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Republic Day 2017 Highlights: India showcase military power, honour soldiers, display cultural diversity

President Pranab Mukherjee will hoist the national flag during the Republic Day celebrations which will be followed by the much-awaited parade.

India is celebrating its 68th Republic Day on January 26. The celebrations are held to honour the day Constitution of India came into force in the year 1950. The highlights of this year’s Parade will be a 149-member UAE Presidential Guard, the Air Force, the Navy and Army contingent led by a UAE band consisting of 35 musicians marching on Rajpath and presenting a ceremonial salute to the President of India.

This year’s Chief Guest is Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Former President of the United States Barack Obama who joined Prime Minister Narendra  Modi for the Republic Day parade along with his wife Michelle Obama in the year 2015.

Here are the live updates of the event:

-Indian Air Force all way!

-Military police perform daredevils stunts during the celebrations. While the President went on to salute them, the crod unleashed a loud cheer.

-15 motorcycles carrying 60 personnel

-25 children including 12 girls and 13 boys have been selected for national bravery awards.

(Photo: PIB)

-Chief Guest stands up and click pictures of the performances on display. 165 students from the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pitampura performed during the Republic day celebration.

-People have come out in huge numbers to witness the 68th Republic Day celebration in the national capital.

-Check out the beautiful Jammu and Kashmir Tableau

-Tableaux of 17 states on display.

The #Goa tableau at #RepublicDay parade pic.twitter.com/9kebhLDZuN

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

-The Indian Army tableau

UAE contingent at #RepublicDay parade pic.twitter.com/r7EMrm7pP9

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

-The magnificient parade begins

-Watch the live streaming of the Republic Day celebrations here:

Ex servicemen tableau at #RepublicDay parade pic.twitter.com/j8eICEaWE5

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

-President Pranab Mukherjee awarded the Ashoka Chakra (Posthumous) for Havildar Hangpan Dada. The award was received by his wife Chasen Lowang Dada.

-The national flag has been hoisted.

-Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee along with Chief guest, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have arrived at Rajpath. Celebration to begin shortly.

PM Modi and the three service chiefs pay tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/0nqsOyfPMt

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

-Google Doodle celebrates Republic Day too.

-The President will make his address at around 9am which will be followed by the Republic Day parade from Rajnath. The celebrations mark the day the Constitution of India came into force in the year 1950.

 

CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan at #RepublicDay celebrations in Bhopal pic.twitter.com/6bEijYbTga

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

Delhi: BJP President Amit Shah unfurls the tricolour at party HQ #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/SfOxlbRtXy

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam at #RepublicDay celebrations in Chennai pic.twitter.com/8mg7Pnd1ND

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

CM Raman Singh at #RepublicDay celebrations in Raipur pic.twitter.com/UGHGIJNyRE

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 26, 2017

-Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to the extend his greetings on the occassion of Republic Day.

गणतंत्र दिवस की सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। #RepublicDay greetings to everyone.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2017

-Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik makes a sand sculpture on the eve of Republic Day at Puri beach.

Puri : Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik makes a sand sclupture on the eve of Republic Day at Puri beach on Wednesday. PTI Photo (PTI1_25_2017_000212B)

-The Rashtrapati Bhavan had been illuminated last night just ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

Rashtrapati Bhavan and Jaipur Column illuminated to mark Republic Day 2017; illumination will continue till January 29 pic.twitter.com/J7phARCJEK

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) January 25, 2017

– The Delhi Metro has announced that metro services will be partially curtailed on January 26 and January 29 in view of the security arrangements for the Republic Day and Beating Retreat Ceremony respectively.

-Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building was also lit in the form of a tricolour to mark India’s 68th Republic Day. It is for the first time in the iconic tower’s history.

Photo: Twitter/ Burj Khalifa

-Prime Minister Narendra also held discussion with HH Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan over a  number of issues and “shaped an ambitious roadmap to further strengthen India-UAE ties”.


“HH Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan & I agreed to expand our defence & security cooperation, including cooperation in maritime domain. We agreed to sustain the momentum in energy & investments. India welcomes UAE’s interest in investing in our infrastructure sector.UAE is one of our most valued partners and a close friend in an important region of the world,” PM Modi said.

You can listen to their joint statement here: