Nation celebrates 72nd Republic Day

New Delhi, January 26

As India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the national flag and received the customary 21-gun salute at Rajpath.

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The 21-gun salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 223 Field Regiment that was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jitender Singh Mehta.

Kovind, escorted by 46 President’s Bodyguards raised in 1773 - on magnificent Bay and Dark Bay-coloured mounts, was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wore a traditional ‘kurta-pajama’ and sported a special turban from Jamnagar in Gujarat.

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Earlier, Modi paid tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial at the India Gate.

After unfurling the national flag, the first formation comprising four Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the 155 Helicopter Unit flew and showered flowers at the Rajpath and guests. The helicopters flew in a wineglass formation.

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Thereafter, India’s military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress was on display at the majestic Rajpath.

The President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries attended the parade at Rajpath. The Republic Day parade showcases India’s defence capabilities, different cultures and traditions.

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Checking and frisking at Rajghat would be done by personnel in PPE kits, with mask and face shield, keeping in line with Covid protocols, the official said.

A five-layer security cover had been deployed in and around the city to maintain law and order, a senior police officer said.

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Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Eish Singhal said more than 6,000 police personnel had been deployed at Rajpath for the Republic Day celebrations.

Following Covid protocols, only 25,000 people would be allowed to attend the ceremony at Rajpath as opposed to over one lakh spectators who usually attended the event every year, he said.

The parade would be shorter this year. Instead of marching up to the Red Fort, the parade would end at the National Stadium. Only tableaux would be allowed at the Red Fort, he said.

"We have 140 CCTV cameras on the Republic Day parade route and along the enclosures. We have identified and set up facial recognition systems at 30 spots on Rajpath from where the public would enter.

"This system is fed with a database of nearly over 50,000 people, including that of suspected terrorists, criminals and anti-social elements," said another senior police officer.

According to an advisory, no traffic will be allowed on Vijay Chowk from 6 pm on Monday till the parade is over. Rajpath is already out of bounds. There will be no cross-traffic on Rajpath intersections from 11 pm on Monday at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road till the parade is over.

This year, there was no Chief Guest due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited as the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations but could not come due to the pandemic.

In his video message, Johnson said he would visit in the coming months and wished India on the occasion citing it as the biggest sovereign democracy in the world.

“I was hugely looking forward to joining you for this important occasion at the kind invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi, alas our common struggle against Covid has kept me in London,” said Johnson.

India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, honouring the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect. IANS/PTI