The 68th Republic Day was celebrated on Thursday across the nation, from Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to the northeastern states, with pomp and pageantry, with the grand function in the national capital being the cynosure of all eyes. Seven bomb blasts occurred in Assam, in a dampner to the Republic Day function there.
In New Delhi, an overcast sky drizzling intermittently, led to some moments of anxiousness -- but the rain gods were kind enough to relent till after the event was over.
Paying tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti. pic.twitter.com/uj5hGZOTlX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2017
On both sides of Rajpath, a crowd of about 50,000 people -- including Indian and foreign dignitaries -- and jubilant children dressed in colourful dresses cheering and waving the Indian flag -- set the tone for a perfect start to the Republic Day celebration.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was the Chief Guest, watched the parade alongside President Pranab Mukherjee, from inside a special enclousure. President Mukherjee, who is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, took the salute at his last Republic Day parade, as his term is due to end in July.
The proceedings began with President Mukherjee unfurling the Tricolour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tributes to the fallen soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.
I thank HH Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for joining us during the #RepublicDay celebrations today. @MBZNews pic.twitter.com/SwrO2yYMEp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2017
A 149-member UAE military contingent participated in the parade this time. Led by Lt Col Abood Musabeh Abood Musabeh Alghfeli, it comprised of the UAE Presidential Guard, the Air Force, the Navy, the Army and a band of 35 musicians.
This was followed by military and paramilitary contingents, including mounted troops from the 61st Cavalry and mechanised columns. Martial music belted out by military bands filled the air as soldiers drawn from some of the finest military units marched with clockwork precision.
Making its debut were India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C), both developed indigenously. Despite overcast conditions, three of the fighter jets flew at a height of 300 metres from the ground at a speed of 780 km per hour in 'VIC' formation, leaving the spectators in awe.
Joined the #RepublicDay celebrations. Here are some pictures. pic.twitter.com/3EguSWjo6L
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2017
The maiden appearance of the elite counter-terrorism force, National Security Guard (NSG), was an added charm to this year's celebration.
After the armed forces came the state tableaux, displaying India's oneness amid a rich diversity.
The parade ended with a spectacular fly-past by the Air Force, with aircraft and helicopters setting the skies ablaze. Mi-17 V5 helicopters flew with the Indian flag and showered flower petals.
CM Parkash Singh Badal addressed the public on the 68th Republic Day function at Mohali recalling the spirit of patriotism amongst Punjabis pic.twitter.com/DqcqO6zFbm
— Shiromani Akali Dal (@Akali_Dal_) January 26, 2017
The President presented a posthumous Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award, to the wife of Havildar Hangpan Dada of Assam Regiment, who killed four terrorists before dying in Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir.
Elsewhere in the country, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik unfurled the national flag at the Vidhan Sabha building in Lucknow. He also urged the people to vote in the upcoming state assembly elections, starting from February 11.
The Republic Day was celebrated across Bihar, with Governor Ram Nath Kovind hoisting the tricolour at Patna, while in Rajasthan, Governor Kalyan Singh unfurled the national flag at the Umaid Stadium of Jodhpur.
#PresidentMukherjee hosted an ‘At Home’ Reception to mark the 68th Republic Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan today pic.twitter.com/WzhaPPz9Ct
— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) January 26, 2017
In Jharkhand capital of Ranchi, Governor Droupadi Murmu hoisted the tricolour. Addressing the gathering, he recounted the government's steps to bring straying youths back into the mainstream of society.
In the cultural capital Kolkata, Governor K.N. Tripathi took the salute, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others joined him in the celebration.
In the technology hub of India and capital of Karnataka, Bengaluru, the Republic Day was celebrated with pomp and show, with Governor Vajubahia Vala unfurling the tricolour, while in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar, Governor S.C. Jamir unfurled the tricolour and took the salute.
Greetings to fellow citizens on the 68th Republic Day. Let us pledge to honour our country by fulfilling our duties as citizens of India. pic.twitter.com/xB81mgE4ra
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 26, 2017
In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam hoisted the national flag and described the state as the "thought leader" for the rest of India, while in Maharashtra, Governor C.H. Vidyasagar Rao unfurled the tricolour and took salute at a ceremonial parade at the historic Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam hoisted the tricolour during the Republic Day function at the Marina beach, that had been overtaken by thousands of protesting youth till a few days ago to demand the holding of Jallikattu. As Maharashtra Governor C.H. Vidyasagar Rao is holding additional charge in Tamil Nadu, Panneerselvam hoisted the tricolour here.
In Andhra Pradesh, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan unfurled the national flag in Vijayawada's Indira Gandhi Stadium, while Narasimhan unfurled the flag in capital city Hyderabad for Telangana.
Commemorating the adoption, enactment and enforcement of the constitution of India on this 68th anniversary! Happy Republic Day! pic.twitter.com/C4WSFcihGO
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) January 26, 2017
Uttarakhand Governor K.K. Paul unfurled the tricolor at the Parade Ground in Dehradun amid tight security.
Punjab and Haryana celebrated the Day despite rain in some parts of both states. Chandigarh and its surrounding areas had been experiencing rain since Wednesday evening itself. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal unfurled the national flag in Mohali, adjoining Chandigarh.
In Arunachal Pradesh's capital Itangar, Governor V. Shanmuganathan unfurled the flag, and said the state is determined to achieve unprecedented growth. There were reports of Republic Day celebrations from the other northeastern states also.
'India resplendent in China'
— India in China (@EOIBeijing) January 24, 2017
Embassy of India, Beijing celebrates the 68th Republic Day of India. pic.twitter.com/tGJTRD1jPL
In Assam, seven explosions took place in three districts, with police blaming the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). No one was injured in any of the blasts which took place in four locations of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo districts of eastern Assam almost simultaneously.
Militant groups had called for a boycott of Republic Day celebrations in the northeastern region.
Braving bone-chilling weather amid snowfall and rain, people celebrated Republic Day across Himachal Pradesh.
INDIANS ACROSS THE WORLD MARK 68TH REPUBLIC DAY
The Indian diaspora across the world celebrated the country's 68th Republic Day with zeal and fervour by hoisting the national flag and organising cultural events.
The Indian community in Sri Lanka gathered in large numbers to celebrate Republic Day. The main function was held at India House in Colombo where High Commissioner Taranjeet Singh Sandhu unfurled the Tricolour.
In Nepal, Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae led the celebrations. He hoisted the national flag and read out the message of President Pranab Mukherjee. He also distributed cheques worth around four crore rupees to the widows and next of kin of deceased soldiers of the Indian armed forces.
The embassy also donated books to 60 educational institutions of Nepal. Reaffirming India's commitment towards the economic development of Nepal, the embassy gifted 20 ambulances and four buses to various hospitals, non-profitable charitable organisations and educational institutions.
Thank you PM Netanyahu. Your wishes are indeed special. https://t.co/9jvYZt5Jb0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2017
In Bangladesh, Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Sringla opened the celebrations by unfurling the Tricolour at the new Chancery Complex in Baridhara. Hundreds of people of the Indian community participated with a great deal of patriotic fervour in the celebrations. A colourful programme showcasing India's diverse culture was put up by youngsters of the community.
In Ukraine's capital Kiev, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Indian Embassy in the presence of expats, which was followed by the singing of the national anthem. Indian envoy Manoj K. Bharti read out Mukherjee's speech on the occasion.
In Brunei, High Commissioner Nagma M. Mallick unfurled the Tricolour at the India Chancery premises. The ceremony was attended by about 100 members of the Indian community, that included businessman Mohinder Singh Bhullar, who was awarded the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman award in 2010 and Nazeer Ahamed Mohamed Zackiriah, who was conferred the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman award in Bengaluru in January, 2017.
A happy #RepublicDay to India.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) January 26, 2017
The ceremony was followed by interaction with the Indian community.
Republic Day was also celebrated at the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, the Consulate General of India in Bali and at the Consulate General of India in Medan with gaiety and fervour. A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Indian Embassy attended by nearly 300 members of the community. About 80 schoolchildren from three Indian schools performed on patriotic songs. Indian cuisines were served to the vast gathering.
India celebrates Republic Day today. Congratulations from Vladimir Putin https://t.co/vaBxxV05UO
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 26, 2017
To mark the occasion, flag-hoisting ceremonies and several cultural programmes were also organised in China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia.
