New Delhi:
Republic Day 2019: India is celebrating its 70th Republic Day today. The highlight of the celebrations will be the majestic parade on Delhi’s Rajpath today. The parade will showcase India’s military might and cultural diversity. The parade will start at 9.50 am from Vijay Chowk and pass through Rajpath, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar (BSZ) Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and proceed for the Red Fort. A function will also be held at India Gate at 09.00 am, the traffic police said. In order to facilitate smooth passage of the parade, movement of vehicles on certain roads leading to the parade route will be restricted, they said.
Here are LIVE updates from Delhi and across the nation:
Indian Air Force fighter jets impress audience with stunning flypast
Motorcyclists showcase Yoga display, at Rajpath during Republic Day parade
#republicdayindia : Motorcyclists showcase Yoga display, at Rajpath during Republic Day parade pic.twitter.com/fRWaxXAYtS
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019
And now the moment is here… the commandos stun the audience with their amazing stunts.
Looks like on this special day, politicians have set aside their differences as the watch the stunning parade. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is seen sitting next to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. They can be seen sharing a light moment.
School children give beautiful dance performance just before the Indian Air Force’s flypast begins.
26 children, who have been awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar 2019 for their exceptional achievement take part in the Republic Day parade.
Tunes of ‘kadam, kadam badhaye jaa’ fill the air on historic Rajpath as smart contingents of armed forces march during the parade.
Amidst loud cheer and applause, Assam Rifles’ all-women contingent marches on Rajpath
Meanwhile, away in Siliguri on Indo-Bangla border, BSF troops exchange sweets with their Bangladeshi counterparts at Fulbari
On the occasion of 70th #republicdayindia, BSF exchange sweets with their Bangladeshi counterparts, at Fulbari, at Indo-Bangladesh border near Siliguri in West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/NjMll2gZec
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019
10:18 am: This is the very moment India officially became a ‘Republic’
K-9 Vajra, a self-propelled howitzer, commanded by Captain Devansh Bhutani is seen on Rajpath
Visuals of the K-9 Vajra-T, a self-propelled howitzer, commanded by Captain Devansh Bhutani #republicdayindia pic.twitter.com/czufPJMQBK
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019
The celebrations begin on a solemn note as President Ram Nath Kovind honours Lance Naik Nazir (posthumously) with Ashok Chakra.
President Ram Nath Kovind has reached the Rajpath. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Chief Guest of this year’s Republic Day celebrations, has also reached the venue.
President Ram Nath Kovind’s cavalcade will reach the Rajpath shortly
All three service chiefs along with Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are also present at Amar Jawan Jyoti.
The ‘Last Post’ is being played at Amar Jawan Jyoti right now. It is a symbol of paying tributes to the martyrs.
Dressed in smart kurta and churidar, Prime Minister Modi is sporting his signature ‘bandhani’ saafa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay solemn tributes to the martyred soldiers
Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari unfurl the tricolour at their respective residences in Delhi
#RepublicDay2019 : Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari unfurl the tricolour at their respective residences in Delhi pic.twitter.com/QitEVFmRMJ
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath present at Republic Day in Lucknow
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath present at #RepublicDay2019 celebrations in Lucknow. pic.twitter.com/MTicyDRU1n
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 26, 2019
Back in Delhi, the parade will begin on Rajpath at 9.50 am. Before this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay tribute at the Amar Jawan Jyoti
Republic Day celebrations begin in Bhubaneswar. Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal is present at the event
Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal present at #RepublicDay2019 celebrations in Bhubaneswar. pic.twitter.com/iFF8PTzkjG
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019
BJP President Amit Shah unfurls the Tricolour at the party office in Delhi
BJP President Amit Shah unfurls the tricolour at the party office in Delhi #RepublicDay2019 pic.twitter.com/if1YfxwaaG
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019
The excitement is palpable: Several people have already taken their seats before the start of the parade
Crowds gather for the #RepublicDay2019 parade at Rajpath in Delhi. President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa is the chief guest at the parade today. pic.twitter.com/dZCOKSXTiY
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019
Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot-air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of National Capital Territory of Delhi from January 9 to February 9
On Republic Day, no vehicular movement will be allowed on Tilak Marg, BSZ Marg and Subhash Marg in both directions from 10 am onwards, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar said.
Boarding and de-boarding will not be allowed between 8.45am and 12 pm at Lok Kalyan Marg (Race Course) and Patel Chowk metro stations
According to Delhi Police, Parakram vans, manned by NSG-trained commandos, have been patrolling strategic locations to ensure that security is not jeopardised.
Women commandos, mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters have been deployed at 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.
