Republic Day 2020: India is celebrating its 71st Republic Day today, on January 26.
India celebrates its 71st Republic Day today with grand celebrations in the national capital and all across the nation. The main Republic Day celebration is held in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India.
The Republic Day is celebrated to honour the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect.
The Republic Day parade ceremony started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial, and where he payed tributes to soldiers who died fighting for the country; this is the first time the PM will pay tribute at the war memorial instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, as the chief guest at the 71st Republic Day celebrations, watched the colourful parade at the majestic Rajpath along with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders.
This is the third time that a Brazilian President was the chief guest at the Republic Day. The last time a Brazilian President was the chief guest was in 2004 when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the parade.
Here are the Highlights of Republic Day 2020 celebrations:
This is Third Time A Brazilian President was the chief guest at the Republic Day
Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, as the chief guest at the 71st Republic Day celebrations, watched the colourful parade at the majestic Rajpath along with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders.
This is the third time that a Brazilian President was the chief guest at the Republic Day. The last time a Brazilian President was the chief guest was in 2004 when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the parade.
President leaves for Rashtrapati Bhavan
The FlyPast comprised of the ''Trishul'' formation by three ALH helicopters. It is for the first time that a "Tri-service Formation" is taking part in the Republic Day Parade followed by the ''Vic'' formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations.
Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and five MiG-29 Upgrade Air Superiority Fighters in ''Arrowhead'' formation will enthral the audience before the exhilarating Trishul manoeuvre by Su-30 MKIs. The parade will conclude with a Su-30 MKI splitting the sky with a breathtaking ''Vertical Charlie'' aerobatic manoeuvre.
Chinook makes debut at Republic Day flypast
Chinook heavy lift transport helicopters fly in formation over Rajpath making debut at Republic Day flypast 2020.
The Indian Air force has inducted 15 Chinooks for Rs 8,048 crore till now.
Republic Day 2020: All-woman bikers contingent of CRPF makes its debut
In a first, an all-woman bikers contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force makes its debut at the 71st Republic Day. The contingent will be commanded by Inspector Seema Nag, who is posted with the Rapid Action Force (RAF). They are expected to present as many as nine acts of daring bike riding and conclude by forming a human pyramid on multiple motorcycles.
Republic Day: Children perform at Rajpath
Republic Day 2020 parade: Jammu and Kashmir participates for the first time as a union territory
Jammu and Kashmir -- participating in the parade for the first time as a union territory -- showcased the rich sartorial and cultural heritage of the region with a shawl weaver being depicted in the front. The flora and fauna was shown in the middle complemented with the Dogra and Kashmiri folk culture.
The Uttar Pradesh government tableau features glimpses of Kashi's cultural heritage along with the crystalline current of the holy Ganga. It also recreates the 'Sufiana' character of Deva Sharif in Barabanki.
Tamil Nadu was followed by Rajasthan and Telangana.
Twenty-two tableaus - 16 from states and union territories and the rest from various ministries and departments - will take part in the parade. Certain states, such as Bengal and Kerala, will not be represented after their tableau ideas were rejected by the centre.
Republic Day: Tamil Nadu tableau on display at Rajpath
The Tamil Nadu tableau is being displayed at Rajpath. The tableau showcases Iyyanar deity statue as it is installed at the entrance of villages in the state with a belief that he would protect the villagers from "evil forces". Iyyanar deity is also known as the guardian deity of villages.
It also showcases some of the folk dances of Tamil Nadu.
Republic Day 2020 parade: Delhi Police band on display
Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) from Mission Shakti, the Dhanush artillery, the newly-inducted Chinook heavy lift and Apache attack choppers at display for the first time during the parade at the majestic Rajpath.
Indian Army Captain Tanya Shergill leads an all-men contingent at Rajpath. Tanya Shergill is a fourth Generation Army officer.
Display of latest weapons and equipment including Dhanush gun system and Akash weapon system. Akash weapon system is capable of firing short-range surface to air missile against enemy aerial platform.
What To Expect On Republic Day Parade:
- Anti-satellite weapon Shakthi, Army's battle tank Bhishma, infantry combat vehicles and newly inducted Chinook and Apache helicopters of the Indian Air Force will be part of the grand military parade.
- Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff of Delhi Area, will be the second-in-command.
- The first contingent in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers will be 61 Cavalry. The 61 Cavalry is the only active serving horse cavalry regiment in the world. It was raised on August 1, 1953 with the amalgamation of six state forces' cavalry units.
- The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry, eight mechanised columns, six marching contingents and fly-past by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light helicopters of the army aviation wing.
- Indigenously-developed Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma tank, infantry combat vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate, K-9 Vajra and Dhanush guns, transportable satellite terminal and Akash weapon system will be the main attraction in the mechanised columns.
- The other marching contingents of the Army will include the Parachute regiment, the Grenadiers regiment, the Sikh Light Infantry regiment, the Kumaon regiment and the Corps of Signals.
- The Naval contingent will comprise of 144 young sailors led by Lieutenant Jitin Malkat. It will be followed by the Naval Tableau titled "Indian Navy - Silent, Strong, and Swift".
- The Air Force contingent, comprising of 144 air warriors, will be led by Flight Lt Shrikant Sharma. The Air Force tableau showcases scaled down models of the Rafale aircraft, the Tejas aircraft, the Light Combat helicopter, the Akash missiles system and the Astra missiles.
- One of the main highlights will be the marching contingent of DRDO that will showcase Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT) - Mission Shakti, India's first Anti-Satellite mission, was a major breakthrough in demonstrating the nation's capability to bring down hostile satellites.
- For the first time, a contingent of women bikers of CRPF will perform daredevil stunts. The contingent will be led by Inspector Seema Nag who will be seen saluting while standing atop a moving motorcycle.
- The grand finale and the most keenly awaited segment of the parade, the Fly Past will comprise of the "Trishul" formation by three advanced light helicopters.
- It is for the first time that a "tri-service formation" is taking part in the Republic Day Parade. It will be followed by the "Vic" formation of Chinook helicopters, used for airlifting diverse loads to remote locations.
- Apache helicopters, Dornier aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft and the "Globe" formation comprising three C-17 Globemasters are also expected to enthral the people.
- Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft and five MiG-29 upgrade air superiority fighters in "Arrowhead" formation will also display their aerial manoeuvre.
- The parade will culminate with a fleet of Sukhoi-30 MKI jets splitting the sky with a breathtaking "Vertical Charlie" aerobatic manoeuvre.
The Republic Day parade begins with winners of gallantry awards saluting the President in open military jeeps, followed by the display of various tanks, missiles and other equipment added to the arsenal of the military.
PM Modi pays tribute to immortal soldiers at National War Memorial
Republic Day: PM Modi arrives at National War Memorial
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Amar Jawan Jyoti. He will lay a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, in memory of all members of the armed forces who gave up their life for the country. After that there is the 21 gun salute, unfurling of the National Flag and singing of the National Anthem.
Republic Day: 22 Tableux to roll down Rajpath
Twenty-two tableaux - 16 from States and Union Territories and six from various ministries and departments - depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress will roll down Rajpath.
Sixteen tableaux from various states and union territories will depict the geographical and rich cultural diversity of the country.
Various far-reaching reforms of the government including "Start-up India", and "Jal Jeevan Mission" will be showcased in six tableaux from different ministries and departments.
Republic Day 2020 parade: Anti-satellite weapon system on display for first time
The Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile will be on display during the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath today.
In a major defence achievement, India had on March 27, last year, successfully tested an anti-satellite missile by shooting down its own decommissioned satellite that was on a "Low Earth Orbit" at a height of 300-km from the Earth's surface.
The satellite was destroyed in a "hit to kill" mode with a 10-centimetre accuracy, with the satellite and the missile approaching each other at a high speed of nearly 11 km per second.
Two explosions have been reported in Assam's Dibrugarh and Sonari dstricts. Police suspect it to be a grenade blast. No casualties have been reported in both cases. Parish Barua led independent faction of ULFA had given a boycott call of Republic day.
The Republic Day is celebrated to honour the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect.
While the Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, it came into effect on January 26 -- a day when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress back in 1929, as opposed to the Dominion status offered by the British Regime.
PM Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of 71st Republic Day. He tweeted:
- The grand finale, and possibly one of the most keenly awaited segments of the parade, the "Trishul" fly-past will be carried out by three Advanced Light Helicopters and will be the first time a "tri-service formation" will take part in a Republic Day parade.
- This will be followed by a "Vic" formation of Chinook helicopters.
- Another highlight will be the marching contingent of the DRDO, which will showcase the anti-satellite weapon Mission Shakti. A breakthrough weapon, Shakti is proof of the country's capacity in bringing down hostile satellites.
- The Naval continent will comprise 144 young sailors led by Lieutenant Jitin Malkat and will be followed by a naval tableau titled "Indian Navy - Silent, Strong and Swift".
- A contingent of CRPF women bikers will make history by performing daredevil stunts. The contingent will be led by Inspector Seema Nag, who will be seen saluting while standing atop a moving motorcycle.
- The Air Force contingent, comprising 144 air warriors, will be led by Flight Lieutenant Shrikant Sharma. The tableau will showcase scaled-down models of the newly-acquired French-made Rafale fighter jet, the indigenous Tejas aircraft and the Light Combat Helicopter, as well as the Akash and Astra missile systems.
- Five Jaguar deep-penetration strike aircraft and five upgraded MiG-29 air superiority fighters will display their prowess in the ''Arrowhead'' formation.
Here is what you can look forward to:
- 22 tableaus - 16 from states and union territories and the rest from various ministries and departments - will take part in the Republic Day parade.
- The nation's armed forces, so often the highlight of the parade, will once again take centre-stage, with the Army's battle tank Bhishma, Infantry Combat Vehicle Ballway Machine Pikate and the Air Force's brand new Rafale fighter jet and Chinook and Apache helicopters likely to be the stars of the show.
- The Indian Army will be represented by 61 Cavalry in the uniform of the erstwhile Gwalior Lancers; raised in 1953, the 61 Cavalry is the only active horse cavalry regiment in the world.
- The Army will also be represented by six marching columns (including those of the the Kumaon Regiment and the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment), eight mechanised columns and a fly-past by the Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters.