Republic Day 2021: India show its Military power and Cultural diversity at Rajpath

New Delhi: India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day, the day its Constitution came into force in 1950. Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the 72nd Republic day celebrations at Rajpath witnessing two big events--Republic Day celebrations and a farmers' tractor parade--the city has been brought under heavy security cover with the deployment of thousands of security personnel in central Delhi and several border points.

With COVID-19 protocols in place and the protesting farmers’ tractor march scheduled in the national capital, Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi will wear an altogether different look this year. While gravity-defying stunts by motorcycle-borne men will be missing, the spectator size too has been reduced to 25,000 from around 1.25 lakh last year.

The security personnel are keeping a hawk-eyed vigil over Rajpath, where President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be celebrating the occasion along with other dignitaries and thousands of people.

The Republic Day parade ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial. As per tradition, the national flag was unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The Republic Day parade is underway.

In its 72nd Republic Day, India has show its military might with Rafale fighter jets taking part in the flypast for the the first time and the armed forces showcasing T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets.

Total 32 tableaus - 17 from states and union territories, six from the Defence ministry and nine from other Union ministries and paramilitary forces -- depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage, economic progress and defence prowess roll down the Rajpath at the Republic Day parade.

A 122-member proud contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces marched on Rajpath.

The Indian Navy's tableau at the Republic Day parade this year will showcase models of Indian naval ship (INS) Vikrant and naval operations that were conducted during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

06:16 AM Farmers mass in Indian capital ahead of Republic Day protests

Tens of thousands of farmers gathered on the outskirts of India's capital New Delhi on Tuesday, ahead of a tractor procession aimed at protesting a controversial set of agricultural laws.
Thousands more, on tractors decorated with the flags of India and farm unions, have been streaming into the capital from neighbouring states for several days ahead of the rally that coincides with India's Republic Day.

06:16 AM Six police officers awarded JK Police medals for meritorious services
The government has awarded Jammu and Kashmir Police medal for meritorious service to six police personnel, Rashmi Ranjan Swain, ADGP, CID; Satish Khandare, ADGP, UT of Ladakh; Harmeet Singh Mehta, SSP, Kishtwar; Rajni Sharma, Additional SP, Ramban; Ghulam Shah Rubbani, SI and Mushtaq Ahmad, SI.

06:16 AM UK PM Boris Johnson greets India on R-Day, says working together to eliminate COVID

06:17 AM R-Day Parade: India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress to be displayed today
India's military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress will be on display during the 72nd Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Rajpath in the national capital today.
Apart from tableaus of Armed forces, 17 tableaus from different states and nine tableaus from different ministries/departments of the central government and Paramilitary Forces and six from Ministry of Defence will also be on display during the annual parade.

6;17 AM 38 Delhi cops awarded police medal, Seventeen have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), three President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 18 Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of the Republic Day.

6:36 AM The Republic Day Parade ceremony will commence with PM Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial. He will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the parade.

6:59 AM Group Captain Kesavan Harisankar awarded Vishisht Seva Medal
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, in the coming days, will confer the VSM on Group Captain Harisankar at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The honour is conferred in recognition of distinguished service of high order and lifetime achievements in service to the nation and is a prestigious peacetime military award in the country.

7:08 AM As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The parade will commence with President Shri Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute. The parade will be commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, Ati Vishisth Seva medal, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area. Major General Alok Kacker, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the Parade Second-in-Command.

7:10 AM Next in line the proud winners of the highest gallantry awards
They include the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra. Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles and Ashok Chakra winner Lieutenant Colonel D Sreeram Kumar will follow the Deputy Parade Commander on Jeeps.
The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy. The Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice but, other than, in the face of the enemy.

7:13 AM PM Narendra Modi wishes nation on Republic Day

7:25 AM Tight security for Republic Day celebrations, tractor parade

7:34 AM Uttarakhand temple celebrates Republic Day

7:44 AM Rajasthan: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot hoists the Tricolour at CM residence in Jaipur

8:11 AM Gujarat: The Tricolour unfurled at the RSS office in Ahmedabad Organisation's Chief Mohan Bhagwat also present.

07:56 AM Farmers' tractors with Tricolour ready for Republic Day

8:24 AM Indo-Tibetan Border Police jawans marching with the national flag on a frozen water body in Ladakh on Republic Day

8:24 AM TN Governor Lays wreath at the War Memorial at Rajaji Salai, in Chennai

8:39 AM Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal unfurls the national flag, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also present

8:40 AM India's colourful heritage comes alive in Google's Republic Day doodle

8:57 AM Protesting farmers break police barricading at Delhi-Haryana Tikri border
             Farmers are holding tractor rally today in protest against Centre's three Farm Laws

9:03 AM Farmers' tractor rally begins at Delhi's Dhansa border

9:07 AM Spectators at Delhi's Rajpath seated following strict social distancing protocols

9:13 AM Internet services in J&K temporarily suspended
Jammu and Kashmir: Mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended across Kashmir valley as a security measure, in view of Republic Day celebrations.

9:25 AM Kejriwal greets people on Republic Day
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal greeted people on the 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, saluting the "commitment and struggles of farmers, corona warriors and soldiers of the country".

9:26 AM Delhi: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar unfurls the national flag at his residence

9:38 AM PM visits National War Memorial
             PM pays homage to brave martyrs
9:40 AM Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the nation in paying tribute to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial at the India Gate

9:48 AM PM signs the ceremonial book at the National War Memorial at the India Gate

9:49 AM Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, other union ministers wish the nation on 72nd Republic Day

9:50 AM Prime Minister Modi is wearing a special 'Paghdi' from Jamnagar, today
The first such 'Paghdi' was gifted to the PM by the royal family of Jamnagar, Gujarat.

10:03 AM Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala unfurls the national flag on Republic Day

10:04 AM President Ram Nath Kovind arrives at Rajpath for the Republic Day parade and celebrations

10:05 AM The Tricolour unfurled at Rajpath in the presence of President, Prime Minister

10:08 AM 21 Gun Salute presented by Ceremonial Battery of 223 Field Regiment following the unfurling of the national flag

10:11 AM Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, leads this year's Republic Day parade, as the Parade Commander

10:13 AM Winners of the Param Vir Chakra & the Ashok Chakra parade down Rajpath

10:17 AM The main battle tank of the Indian Army, T- 90 Bhishma, which is commanded by Captain Karanveer Singh Bhangu of 54 Armoured Regiment goes past the saluting dais

10:18 AM Marching Contingent & Band of Bangladesh Army participate in Republic Day parade
The contingent is being led by Lt Col Abu Mohammed Shahnoor Shawan. The 122-member strong contingent is participating in the parade for the first time.

10:19 AM The Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the Brahmos Missile system is led by Captain Quamrul Zaman

10:23 AM Pinaka Multi Launcher Rocket System of 841 Rocket Regiment (Pinaka) being led by Capt Vibhor Gulati

10:26 AM The marching contingent Garhwal Rifles is led by Captain Rajpoot Saurabh Singh of 17th Battalion

10:27 AM Naval Brass Band led by Sumesh Rajan, playing the Indian Navy Song tune ‘Jai Bharti’ marches down Rajpath

10:29 AM Captain Preeti Choudhary of 140 Air Defence Regiment (Self Propelled) leads upgraded Schilka Weapon system

10:31 AM Flt Lt Bhawna Kanth, one of the first three female fighter pilots of the country, is part of the Indian Air Force tableau

10:38 AM Indian Navy's tableau with the theme of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ being displayed at Republic Day parade

10:39 AM The Camel contingent of the Border Security Force under the command of Deputy Commandant Ghanshyam Singh

10:41 AM A contingent of the National Security Guard (NSG) also known as the Black Cat Commandoes march down Rajpath

10:49 AM DRDO contingent this year consists of two Tableaus: Light Combat Aircraft-Navy - Take off from INS Vikramaditya and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles

10:50 AM NCC Girls marching contingent led by Senior Under Officer Samruddhi Harshal Sant of NCC Directorate, Maharashtra

10:51 AM The display of cultural tableaux begins at Republic Day parade, with Ladakh leading. It's the first-ever tableau of the UT

10:52 AM A replica of the Sun Temple at Modhera displayed on the Gujarat tableau

10:58 AM Tableau of Punjab showcases the glory of 9th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The tableau has the theme '400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur'

10:58 AM Republic is from you, it belongs to you: Rahul Gandhi wishes people on R-Day

11:06 AM Designed after the theme 'Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh', the tableau of Uttar Pradesh also displays Ram Mandir

11:15 AM COVID' the tableau of the Department of Biotechnology on display

11:39 AM 'Rudra’ formation comprising a Dakota aircraft flanked by 2 Mi-17 IV helicopters
Dakotas were instrumental in airlifting troops into Kashmir Valley to repel invaders from across border in 1947. They played a significant role in Tangail airdrop leading to Bangladesh's liberation

11:40 AM One Rafale with 2 Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft & 2 MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighters, in 'Eklavya’ formation are the next to fly past, at a height of 300m & speed of 780 Km/h

11:45 AM The ‘Trinetra’ formation comprising of three Su-30MKIs - the three aircraft split outwards and upwards, forming a ‘Trishul in the Sky’

11:48 AM Republic Day parade culminates with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’

11:54 AM Punjab, Haryana join nation in celebrating 72nd R-Day
Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore unfurled the national flag at a state-level function in Mohali.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh hoisted the tricolour in Patiala, while his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar unfurled the national flag in Panchkula, the officials said.
Both Singh and Khattar conveyed their greetings to people on the occasion.

12:05 PM No entry at Rajpath, no celebrations at school: COVID plays dampener for children's R-day spirit
School children, who turn up in large numbers at the Republic Day parade every year, were confined to their homes this time, hooked to their TV sets to watch the festivities.

12:23 PM Republic Day parade: Uttarakhand tableau features Lord Shiva's vehicle Nandi, Kedarnath dham

12:30 PM Patriotic fervour marks Republic Day celebrations in Jharkhand
Chief Minister Hemant Soren took the salute at the Police Lines in the second state capital Dumka.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that his government was working with dedication to ensure social justice and development in the state.

12:32 PM Our history is long and our connections are many. With each year, we become even closer. The global pandemic has not divided us but has made us appreciate these shared ideals even more
- PM of Australia, Scott Morrison

12:32 PM What wonderful coincidence it's of our history that Jan 26 Australia Day, is India's Republic Day, a national day shared b/w friends. Australia-India share more than national day. We pursue same ideals-democracy, freedom, liberty, diversity, enterprise, opportunity
- Australian PM

12:34 PM Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar unfurled the national flag in Panchkula today

12:47 PM Republic Day parade: Maharashtra tableau depicts its link with 'Bhakti' and 'Shakti'
It displayed the Saints of Maharashtra which highlighted the influence of 'Bhakti Movement' which had brought a great change in the religious beliefs of people in the state, and freed devotion from the shackles of rituals, promoting equality and brotherhood.