Republic Day 2019: India displays military might, cultural diversity with parade at Rajpath
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!
Security forces personnel patrol the Rajpath on the eve of Republic Day parade in New Delhi
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
Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, tight security has been ensured at Rajpath
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
Ahead of the Republic Day parade, masses gather at Rajpath in New Delhi
PM Narendra Modi pays homage to Bravehearts at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate
President Ramnath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi welcome this year's chief guest, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the celebrations
Lance Naik, Nazir Ahmad Wani, awarded the 'Ashok Chakra' posthumously
Paramveer Chakra awardees grace the parade on the occasion of 70th Republic Day
Lt. Bhavna Kasturi leads the ADGPI Service Corps regiment at Republic Day 2019 parade
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
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’
National Cadet Corps Boys Contingent and National Service Scheme Marching Contingent make their way down Rajpath
The Veterans tableau 2019 showcases the theme, 'Veterans: Accelerators in Nation's Growth'
Camel Mounted Band of BSF playing 'Hum Hai Seema Suraksha Bal' at Rajpath on the occasion of 70th Republic Day
Tableaux of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra and Sikkim
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
The tableau of Delhi showcases Mahatma Gandhi's association with Delhi and Birla House, which is now known as Gandhi Smriti
Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal at the Republic Day parade along with his wife Sunita Kejriwal
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
26 children awardees of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar 2019 for their exceptional achievement grace the occasion
Children of government schools of Bihar Eastern Zone, Cultural Centre, Kolkata dance on the song 'Bapu Ka Sapna'
Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari at Republic Day parade at Rajpath in Delhi
33 people on nine motorcycles make a human pyramid as Subedar Major Ramesh A leads this formation
Corps of Signals Motor Cycle Team salutes the president with daredevil acts in the Parade under the dynamic leadership of Captain Manpreet Singh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets crowds as the Republic Day parade in Delhi comes to an end