- President Droupadi Murmu, French President Macron leave from Kartavya Path in traditional buggy: reports PTI
- French Rafales, marching contingent take part in Republic Day parade: reports PTI
- Indigenous weapon locating radar, drone jammer feature in R-Day parade: reports PTI
- 75th Republic Day parade begins on Kartavya Path: reports PTI
- Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of 105 Helicopter Unit shower flower petals on audience present at Kartavya Path:reports PTI
- President Droupadi Murmu unfurls national flag on 75th Republic Day: reports PTI
- President Droupadi Murmu, French President Emmanuel Macron arrive at Kartavya Path in traditional buggy: reports PTI
- Prime Minister Modi pays tributes at National War Memorial: reports PTI
75th Republic Day parade begins on Kartavya Path
The 75th Republic Day parade commenced on the Kartavya Path on Friday with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute.
Parade Commander and General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar led the parade, followed by Parade Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff HQ, Delhi Area, Major General Sumit Mehta.
Winners of the highest gallantry awards, including the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra, followed the parade commander.
They include Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (retired) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar (retired), and Ashok Chakra winners Major General CA Pithawalla (retired), Colonel D Sreeram Kumar and Lieutenant Colonel Jas Ram Singh (retired).
The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy, while the Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice, other than in the face of the enemy.
The armed forces will display an array of home-grown weaponry and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles at the parade.
For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent will be part of the event.
The parade will be heralded by over 100 women artistes playing Indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram and Nagada for the first time instead of the traditional military bands.
A total of 16 tableaux from states and Union territories and nine from central ministries and departments will roll down the Kartavya Path during the parade.
The Republic Day parade is slated to be of around 90 minutes.
President Droupadi Murmu, her French counterpart arrive in traditional buggy
President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emanuel Macron arrived on the Kartavya Path here for 75th Republic Day celebrations in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years.
The presidents were escorted by the President's Bodyguard – "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak". The President's Bodyguard is the senior most regiment of the Indian Army.
This Republic Day is special for this elite Regiment as the "Angrakshak’ have completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773.
'Aavaahan' in R-Day parade takes centre stage
Kartavya Path resonated with a melodious ensemble as "Aavaahan" took centre stage, marking the first-ever musical journey at the forefront of the grand parade during the Republic Day celebrations here.
This extraordinary performance enveloped the atmosphere with the auspicious sounds of an exquisite symphony, featuring a variety of Indian musical instruments sourced from different parts of the country.
The distinguished band comprising 112 women artistes skilfully played a diverse array of folk and tribal percussion instruments, becoming a powerful symbol of women's strength and prowess.
Among the mesmerising sounds, 20 artistes showcased the rhythmic beats of Maharashtra's Dhol and Tasha, while 16 artistes brought the traditional Dappu of Telangana to life. The ensemble also included 16 artistes skilfully playing Dhak and Dhol from West Bengal, with an additional eight artistes blowing conch shells, further enhancing the auditory experience.
Adding to the grandeur, 10 artistes wielded Chenda, a traditional drum from Kerala, and 30 artistes showcased the energetic Dholu Kunitha of Karnataka.
The musical extravaganza reached its pinnacle with four artistes each handling Nadaswaram, Tutari, and Cymbals, creating a spectacular display of the unique shades of Indian culture on Kartavya Path.
Prime Minister Modi pays tributes at National War Memorial
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid floral tributes to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial here on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day.
He led the nation in paying solemn tributes by laying a wreath.
The iconic memorial in the India Gate complex was inaugurated by Modi in 2019.
It is dedicated to soldiers killed during the India-China War in 1962, India-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and in the Kargil Conflict in 1999, and also those in the UN peacekeeping missions.
Spread over an area of approximately 40 acres, the National War Memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely -- the 'Amar Chakra', 'Veerta Chakra', 'Tyag Chakra' and the 'Rakshak Chakra' with names of 25,942 soldiers inscribed in golden letters on granite tablets.
It also includes a central 15.5-m obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by the Indian Army, Air Force and the Navy in a covered gallery (Veerta Chakra).
