Republic Day Parade 2020 HIGHLIGHTS: Republic Day celebration at Rajpath in New Delhi on Sunday. (Express photo: Praveen Khanna)
India Republic Day Parade 2020, Flag Hosting HIGHLIGHTS: India is celebrating its 70th Republic Day Today. The celebration at Rajpath started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly-built National War Memorial on the Republic Day for the first time instead of the Amar Jawan Jyoti beneath the India Gate arch. This was followed by President Ram Nath Kovind unfurling the tricolour. The occasion marks the day when India’s Constitution came into effect, and the country became a republic.
Heavylift helicopter Chinook and attack helicopter Apache, both recently inducted in the Indian Air Force, took part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time on Sunday. The Chinooks can airlift diverse loads in remote locations.
The entire national capital has been put under a multi-layered, ground-to-air security cover with thousands of armed personnel keeping a tight vigil over it.
Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, who was the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations, was accorded the ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Heavylift helicopter Chinook and attack helicopter Apache, both recently inducted in the Indian Air Force, took part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time on Sunday. The Chinooks can airlift diverse loads in remote locations. It is a heavy lift, twin rotor helicopter which has enhanced IAF's lift capability across a range of military and HADR missions. The Apache, on the other hand, is a versatile helicopter capable of firing air to air and air to ground missiles, rockets and front gun aided through fire control radar which can unleash havoc on the adversary. It has provided the Indian armed forces a significant edge against the enemy on the battlefield.
The tableaux of Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh at the Republic Day parade.
The tableau of the Central Public Works Department is based on the theme of 'Kashmir se Kanyakumari'. It showcases the memorial of Swami Vivekananda Kanyakumari, a 'Shikara' on the Dal lake and the Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh.
The tableau of Jammu and Kashmir being showcased at the Republic Day parade. Jammu and Kashmir government’s ‘Back to Village’ program is the theme of the union territory's tableau, this year.
26th January celebration in Malegaon. (Express Photos by Amit Chakravarty)
Mobile phone services were snapped in Kashmir on Sunday as a precautionary measure for ensuring smooth passage of Republic Day celebrations in the valley, officials said. While mobile internet services were suspended hours after their restoration on Saturday, mobile phone connectivity was suspended in the early hours of Sunday, they said.
Continuing his tradition of donning colourful turbans on Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sported a saffron 'bandhej' headgear with a tail for Republic Day on Sunday. Wearing his traditional kurta pajama and jacket, Modi paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly-built National War Memorial here on the Republic Day for the first time instead of the Amar Jawan Jyoti beneath the India Gate arch.
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The 'Dhanush' gun system, commanded by Capt. Mrigank Bharadwaj, was part of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath for the first time on Sunday. The 155mm/45 Caliber Dhanush gun system is a towed Howitzer designed indigenously by the Ordnance Factory Board. The gun with a maximum range of 36.5 km has the capability of automatic gun alignment and positioning. The gun, which is equipped with inertial navigation system and advanced gun sighting system, has been designed to meet futuristic requirements of the Army.
The Indian Navy showcases its assets like Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft and the Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class submarine. The indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant under construction at the Cochin Shipyard.
Sikh Light Infantry Regiment is led by Major Anjum Gorka of 6th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. The motto of the Regiment is ‘Deg Teg Fateh’ and the war cry is ‘Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akal’.
The Parade has begun. This year's Republic Day parade is led by the Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area. The winners of highest gallantry awards include the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, his wife Gursharan Kaur, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and others at Rajpath for Republic Day celebrations.
The 21 Gun Salute is presented by 2,233 Field Battery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C Sandeep.
President of India Ram Nath Kovind unfurls the national flag on 71st Republic Day, at Rajpath. National Anthem is being played at Rajpath.
Since Narendra Modi began his second term, the world has started to see India as a country in which aggressive nationalism and religious intolerance have become a serious threat to democracy. So much so that in Davos last week, Imran Khan got away with telling an important international news channel that India was in the grip of an ideology called ‘Hindu-vata’ that was inspired by the Nazis. From a man who comes from a country that has been the epicentre of jihadist terrorism for at least three decades, that is rich, writes Tavleen Singh. Read the full piece here
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Rajpath where Republic Day parade will begin shortly.
The Constitution of India was completed on November 29, 1949, yet it came into force on January 26, 1950. The date memorialised the celebration of Independence Day from 1930 by hundreds of thousands of Indians, who would gather in public, hoist the national flag and recite the pledge of independence in multiple languages, affirming that Indians were an independent people and would achieve their aims through non-violent means. Read More
President Ram Nath Kovind and his Brazil counterpart Jair Bolsonaro, the chief guest for this year's Republic Day arrive at Rajpath. Stay tuned to our live blog to get all the latest updates.