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.
Republic Day Parade 2020 Live: President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. (Source: PIB India)
Highlights
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.
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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the nation in paying tributes to the fallen soldiers, by laying a wreath at National War Memorial. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria present.
PM Modi arrives at the National War Memorial at India Gate. The PM is received by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the first-ever Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Air Force Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria.
In Arms and the Man (1898), GB Shaw has Captain Bluntschli say: “My rank is the highest known in Switzerland: I’m a free citizen.” It is slightly over a hundred years since all of India rose in answer to Gandhi’s call against the colonial Rowlatt legislation. Arrests, firings (as in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar), air-bombings (as in Gujranwala) and martial law (in the Punjab area) followed. These events hardened the people’s commitment to a composite nationhood and signalled the beginning of the end of the British Empire. Notwithstanding the Partition of India in 1947, the commitment to a composite Indian nationality and citizenship was reflected in India’s Constitution. Read More
Seventy years ago, the Constitution that “we the people of India” gave to ourselves is a living, palpable force. It is being read on the streets, it is being brandished in protests by women, men and students; it is being contested in politics, Parliament and WhatsApp debates. In this special issue, we look at how the Constitution has nurtured our ideas of rights, democracy and citizenship and how it is the citizen’s guarantee and defence, as Rohit De, author of A People’s Constitution, argues in his opening essay. Read more
The date of India’s independence from the British came on August 15, but it was not a date of India’s choosing — it was thrust upon them by Lord Louis Mountbatten as “it was the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender” in World War II to him. In contrast, January 26 was chosen as the Republic Day by Indians themselves, for it had held immense significance for the country for two decades. Click here to know why January 26 was chosen to be the Republic Day.
See Republic Day celebration photos from across India. Click here to see more
Crowds in large numbers have arrived at Rajpath to witness the 71st Republic Day parade.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoists the national flag at his residence on Republic Day.
Republic Day parade underway at Kamarajar Road off Marina Beach in Chennai.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari hoist the national flag at their residences.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray hoists the national flag at his residence, on Republic Day.
The Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade is accorded India’s highest honour in protocol terms. The process of extending the invitation to a Head of State or Government starts around six months ahead of Republic Day. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) considers several issues, most importantly the nature of India’s relationship with the country concerned. Read More
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also wished the nation on the 71st Republic Day. "My best wishes to each & every Indian on this our Republic Day," he tweeted.
Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik hoist the tricolour at the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Republic Day.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel with the national flag celebrating Republic Day at 17,000 feet today. The temperature in Ladakh at present is minus 20 degrees Celsius.ITBP) personnel with the national flag celebrating Republic Day at 17,000 feet today
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel with the national flag celebrating Republic Day at 17,000 feet in snow today. The temperature in Ladakh at present is minus 20 degrees Celsius. 'Himveers' chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other Union ministers greet people on Republic Day.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "Greetings to all Indians on 71st Republic Day".
HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said, "On the occasion of Republic Day, I congratulate students, parents and all related to the education sector."
"Wishing everyone a happy #RepublicDay," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted, "Greetings and good wishes on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. #RepublicDay #Indian".
Watch | Flag hoisting ceremony to begin shortly at JAT school at Malegaon, Maharashtra.