On the 69th Republic Day, India showcased its military might and traditions coupled with the latest initiatives and achievements along with rich diverse social and cultural heritage at a mega event at Delhi's Rajpath on Friday. PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to jawans who laid down their lives for the country by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.
It is for the first time ever that leaders of 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries - Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos and Brunei graced the Republic Day parade as chief guests.
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi today extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day. "Greetings on #RepublicDay. Jai Hind!", tweeted the prime minister.
HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS:
11:34 am: A lone Su-30 MKI flying at a speed of 900 km/hr splits the sky with a 'Vertical Charlie'.
11:33 am: Five Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, in 'Arrowhead' formation are the next to fly past at a height of 300 m and a speed of 780 km/h.
11:33 am: Tejas is an Indigenisation combat ready fighter aircraft developed and manufactured in India. This aircraft is a lightweight, supersonic, multi-role, single-east fighter; with the state-of-art technologies. In Indian Air Force, the aircraft has been inducted into 45 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, the 'Flying Daggers'.
11:30 am: The main fly-past commences with the 'Rudra' formation, comprising three ALH Mk IV WSI helicopters in 'Vic' formation.
11:28 am: 29 Seema Bhawanis deftly balance themselves on seven motorcycles.
11:26 am: For the first time, 113 women from the Border Security Force roar across the Rajpath performing breathtaking stunts on motorcycles. The women squad has been named Seema Bhavani or the border braves.
11:14 am: 155 students of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Jahangirpuri, Delhi presented a dance on the song titled "Bharat Ke Rang".
11:10 am: 18 children including 7 girls and 11 boys have been selected for the National Bravery Awards 2017. Three of the Awards have been given posthumously.
11:09 am: The Income Tax tableau shows the collective support of the people of India to the Clean Money drive.
11:08 am: Indian Council of Agricultural Research displays the Integrated Farming System (IFS) model in its tableau.
11:04 am: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA), Government of India's tableau showcases a landmark scheme for Minor Forest Produce Sector.
11:03 am: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports tableau is to promote awareness about the flagship program of Department of Sports, Government of India namely Khelo India.
11:02 am: ITBP tableau is a depiction of the gallant services and valour of ITBP. The front part showcases two ITBP soldiers patrolling on a snow scooter to depict the key role of ITBP in securing the Indo-China frontier.
11:00 am: "Century of Sabarmati Ashram and Gandhiji" forms the theme of the tableau from the state of Gujarat.
10:57 am: The tableaux of the State of Himachal Pradesh present the largest and a thousand years old monastery in Spiti Valley-Kye Monastery.
10:54 am: The Kerala tableau showcases Kettukazhcha, an offering of devotees associated with the temple festivals and farming community in the state.
10:52 am: Chhattisgarh's tableau showcases the country's ancient Amphitheatre situated on the hills of Ramgarh in Chhattisgarh's Sarguja district.
10:51 am: The Lakshadweep tableau highlights the unique local culture of the people of Lakshadweep and the potential of fishing and its significance as a sustainable industry for the Union territory.
10:50 am: The Maharashtra tableau showcases coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
10:46 am: The second ASEAN-India tableau projects religion as one of the strongest linkages between India and the South East Asia.
10:43 am: The ASEAN-India tableau portrays educational, historical and civilisational links as the binding force between India and the ASEAN countries.
10:41 am: The tableau of Akashvani showcases its historic journey of more than eight decades in the domain of public service, promotion and preservation of socio-cultural and linguistic heritage of the country and its contemporary role.
10:40 am: Contingent Commander Anupriya Dhiman of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar is leading the NSS marching contingent comprising 160 volunteers including boys and girls.
10:39 am: Senior Under Officer Puja Nikam is proudly leading the NCC Contingent consisting of 147 Senior Wing Cadets (Girls) drawn from all 17 Directorates of the NCC.
10:38 am: The band of the Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani, is led by Senior Under Officer Muskan Aggarwal.
10:38 am: Senior Under Officer Pawan Singh Papola is leading the 147 young and smart Senior Division Cadets (Boys) marching contingent.
10:37 am: Assistant Commissioner of Police Anant Mittal is leading the smartly attired men from the Delhi Police marching contingent comprising one Gazetted Officer, three Sub Inspectors, 24 Head Constables and 120 Constables.
10:36 am: Playing the 'Delhi Police' song, Band Master Sub Inspector Rajinder Singh leads the Delhi Police Band comprising 68 personnel including four Sub Inspectors.
10:35 am: Band Master Inspector Diwakar Prasad is leading the band from the Indo Tibetan Border Police. Proudly marching in their ceremonial attire they are playing the famous tune "Sare Jahan se Achha Hindustan Hamara".
10:34 am: The Camel Contingent of the BSF under the command of Deputy Commandant Kuldeep J Choudhary.
10:33 am: Nirbhay Missile tableau is led by Captain Kunal Kumar of 196 Medium Regiment. Nirbhay Missile, the indigenously developed Long Range Subsonic Cruise Missile developed by DRDO has the capability to fly at a very low altitude to evade radar detection besides having loitering capability.
10:29 am: Brahmos Missile System of 881 Missile Regiment is led by Captain Meghraj Yadav. The only Super Sonic Cruise Missile presently available in the world, it can engage targets upto a range of 290 Kms, travelling at the speed of 2.8 mach.
10:15 am: The Indian Army displayed the T-90 tank (Bhishma), Ballway Machine Pikate (II/IIK), Brahmos Missile System, Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi), Bridge Laying Tank T-72, Mobile Base Transceiver Station and Akash Weapon System.
10:00 am: Ashoka Chakra awarded to Late Air Force Commando JP Nirala, who lost his life in Bandipora encounter. President Kovind presents award to JP Nirala's mother and wife.
09:40 am: PM Narendra Modi arrives at Rajpath for Republic Day.
09:32 am: PM Modi pays homage to the 'immortal soldier' at Amar Jawan Jyoti.
09:30 am: PM Narendra Modi, all three service chiefs reach Amar Jawan Jyoti.
08:48 am: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah unfurled tricolor at party headquarter in Delhi on the occasion of 69th Republic Day.
08:32 am: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley took to Twitter and said, "I wish nation on the 69th anniversary of Republic Day."
08:02 am: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar also extended his warm wishes and greetings to the people of Goa. "This day reminds us of our great constitution makers, who adopted great ideas of our independence movement through the constitution. I wish everyone a very happy Republic day," Parrikar said.
07:55 am: "Greetings on #RepublicDay. Jai Hind!", tweets PM Narendra Modi.
07:32 am: Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, security has also been beefed up across the country. Nearly 60,000 security personnel drawn from the Delhi Police and central security forces have been deployed in Central Delhi.
07:21 am: The traffic police has also deployed over 1,500 personnel to manage route diversions and ensure safe and secure passage for the visiting dignitaries.
07:18 am: On the eve of Republic Day, Rashtrapati Bhavan was decorated beautifully with lights.
07:14 am: Tableaux from 14 States and Union Territories, Nine Central Ministries, Departments and Central Paramilitary Force will present the varied historical, art and cultural heritage of the country. They will also showcase country's progress in different fields, particularly floats from Karnataka, Gujarat, Tripura, Maharashtra, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Kerala with their varied themes, which will be of special attraction.
07:12 am: Snipers have been stationed atop high-rise buildings while scores of CCTV cameras are keeping a tight vigil on people’s movements on the parade route.
07:10 am: The number of doors with metal detectors has also been increased to ensure that people don’t have to stand in queues while entering, the official added.
07:08 am: As per reports, no commercial flights will land or take off at the Indira Gandhi International Airport from 10.35 am to 12.15 pm.
07:07 am: Patrolling in public places has been intensified and checking and frisking in metro, railway stations and bus terminals tightened.
07:04 am: The police is also using counter-drone technology to thwart any attack or identify any suspicious flying object, a senior police officer said.
07:01 am: The national flag will be unfurled by President Ram Nath Kovind, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.
06:45 am: The floats of All India Radio, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Income Tax Department will showcase the rapid development of some of the flagship programmes of the Government.
06:33 am: The national flag will be unfurled by President Ram Nath Kovind, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. This will be succeeded by the cheerful tune of the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute.
06:20 am: Five helicopters will salute the President and his Guests of honour, displaying the tricolour, the ASEAN flag and the flags of three wings of the armed forces.
