India celebrates its 72nd Republic Day today with a shortened programme at Rajpath in Delhi amid the coronavirus pandemic. The programme began at 9 am and concluded after the traditional fly past 11.25 am.
Apart from a reduced list of events, the parade also had a shorter route, no chief guest, fewer spectators, no children under 15 in the annual parade, and fewer soldiers in the Army and Navy contingents.
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.
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.
Here are the Republic Day Highlights:
🇦🇺🇮🇳 are closer than we have ever been. While we celebrate our nation on #AustraliaDay today, I also extend my best wishes to my good friend @narendramodi & all Indians on #RepublicDay. गणतंत्र दिवस की शुभकामनाएँ| #dosti pic.twitter.com/53trQwNfP5
- Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 26, 2021
कोरोना वॉरियर, सफ़ाई कर्मचारी, जवान और किसान। इस गणतंत्र दिवस देश के इन नायकों को सलाम।
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 26, 2021
सभी देशवासियों को गणतंत्र दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। 🇮🇳#HappyRepublicDay2021 pic.twitter.com/vkLohb4qQJ
#WATCH Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans marching with the national flag on a frozen water body in Ladakh on #RepublicDay
- ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2021
(Source: ITBP) pic.twitter.com/r2x8Iloq8C
- India will celebrate its 72nd Republic Day today with a shortened programme at Rajpath in Delhi amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- The programme will begin at 9 am and conclude after the traditional fly past 11.25 am.
- The Republic Day Parade ceremony will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial.
- PM Modi will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.
- Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade.
- As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.
- The parade will commence with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute.
- The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, Ati Vishisth Seva medal, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command.
- After the unfurling of National Flag, the proud winners of the highest gallantry awards will be awarded.
- They include the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra.
- Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles and Ashok Chakra winner Lieutenant Colonel D Sreeram Kumar will follow the Deputy Parade Commander on Jeeps.
- The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy. The Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice but other than in the face of the enemy.
देशवासियों को गणतंत्र दिवस की ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। जय हिंद!
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2021
Wishing all the people of India a Happy #RepublicDay. Jai Hind!
India will celebrate its 72nd Republic Day today with a shortened programme - scheduled to start at 9 am and conclude after the traditional fly past 11.25 am - because of the coronavirus pandemic. Apart from a reduced list of events, the parade will also have a shorter route, no chief guest, fewer spectators, no children under 15 in the annual parade, and fewer soldiers in the Army and Navy contingents. However, the newly inducted Rafale fighter jet will be among the many stars on show, as will a Bangladeshi tri-service contingent that will lead the parade on the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. A total of 32 tableaus - 17 from states and UTs, six from the Defence Ministry and nine others - will take part.
Google is celebrating India's 72nd Republic Day with a doodle illustration by Mumbai-based artist Onkar Fondekar.