On January 26, 2019, India celebrates its 70th Republic Day
On January 26, 2019, India celebrated its 70th Republic Day.
This year's celebrations marked the last big public event before the country heads for the national election due by May.
The Republic Day parade, which saw South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as the chief guest, first lady of SA Tshepo Motsepe, President of the country Ramnath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, among several other leaders.
The parade began with the laying of a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate by PM Modi.
It started from Vijay Chowk and passed through Rajpath, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar (BSZ) Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and proceeded for the Red Fort.
Twenty-Two tableaux of states and central government departments were showcased during the 90-minute parade.
With the celebrations, Delhi had been placed under several-layer security network. Women commandos, mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns, and sharpshooters have been deployed across strategic locations to keep a close watch on the eight-km-long Republic Day parade route from Rajpath to the Red Fort in central Delhi.
Fervour sprinkled with immense love for the country was what the 70th Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi was all about!
1. India celebrates its 70th Republic Day today
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Security forces personnel patrol the Rajpath on the eve of Republic Day parade in New Delhi
2. Rajpath
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A view of the Rajpath on the eve of Republic Day parade in the national capital
3. Raisina Hill
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Security forces personnel guard at Raisina Hill on the eve of 70th Republic Day parade in New Delhi- the last big public event before the country heads for the national election
4. Tight security at Rajpath
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Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, tight security has been ensured at Rajpath
5. Several layers of security network
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Delhi has been placed under several-layer security network, with women commandos, mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns, and sharpshooters deployed across several locations from Rajpath to the Red Fort
6. Masses gather for the parade
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Ahead of the Republic Day parade, masses gather at Rajpath in New Delhi
7. PM Narendra Modi pays homage
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PM Narendra Modi pays homage to Bravehearts at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate
8. PM Modi welcomes SA president Cyril Ramaphosa
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President Ramnath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi welcome this year's chief guest, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the celebrations
9. Nazir Ahmad Wani awarded the 'Ashok Chakra' posthumously
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Lance Naik, Nazir Ahmad Wani, awarded the 'Ashok Chakra' posthumously
10. Paramveer Chakra awardees at the parade
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Paramveer Chakra awardees grace the parade on the occasion of 70th Republic Day
11. Akash Missile
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Akash Missile System makes its way down Rajpath on the occasion of 70th Republic Day
12. The ADGPI Service Corps regiment
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Lt. Bhavna Kasturi leads the ADGPI Service Corps regiment at Republic Day 2019 parade
13. The DRDO
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DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) displays Medium range Surface to Air Missile.
This System is an Air and Missile Defence system intended for the protection of own territories, ground forces against attacks by enemy aircraft and guided weapons
14. Bhartiya Nausena
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The Naval Contingent comprising of 144 young sailors is led by Lt. Commander Ambika Sudhakaran as Contingent Commander.
It's followed by Naval tableau titled, ‘Indian Navy– Combat Ready Force for National Security’
15. Assam rifles
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Major Khushboo Kanwar of Assam rifles leads the all-women army contingent
16. National Cadet Corps Boys Contingent
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National Cadet Corps Boys Contingent and National Service Scheme Marching Contingent make their way down Rajpath
17. The Veterans tableau 2019
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The Veterans tableau 2019 showcases the theme, 'Veterans: Accelerators in Nation's Growth'
18. Camel Mounted Band of BSF
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Camel Mounted Band of BSF playing 'Hum Hai Seema Suraksha Bal' at Rajpath on the occasion of 70th Republic Day
19. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra and Sikkim
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Tableaux of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra and Sikkim
20. The tableau of Punjab
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The tableau of Punjab is based on the theme of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre
21. Tableau of Karnataka
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The tableau of Karnataka is based on the 39th session of the Indian National Congress held in Belagavi in 1924, which was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi
22. The tableau of Delhi
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The tableau of Delhi showcases Mahatma Gandhi's association with Delhi and Birla House, which is now known as Gandhi Smriti
23. Arvind and Sunita Kejriwal
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Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal at the Republic Day parade along with his wife Sunita Kejriwal
24. Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal
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Uttar Pradesh tableau showcases Commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, while the West Bengal tableau highlights two key aspects ithe n life of Gandhi- his stay at Kolkata and his association with Rabindranath Tagore
25. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar awardees
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26 children awardees of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar 2019 for their exceptional achievement grace the occasion
26. Bapu Ka Sapna
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Children of government schools of Bihar Eastern Zone, Cultural Centre, Kolkata dance on the song 'Bapu Ka Sapna'
27. Rahul Gandhi and Nitin Gadkari
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Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari at Republic Day parade at Rajpath in Delhi
28. Motorcyclist performing Yoga
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Motorcyclist performing Yoga at Rajpath during Republic Day parade
29. Human pyramid
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33 people on nine motorcycles make a human pyramid as Subedar Major Ramesh A leads this formation
30. Corps of Signals Motor Cycle Team
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Corps of Signals Motor Cycle Team salutes the president with daredevil acts in the Parade under the dynamic leadership of Captain Manpreet Singh
31. Flypast at Republic Day parade
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Flypast at Republic Day parade 2019 in Delhi
32. PM Modi greets the crowd
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets crowds as the Republic Day parade in Delhi comes to an end
