Page 12 - Republic Day

Here is the list of Republic Day chief guests since Modi became PM

Republic Day celebrations: If Emmanuel Macron accepts the invitation, this will be the sixth time that a French President will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations

French President Emmanuel Macron set to be Republic Day chief guest

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, people familiar with the development said on Friday. India had invited US President Joe Biden to grace the occasion but he expressed inability to travel to New Delhi in January. French President Macron has been invited as the Republic Day chief guest, the people cited above said.

Biden unlikely to visit India on Republic Day, Quad summit in late 2024

US President Joe Biden is not expected to visit India next month to grace the Republic Day celebrations as Chief Guest, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. In September, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited President Biden to be the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 next year. However, there was no comment on the invitation by India. Separately, sources said the Quad summit is proposed to be held in India in the later part of 2024. "We are looking for revised dates as the dates currently under consideration do not work with all the Quad partners," said a source.

Duty on American apples relaxed as PM wanted Biden as R-Day guest: Omar

The import duty on American apples and walnuts was relaxed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted US President Joe Biden to be the chief guest at the 2024 Republic Day parade, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said on Thursday. "It is now known what compelled the central government to remove the tax on American apples and walnuts. The prime minister (Narendra Modi) wanted to invite the American President (Biden) as a special guest for the January 26 ceremony," he said. "They made sure that apples, walnuts and dry fruits will come from America while our own apples, walnuts and dry fruits will rot in the markets, said the NC leader while addressing a one-day party workers' convention at Handwara in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. Ahead of the G20 Summit, the Centre announced the removal of additional duties on about half a dozen US products, including apples, walnuts, almonds and lentils. These duties were imposed in 2019 in a retaliatory move after America hiked ...

Joe Biden invited to 75th Republic Day celebrations: US Ambassador

If Biden accepts, this would mark the second time a US President has attended India's Republic Day parade

PM Modi invites US Prez to India's 2024 Republic Day celebrations: Garcetti

Garcetti said the invitation was extended to Biden by PM Modi on the sidelines of the bilateral that took place between the two leaders at the recently concluded G20 Summit

India may invite Quad leaders as Republic Day guests next year: Report

A final call will be taken only after ascertaining the availability of the leaders

FM Nirmala Sitharaman on two-day visit to Assam, Tripura from Friday

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on a two-day visit to Assam and Tripura from Friday, an official release said. She will participate in an investiture ceremony for conferring Presidential Awards for Specially Distinguished Record of Service to officers and staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in Guwahati. The Presidential Award of Appreciation Certificate, which was announced on this year's Republic Day, will be awarded to 29 officers and staff of CBIC. They were selected on the basis of their exemplary performance in their respective field of service over the years. The awardees selected this year include officers from all cadres of the service, who have consistently performed with distinction in their various assignments, including prevention of smuggling, detection of tax evasion, detection of trade-based money laundering and foreign exchange violations, besides contributions in tax policy formulation, revenue mobilisation, automat

Women Naval officers shining in various roles and missions served by them

Indian Navy's Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Disha Amrith, who led the naval contingent of 144 sailors at this year's Republic Day parade in New Delhi, on Monday said women are unique in themselves and they shine in whatever responsibility they are entrusted with. She said many young women were inspired by her leadership role at the annual parade and wanted to emulate her. Lt Cdr Amrith, who is an observer with the Navy's Dornier 228 marine patrol aircraft, narrated her experience of leading the contingent at Kartavya Path (the stretch of road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate which was earlier known as Rajpath) during a panel discussion on Women's leadership in the uniformed services here. The panel discussion was held as part of side events ahead of the third meeting of the G20 Development Working Group, which will begin in Goa on Tuesday. India currently holds the presidency of G20 or Group of 20, an influential bloc that comprises 19 countries and the European Union. I led

Next R-Day parade could see all-women contingents on Kartavya Path

Next year's Republic Day Parade here could see all-women marching and band contingents with authorities working on such a proposal for the ceremonial event to be held at Kartavya Path, defence sources said. The defence ministry, in March, had circulated an office memorandum to the three services and various ministries and departments on the planning for the 2024 parade, they said. The memorandum mentioned such a proposal being considered and added that a "de-briefing meeting" was held under the chairmanship of the defence secretary in early February, the sources said. After deliberations, it has been decided that the Republic Day Parade 2024 will have only women participants in the contingents (marching and band), tableaux and other performances during the parade at the Kartavya Path, says the memorandum. A few all-women contingents, and women officers, including those leading military contingents comprising men, have taken part in the annual parade on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) i

Only women contingents to be part of 2024 R-Day parade: Defence Ministry

In an effort to encourage female participation in various sectors, the govt decided that Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path will see participation only by women in march pasts

Republic Day 2024: Only females to be part of marching contingents, bands

The Defence Ministry has apprised other ministries including Home Affairs, Culture and Urban Development about the decision to hold the all women parade in the coming year

Rs 28,36,980 revenue generated from sale of tickets for R-Day parade

Revenue generated from the sale of tickets for the Republic Day parade and Beating Retreat ceremony in 2023 stood at Rs 28,36,980, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said in Lok Sabha

Each artist on R-Day parade's UK tableau to be awarded Rs 50,000: CM Dhami

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced a reward money of Rs 50,000 each to the artists of Uttarakhand tableau which was awarded the top prize at this year's Republic Day parade

R-Day: Punjab Regiment best marching contingent; Uttarakhand's tableau best

Punjab Regiment was adjudged as the best marching contingent, and Uttarakhand bagged the top prize for best tableau

Rains fail to dampen spirit of Beating Retreat, R-Day celebrations conclude

Rains failed to dampen the spirit of Beating Retreat ceremony held at the historic Vijay Chowk here on Sunday as Indian classical tunes played by bands of the armed forces filled the air, marking the end of Republic Day celebrations. Foot-tapping music marked the beginning of the ceremony with the arrival of President Droupadi Murmu. She was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Prime Minister Modi got drenched as he moved around outside the sheltered area, waving at the audience after the ceremony was over. For the first time, a 3-D anamorphic projection was done on the facade of North Block and South Block. As many as 29 Indian tunes were played by the music bands of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the State Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Never missing a step despite the wet ground, the bands began playing the "Agniveer" tune followed by the enthralling tunes like "Almora", "Kedar Nath", "Sangam Dur", "Queen of Satpur

UK hails 'another year of cooperation' with Republic Day wishes to India

The United Kingdom on Thursday expressed its greetings for India's 74th Republic Day with a personal message from the country's foreign minister James Cleverly to his Indian counterpart, Dr S. Jaishankar. UK Foreign Secretary Cleverly took to Twitter to wish his friend and the people of India on the celebration of the day India adopted its Constitution to become a Republic. Happy Republic Day to my friend Dr Jaishankar and the people of India. We look forward to another year of friendship and cooperation! #RepublicDay2023, tweeted Cleverly. The Indian High Commission in London held its customary flag-hoisting ceremony at India House on Thursday morning. The Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, addressed the diaspora gathering to convey the speech of Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The Indian Constitution is a pretty remarkable document in itself. But also because it created at its get-go an equality of expectation among every citizen of India, regardless of race,

Punjab will soon shine like Kohinoor, accuses previous system: CM Mann

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that with continued progress Punjab will shine like the 'Kohinoor' diamond, even as he accused the previous dispensations of failing to tackle corruption and poverty in the state. Addressing a gathering after hoisting the national flag at a Republic day function here at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports stadium, Mann said that even after 75 years of the Independence, the dreams of our freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh and Dr BR Ambedkar remain unfulfilled. People had high hopes from successive governments, but they were dashed because of corruption, poverty, unemployment and many other ills that are still deeply embedded in the state, he said. The AAP government has come like a breath of fresh air in Punjab as it is committed to fulfil the aspirations of people of the state, the CM said. He said he would prefer dying than ever favouring his family or relatives in public works. "I do not sign any scheme which is against the interests of .

BSF, Pak Rangers exchange sweets along I-B in Jammu on Republic Day

The BSF and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets and greetings at various outposts along the International Border in Jammu on the occasion of India's 74th Republic Day on Thursday, officials said. The Border Security Force offered sweets to Pakistan Rangers and they reciprocated, the officials said. The exchange of sweets took place at border outposts in Akhnoor, Samba, Kathua, Arnia and R S Pura in a cordial manner, a Border Security Force official said. Indian Army troops also exchanged sweets and greetings with their Pakistani counterparts at forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts, according to the officials. Republic Day was celebrated at the frontier headquarters here. BSF Inspector General D K Boora unfurled the tricolour on the occasion and conveyed his warm wishes to all 'Seema Praharis' serving at the International Border and the LoC and their families. He also recalled the supreme sacrifices of BSF troops. The IG said the BSF has alwa

Chief Ministers of various states extend greetings on 74th Republic Day

Chief Ministers of various states participated in grand celebrations and unfurled the national flag on the occasion of 74th Republic Day on Thursday