Republic Day Parade ends with air show; BSF women bikers win hearts

Marching contingents, strategic defence weaponry and colourful tableaux were on display as India celebrated its 69th Republic Day

1:01 PM

PM Modi paying homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day, in New Delhi

12:58 PM

12:49 PM

T 2594 - Watching Republic Day Parade in Delhi .. what a moment of pride .. tears welling up as the Army marches past .. memories of the early years in Delhi, when we would clamour for seats to watch the parade ! JAI HIND !!

12:34 PM

12:25 PM

12:02 PM

Salute to the Brave Son of India: Martyr Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala of the elite #GarudCommandos of IAF awarded #AshokaChakra for act of Gallantry.The brave soldier Killed five terrorists on 18Nov17 at Hajin. Long live the Courage of Cpl Nirala.#RepublicDay @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/6RfIzrMplh

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 26, 2018

12:01 PM

We don't want you to miss this! Get amazed again by the wonderful display of riding skills, by the all-woman Daredevils Team #SeemaBhawani of @BSF_India #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/Z80XOwMEhD

— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2018

11:59 AM

11:59 AM

Republic Day parade: The idea of 113 BSF women's motercycle stunt was the brainchild of BSF Director General KK Sharma who wanted to replace men daredevils with women bikers, Deputy Inspector General Pushpendra Rathore said. Me Rathore is in charge of the team that has been camping in Delhi since December.

11:52 AM

Rahul Gandhi attends R-Day Parade

 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi attended the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath here today, a day after the party complained that its leader was relegated to a seat in the fourth row.

 

Gandhi was seen sitting in the middle rows and chatting with senior Congressman and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad.

11:42 AM

Sangrai Mog Dance performed by the North East Zone Culture Centre in Dimapur at the 69th Republic Day parade

11:34 AM

Other stunts being displayed by the ‘Seema Bhawani’ include Fish Riding, Side Riding, Faulaad, Prachand Baalay Shaktiman, Four Harmony, Mobile PT, Bull Fighting, Peacock, Sapt Rishi, Brahma Yog Guldasta, Wind Mill Formation, Seema Prahari, Bharat Ke Mustaid Prahari, Sarhad Ke Nigheban and Flag March Pyramid.

11:33 AM

Lotus formation by BSF bikers

11:30 AM

113 women bikers in the BSF team at the 69th Republic Day parade. The members of this special women bikers' squad have been specially chosen by BSF trainers and are aged between 25-30 years. They have been drawn from various combat ranks of the force. 

11:28 AM

To mark 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership, students from Mount Abu Public School recalls it through their dance performance on the theme One Vision One Identity and One Community

11:15 AM

Did you miss this? A one-of-its-kind contingent #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/Zv66HfXy7d

— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2018

11:14 AM

The Assam tableau at Republic Day parade, tableau is based on traditional mask used in religious dances and drama in Satras (Vaishnava monasteries) and Namghars (Prayer halls)

11:11 AM

The Maharashtra tableau at Republic Day parade, tableau is based on Chhatrapati Shivaji's coronation

11:06 AM

11:02 AM

The Karnataka tableau at Republic Day parade, tableau depicts the state's wildlife

10:53 AM

10:52 AM

Next in line at Rajpath: Tableau of Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand, with its focus on rural tourism

10:49 AM

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10:46 AM

Snipers, hit teams, 60,000 personnel deployed for R-Day

 

The national capital has been put under a security blanket with thousands of security personnel, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters deployed in view of the Republic Day parade. Barricades were erected on all major roads leading to the parade venue with policemen checking vehicles and informing people about diversions.

 

Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters have been deployed to keep a watch on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort besides nearby localities. Snipers have been stationed atop high-rise buildings while scores of CCTV cameras keeping a tight vigil on people's movements on the parade route.

Elaborate air defence measures, including deployment of anti-aircraft guns, have been also put in place to secure the airspace.

10:46 AM

10:43 AM

10:41 AM

While states across India are celebrating Republic Day 2018, Mumbai police detain three persons on suspicion near parade venue at Shivaji Park. Further details are awaited.

10:39 AM

Republic Day parade: Weapon locating radar SWATHI. An indigenous radar which can simultaneously track upto seven targets.

10:36 AM

A short while ago, the National Anthem was played ahead of Republic Day parade

A short while ago: The National Anthem, at the #RepublicDay Parade pic.twitter.com/n2FdaUsXIM

— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2018