Republic Day Parade 2021 LIVE updates: A total of 32 tableaux — 17 of various states and UTs, nine of ministries and six from the defence arm — will be seen going down Rajpath.India Republic Day Parade 2021, Flag Hoisting Live Updates: The Tricolour was unfurled at Delhi’s Rajpath in presence of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries including Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday.
In a display of India’s military might, Rafale fighter jets took part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time as the armed forces showcased its T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system and Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets on the Rajpath on Tuesday. A total of 32 tableaux — 17 of various states and UTs, nine of ministries and six from the defence arm — were seen going down Rajpath. Among these, the tableaux of Ladakh –– the Union Territory that was created in 2019 after bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir –– were included for the first time.
With Covid-19 protocols in place and the protesting farmers’ tractor march scheduled in the national capital, this year’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi has a different look. While gravity-defying stunts by motorcycle-borne men were missing, the spectator size too had been reduced to 25,000 from around 1.25 lakh last year. The parade of children who receive bravery awards were also missing. Keeping in mind social distancing, the size of marching contingents were reduced from 144 to 96. Also, all members of the tableaux contingents from various states, ministries and government departments underwent Covid testing.
In his video message to celebrate the birth of an “extraordinary Constitution” that established India “as the biggest sovereign democracy in the world”, the UK PM reiterated his plan to visit India in the coming months. “I was hugely looking forward to joining you for this important occasion at the kind invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi, alas our common struggle against COVID has kept me in London,” said Johnson.
Chaos prevailed at Delhi’s Singhu border as police resorted to lathicharge after protesting farmers broke the remaining police barricades. Earlier this morning, the farmers camping at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur border started breaking police barricades to enter Delhi. The farmers are marching on foot as well as on tractors. On Sunday, Delhi Police had granted the farmers, protesting against the three contentious farm laws, permission to carry out a tractor parade on January 26 inside Delhi, but with modifications in their planned route and on the condition that they will start only after the completion of the official parade on Rajpath.
Flight Lieutenant Bhawna Kanth became the first female fighter jet pilot to be part of the Indian Air Force's tableau during the Republic Day parade on Tuesday. She was part of the IAF's tableau that featured scaled down models of the light combat aircraft, light combat helicopter, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet and Rohini radar. Three other male pilots were standing along with her on the tableau.
Kanth is one of the first three fighter pilots, others being Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh, who were inducted into the IAF in June 2016. Flight Lieutenant Tanik Sharma led the IAF marching contingent comprising 96 airmen and four officers during the parade. (PTI)
Indian Ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Singla on Tuesday inaugurated joint-virtual tours between Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram and Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion's home in Negev desert here, on the occasion of India's Republic Day, to highlight the different aspects of the lives of the founding fathers of the two nations. "The monthly virtual tours, which will commence from February 2021, envisages deepening the understanding of different aspects of the lives of the founding fathers of both nations, including their sources of inspiration, their visions for the future of their peoples and the world, and the symbolism of their lifestyle, such as the choice of dress," according to a press statement.
Ben-Gurion was an ardent admirer of Gandhi and even had a picture of Bapu in his room. The Israeli leader's home has remained as it was left when he passed away in 1973. It was opened for the public a year later as per instructions in his will. (PTI)
Approximately 10,000 farmers and protestors took part in the anti-farm law protest and tractor rally organised as part of the ‘Jana Ganarajyotsava Parade’ held in Bengaluru, said Vinya Sreenivasan, activist and member of Samyukta Horata, an umbrella organisation of farmers and trade unions.
The rally by farmers across Karnataka has been peaceful. Farmers entered into Bengaluru by Tumakuru road, Mysuru road, Devanahalli, Hosakote and Hebbal road. All these rallies converge at Freedom Park in Central Bengaluru. (With inputs from Darshan Devaiah BP)
The Indian diaspora in China, Singapore, Australia and several other countries on Tuesday celebrated the 72nd Republic Day in a restricted manner and watched the cultural events virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Beijing, Ambassador Vikram Misri unfurled the national flag at the Indian embassy where the celebrations were restricted to officials of the mission and their families in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the Chinese capital and surrounding areas. Misri read out President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. He also released a special instrumental rendition of 'Vande Mataram' produced by Chaiti Arts Foundation.
Beijing and several cities are currently experiencing a relapse of coronavirus cases as result local governments have imposed measures to restrict public gatherings. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad in a tweet said it celebrated the Republic Day with great enthusiasm. (PTI)
The 72nd Republic Day was celebrated with fervour across Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday. Governor Bandaru Dattatreya unfurled the national flag and took the salute of a march past at the state-level Republic Day function held at the historic Ridge.
The Governor inspected the parade and took salute from an impressive march past, led by Parade Commander Captain Dheeraj Saini from 2 Naga Regiment. Governor's wife Vasantha Bandaru and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur were also present on the occasion.
The march past was presented by the contingents of the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, SSB jawans, ex-servicemen, state police, Home Guards and Himachal Pradesh Postal Services and National Service Scheme (NSS) cadets. A colourful cultural programme was also presented on the day. Tableaux highlighting various development activities of different departments also formed a part of the Republic Day celebration. (PTI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that "our public life" gives inspiration of one dharma--'Rasthra Dharma' and it should be above all for everyone. "We do not only have a personal life but a public life also. It gives us inspiration of one Dharma, which is Rastra Dharma. It should be above all for everyone. We all should work in a devoted way," the chief minister said in his Republic Day address at his 5 Kalidas Marg residence.
"We are celebrating 72nd Republic Day and paying respect to our Constitution, which not only gives us fundamental rights but also also reminds us about our duties as a citizen of the country," he said.
The chief minister announced free coaching for competitive examinations for youths to utilise their "talent and energy".
"The coaching will be not only be available for NEET, CDS, MBA but also for all the competitive examinations at the country level. We will arrange best faculty for the purpose and even senior officers will also take classes in these coachings and share their experiences," he said. (PTI)
The 72nd Republic Day was celebrated amid tight security arrangements in Rajasthan wherein Governor Kalraj Mishra unfurled the tricolour at SMS stadium here. The celebrations were held at all district headquarters of the state with compliance of COVID-19 related guidelines like social distancing and wearing face masks.
The Governor unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade as part of the state-level function on the occasion. Folk artists, police and military bands performed at the event. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also unfurled the tricolour at his residence and attended the Republic Day program at Badi Chaupar and the State Congress Committee headquarters. The Republic Day functions were also held in various government office headquarters in the state.
In a display of India's military might, Rafale fighter jets took part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time as the armed forces showcased its T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system and Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets on the Rajpath on Tuesday.
Depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress, 17 tableaux from states and union territories and nine from different Union ministries and paramilitary forces took part in the 72nd Republic day parade.
Six tableaux of the defence ministry also attended the event. School children performed folk arts and crafts displaying skills and dexterity handed down from generations. Bajasal, a folk dance from Kalahandi in Odisha, the Fit India Movement and Aatmanirbhar Bharat were also displayed on the Rajpath.
This year, the attendance to the Republic Day parade was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those below 15 years of age and above 65 were not allowed among the visitors at the venue. The parade also witnessed several major changes. The contingents only marched a distance of 3.5 km instead of the usual 8.5 km and for the first time in 55 years, no foreign dignitary attended the January 26 parade.
The newly inducted Rafale fighter aircraft featured for the first time in India's Republic Day flypast as it carried out the 'Brahmastra' formation alone and was part of the 'Eklavya' formation with four other fighter jets. The fighter jet conducted Eklavya formation by flying at a height of around 300 meter along with two Jagaur and two MIG-29 aircraft. The five jets resembled a V shape with Rafale leading the pack.
The 25,000 strong audience was able to see Rafale fighter jet again when it culminated the flypast by conducting the Brahmastra formation wherein it traversed at a low altitude for some distance, then pulled up vertically at 90 degrees and conducted rolls before stabilising at a higher altitude.
In a major boost to India's air power capability, five French-made multirole Rafale fighter jets were inducted into the IAF on September 10 last year. A total of 38 IAF aircraft and four planes of the Indian Army participated in the flypast on Tuesday. As is traditionally the case on Republic Day, flypast was divided into two blocks: the first was along with the parade and the second was after the parade.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday appealed to people to take a pledge to protect the countrys unity and integrity and make the nation self-reliant. The 72nd Republic Day was celebrated across Gujarat with Governor Acharya Devvrat unfurling the national flag in the presence of CM Rupani at a college ground in Dahod city in the morning. Both the dignitaries took a round of the ground in a car and greeted people present there. Later, they witnessed a cultural programme and parade by police personnel. "My greetings on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day. This is not just a day, it is a festival of democracy. This is a moment of great pride for all Indians. Let's take a pledge to protect the country's unity and integrity and make the nation self-reliant," Rupani said in a tweet.
The Indian diaspora in China and Singapore on Tuesday celebrated the 72nd Republic Day in a restricted manner, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In Beijing, Ambassador Vikram Misri unfurled the national flag at the Indian embassy where the celebrations were restricted to officials of the mission and their families in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the Chinese capital and surrounding areas. Misri read out President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. He also released a special instrumental rendition of 'Vande Mataram' produced by Chaiti Arts Foundation. Beijing and several cities are currently experiencing a relapse of coronavirus cases as result local governments have imposed measures to restrict public gatherings. China's National Health Commission on Tuesday reported 82 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and one death due to the disease on Monday.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday extended greetings on the occasion of the Republic Day and said countrymen should read Preamble to the Constitution on this day as it tells "where we as citizens should take our country". Bhagwat, who is on a three-day visit to Ahmedabad, hoisted the national flag at state Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Maninagar area here. "All countrymen should read Preamble to the Constitution on this day as it tells us where we as citizens should take our country," he said on the occasion.
Leading the 72nd Republic Day celebrations in Kerala, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Tuesday urged the people of the southern state to utilise the opportunity for vaccination against coronavirus and continue the COVID-appropriate behaviour with utmost care. The state's experience with viral infection has been challenging, he said, adding Kerala, however, could keep mortality lowest in the country and win acclaim across the world.
As coronavirus underlined the truth that "disease anywhere is a threat to health everywhere," the state government ensured that no one was left unattended and focused on upgrading 461 of our 674 primary health centres to family health centres, he said. "A healthy and prosperous nation is like paradise on earth. To ensure health, let us utilise the opportunity for vaccination against coronavirus and more importantly, continue Covid-appropriate behaviour with utmost care until the threat is wiped out," the Governor said.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison wishes India on the 72nd Republic Day. "What wonderful coincidence it's of our history that Jan 26 Australia Day, is India's #RepublicDay, a national day shared b/w friends. Australia-India share more than national day. We pursue same ideals-democracy, freedom, liberty, diversity, enterprise, opportunity," he said.
"Our history is long and our connections are many. With each year, we become even closer. The global pandemic has not divided us but has made us appreciate these shared ideals even more," Morrison added.
Republic Day parade culminates with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’. The aircraft is piloted by Gp Capt Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Sqn Ldr Kislaykant.
ITBP personnel celebrating Republic Day 2021 in different areas of Ladakh in sub-zero temperatures.
Google Doodle celebrated India’s 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday by portraying the country’s diversity and culture sketched in saffron, white, green and blue — the colours of the national flag.
The doodle, illustrated by Mumbai-based guest artist Onkar Fondekar, focused on the country’s vibrant cultures, regional diversity, and architecture.
On this day 72 years ago, India’s Constitution came into effect and it officially became a sovereign Republic. In his colorful artwork, Fondekar featured musical instruments like the dholak (a two-headed hand drum) and the sitar (a long-necked stringed instrument), the people of India, cricket and dance, among other elements.
Meanwhile, chaos prevailed at Delhi’s Singhu border as police resorted to lathicharge after protesting farmers broke the remaining police barricades. Earlier this morning, the farmers camping at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur border started breaking police barricades to enter Delhi. The farmers are marching on foot as well as on tractors. On Sunday, Delhi Police had granted the farmers, protesting against the three contentious farm laws, permission to carry out a tractor parade on January 26 inside Delhi, but with modifications in their planned route and on the condition that they will start only after the completion of the official parade on Rajpath.
The tableau of Punjab showcases the glory of 9th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The tableau has the theme '400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur'. The end of the trailer shows Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib, the site of the cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur.