Highlights: India celebrates 70th Republic Day - As it happened
The parade comes to a close. Bodyguards have taken the President back to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. All the tableau is out on display near the Red Fort for the next three days for the general public to see. As the day's proceedings came to an end, an air display with Rudra formation, comprising three ALH Mk IV weaponised helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation dazzled the skies. Earlier, Stunts by Corps of Signals Motor Cycle team and cultural performances entertained the crowds at Rajpath. The States' tableau began with Sikkim followed by Maharashtra, Andaman & Nicobar, Assam, Tripura, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in his 150th birth anniversary was the common theme in all of these tableaus.The Republic Day Parade Ceremony commenced at 9:50 AM with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti under India Gate. An eternal flame burns at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the indomitable courage of our Armed Forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland. It is symbolised by a reversed rifle standing on its barrel and crested by a soldier’s helmet. This year all women marching contingent of the Assam Rifles took part for the first time. Major Khusboo Kanwar lead the contingent. As per tradition, after unfurling the National Flag, the national anthem was played with a 21 gun salute. The parade then commenced and the President will took the salute.
The original date of Indian independence, 26 January, ultimately chosen as the first Republic Day returns again, promising to be even more spectacular as the constitution ages to become a septuagenarian.
This year too will be more or less follow the same routine, albeit with a few differences. DH previews everything to expect from this year’s parade.
In anticipation of the 70th Republic Day celebrations, DH has been reporting on R-Day preparations and everything else making the news. Scroll up and check out some of our coverage.
India's first National War Memorial is ready
The iconic and grandiose India Gate vista is all set to change permanently as the National War Memorial is now ready for inauguration. Read more
R-Day flower show: Gandhi comes alive to curb littering
The idea behind having Mahatma Gandhi as the theme ofthis year’s Republic Day flower showis to curb littering at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, the venue of the annual event. Read more
Kalasa tribal leader gets R-Day invite
Krishnappa, a member Gowdalu tribal community and a resident of Bedakki, has been invited to witness the prestigious Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26. Read more
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