards were conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
The list, which was approved by the President, comprises of four Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri awardees. Twenty-one of the awardees are women, 11 persons are from the category of foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI; there are three posthumous awardees and one transgender person.
Here's the full list
File photo from dress full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi. As many as 22 tableaus from various states and government departments will be showcased in the parade. (Express photo: Praveen Kumar)
The celebration of the republic, however, is not unique to India. More than 150 countries of the world are known to attach the word ‘republic’ against their names. The celebration of the values expressed in it is, therefore, considered a requisite part of building national pride. While for some countries, republic day is the moment at which the country in its current form was founded, there are others who commemorate it as the day on which a significant change took place in the governance of the country.
Here is a list of five other countries who celebrate their versions of the Republic day with hues and themes unique to their land.
“Gandhiji’s 150th anniversary is not for India alone; it is a joy to be shared with the world.”
This year commemorates the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. President Kovind described Gandhiji as the ‘moral compass of our Republic’ and shed importance on his teachings being the touchstone to measure the country’s policies and initiatives.
“Election is not just a political exercise”
Reflecting on the Indian democracy and its importance, President Kovind spoke about the upcoming 17th Lok Sabha elections and encouraged voters to exercise their franchise. Terming it as a ‘collective call to wisdom’, he said, “An election is not just a political exercise. An election is a collective call to wisdom and a collective call to action. It represents renewal and a recommitment to the goals and hopes of a shared and egalitarian society.” He described the forthcoming elections as “a once-in-a-century-moment’.
“India’s pluralism is its greatest strength and its greatest example to the world”
Commenting on the secular fabric of the country, President Kovind said, “The “Indian model” rests on a tripod of diversity, democracy and development. We cannot choose one above the other; we must have all three and we will have all three.”
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In his customary address to the nation on the eve of the 70th Republic Day, President Ram Nath Kovind Friday said that the 17th Lok Sabha election is not ‘once-in-a-generation’ but ‘once-in-a-century’ moment as the country is standing at a crucial juncture.
He said that “in some respects, this is as critical and formative a period as the late 1940s and early 1950s”. The decisions and actions of today will shape the India of the remainder of the 21st century, he asserted, while appealing to the people to vote in large numbers in the forthcoming elections.
Highlighting the role of the voting process in a democracy, President Kovind said this is a special year as those born in the 21st century will also be able to exercise their universal franchise.
He said that an election is not just a political exercise but a “collective call to wisdom and a collective call to action”. “It represents renewal and a recommitment to the goals and hopes of a shared and egalitarian society. It represents the diverse and yet singular urges of the people and the Republic of India,” he said, while adding that the act of voting as sacred.
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