Page 3 - Republic Day

Respect differences, live in harmony: Mohan Bhagwat at R-Day celebrations

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said differences should be respected and cohesion is the key to living in harmony. He was speaking after unfurling the national flag at the Republic Day celebration at a college in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra's Thane district. Along with celebration, Republic Day is an occasion to "remember our responsibilities towards the nation," he said. Addressing the issue of diversity, Bhagwat said differences should be respected and that "cohesion is the key to living in harmony". "Clashes are happening outside Bharat due to diversity. We see diversity as a natural part of life. You can have your own specialities, but you must be good to each other. If you want to live, it should be a cohesive living. You cannot be happy if your family is unhappy. Similarly, a family cannot be happy if the town is facing trouble," he said. Bhagwat emphasised the importance of working with both knowledge and dedication. "Being enterprising is

India's first Republic Day celebrations were held at Irwin amphitheatre

Huge tri-colour-themed banners have been put up along the Kartavya Path while the theme for this year's tableaux that would roll down the boulevard where the annual Republic Day celebrations take place is 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas', focusing on 75 years of the enactment of the Constitution. However, the maiden celebrations marking the birth of the Republic of India were not held on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path), the historical avenue that has over time become synonymous with the ceremony. It was held in the 1930s-era Irwin Amphitheatre after the country got its first president. Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950. And 75 years later, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at this year's ceremonial parade which will also see the participation of a marching contingent and a band contingent from that country. Iconic public buildings, parks and railway stations dazzled with lights

We join them in recognising enduring significance: US wishes India on R-Day

US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in a statement, said the India-US relationship continues to reach new heights and will be the defining relationship of the 21st century

India, Indonesia sign MOUs on health, renew one on maritime security

A Cultural Exchange Program was also signed between the Union Ministry of Culture and Indonesia's Ministry of Culture

R-Day 2025: 93 armed forces personnel to receive Gallantry Awards today

President also approved 58 Mentioned-in-Despatches to the Armed Forces personnel, including four posthumous medals

Business tycoon Osamu Suzuki honoured with Padma Vibhushan posthumously

Late Japanese industrialist Osamu Suzuki, the former chief of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has been honoured with India's second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Suzuki, who took a risk and bet on India when no one else believed in having a viable automobile company in India, has been awarded the 'Padma Vibhushan' for the year 2025 "for exceptional and distinguished service" in the field of trade and industry. He died last year at the age of 94. In 1981, Suzuki took the risk of partnering with the then Indian government to form a joint venture Maruti Udyog Ltd, at a time when India was still a closed economy under license regime. He is widely regarded as the man who spurred the automotive industry in the country. Maruti Udyog Ltd later on became Maruti Suzuki India Ltd subsequent to the government completing its exit in 2007 with Suzuki Motor Corporation holding majority stake. Osamu Suzuki was Director and Honorary Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. A man who ..

Ex-CJI Khehar, Osamu Suzuki, R Ashwin in list of Padma awardees 2024

Former Chief Justice of India J S Khehar, late Suzuki chief Osamu Suzuki and folk singer late Sharda Sinha and former cricketer are among 139 eminent people given Padma awards on the eve of the 76th Republic Day on Saturday. The set of civilian awards announced includes seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri decorations. "Twenty-three of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of foreigners, NRI, PIO, OCI and 13 posthumous awardees," the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement. Former CJI Justice (retd) Jagdish Singh Khehar has been given the Padma Vibhushan, while Suzuki chief Osamu Suzuki, folk singer Sharda Sinha and M T Vasudevan Nair earned the honour posthumously. Dinamalar publisher Lakshmipathy Ramasubbaiyer has been awarded Padma Shri for literature, education and journalism. Former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi, economist Bibek Debroy, gazal singer Pankaj Udhas have been given Padma Bhushan .

In R-Day eve address to nation, Murmu bats for 'One Nation, One Election'

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday advocated for the "One Nation One Election" initiative, asserting it has the potential to redefine "good governance" in the country by promoting consistency in governance, preventing policy paralysis, mitigating resource diversion, and alleviating financial burdens on the state. In her address to the nation ahead of the 76th Republic Day, she emphasised the government's ongoing efforts to "eliminate remnants of a colonial mindset that have lingered in the country for decades" and cited the replacement of the British-era criminal laws with three new modern laws. "We have been witnessing concerted efforts to change that mindset... Reforms of such magnitude require an audacity of vision," she said. Highlighting the significance of the proposed bill aimed at synchronising election schedules across the country, Murmu noted, "The 'One Nation One Election' plan can offer numerous benefits, including enhanced governance and reduced financial strain." In

12 'Rat Miner' heroes among 49 awardees of 'Jeevan Raksha Padaks'

Rat miners who had who had rescued the construction workers trapped in Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023 are among 49 people approved by President Droupadi Murmu for Jeevan Raksha Padaks. The awards are given for meritorious act in saving the life of a person, on the occasion of 76th Republic Day, a government statement said. Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak has been awarded to 17 individuals including the team of 12 rat miners and five others posthumously. Pintu Kumar Sahni from Bihar, Manesh K M from Kerala, Dawa Tshering Lepcha and Pema Tenzing Lachungpa from Sikkim, and Gunner Anis Kumar Gupta of defence ministry have been named for the award posthumously, the government statement said. The 12-member team of rat miners -- Vaqeel Hassan, Munna Qureshi, Ankur Kumar, Monu Kumar, Devendra, Mohmmed Rashid, Firoz Qureshi, Jatin Kashyap, Saurabh Kashyap, Mohmmed Irshad, Nasruddin, and Naseem -- which worked for 26 hours without break to rescue the workers for 17 days ha

30 unsung heroes honoured with Padma Shri for diverse contributions

A 100-year old freedom fighter from Goa, a Dhak player from West Bengal who trained 150 women in the male-dominated field and India's first woman puppeteers are among 30 unsung heroes who were awarded Padma Shri, a government statement said on Saturday. Libia Lobo Sardesai, who played an important role in Goa's freedom movement, cofounded an underground radio station -- 'Voz da Liberdabe (Voice of Freedom)' -- in a forested area in 1955 to rally people against the Portuguese rule. She has been awarded the Padma Shri by the President on the occasion of 76th Republic Day. Also among the awardees is Gokul Chandra Dey, a 57-year old Dhak player from West Bengal who broke the gender stereotype by training 150 women in the male-dominated field. Dey also created a lightweight Dhak type, 1.5 kg less than the conventional instrument, and represented India at various international platforms and performed with Maestros like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Zakir Hussain. A vocal advocate of wom

76th Republic Day: CRPF awarded highest number of gallantry medals

The CRPF has been awarded the highest number of gallantry medals, 19, among all central and state police forces on the eve of the 76th Republic Day on Saturday. A total of 95 bravery medals have been awarded to the personnel of state and central police forces, fire service, home guard and civil defence and correctional services, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). A senior officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said that out of the 19 medals for gallantry (GM), 11 are for operations undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir, seven for acts of bravery in anti-Maoist operations and one for courage displayed during an operation in the northeast. The awardees include second-in-command rank officer Narender Yadav, and Assistant Commandants Amit Kumar and Vinay Kumar who have been conferred with the 1st bar to GM (gallantry medal awarded for the second time). Late Constable Sunil Kumar Pandey has been named for the medal posthumously. The 186th batta

Indonesia to be in lead of India's 76th Republic Day parade for first time

Indonesian President is accompanied by a high-powered delegation of six cabinet ministers, senior officials and a very large business delegation

31 CBI officers awarded police medals on occasion of 76th Republic Day

Officers who supervised probes into the Manipur riots, online trading scams, big-ticket corruption and the post-poll violence in West Bengal are among 31 officers awarded police medals on the occasion of 76th Republic Day. Six officers have been awarded the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service while 25 received the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in a statement. CBI Joint Director Ghanshyam Upadhyay was awarded the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service. He supervised the probes into the post-poll violence in West Bengal, Manipur riots, Commonwealth Games corruption, land for jobs scam against Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, 2024 NEET irregularities, important cases related to the Assam Ponzi scam, besides leading several complex special crime cases. Joint Director (North East Region) Datla Sreenivasa Varma, who is supervising the probe into the online trading scam of Assam, and now post-poll violence

Honoured to welcome Indonesia Prez Subianto as R-Day chief guest: PM Modi

India is honoured to welcome Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. In a post on X, Modi noted that Indonesia was the guest nation when India marked its first Republic Day, and Subianto would attend the celebrations with the country celebrating 75 years as a republic on Sunday. He said, "India is honoured to welcome President Prabowo Subianto." Modi added he and Subianto discussed various aspects of the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India and Indonesia on Saturday agreed to give a new momentum to overall bilateral ties and especially concurred on working jointly in the areas of defence manufacturing and supply chains, as the prime minister hosted Subianto for wide-ranging talks.

Noida traffic police issues advisory for Republic Day celebrations

Gautam Buddh Nagar Traffic Police has issued an advisory restricting the movement of goods vehicles, including heavy, medium and light vehicles, in view of Republic Day. The advisory will be in effect from 10 pm on January 25 until the conclusion of Republic Day program on January 26, officials said. The restrictions aim to prevent goods vehicles from entering Delhi for the safety purposes during the Republic Day celebrations on Sunday. According to the advisory, vehicles entering Delhi from Chilla Red Light border will take a U-turn there and head towards their destinations via the Noida, Greater Noida Expressway to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. The vehicles coming to Delhi from the DND border will be able take a U-turn from the toll plaza there and move towards the Noida, Greater Noida Expressway and further to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway to reach their destinations. The vehicles moving to Delhi from the Kalindi Kunj Yamuna border will be diverted from the underpass .

7 J&K cops who foiled Amarnath attack among gallantry medal recipients

Seven of the 15 Jammu and Kashmir Police officers, including former Kashmir Zone inspector general of police Vijay Kumar, awarded gallantry medals on the eve of Republic Day, played a key role in averting a possible terror attack on the Amarnath Yatra three years ago, officials said. The Medal for Gallantry recipients also included Humayun Bhat, a deputy superintendent of police who was one of four officers to lay down their lives during an encounter with terrorists in south Kashmir's Kokernag in September 2023. Bhat had been honoured with the Kirti Chakra for extraordinary bravery on the eve of last year's Independence Day. In addition to the 15 gallantry medals, Anand Jain and Nitish Kumar -- two additional directors general of police-rank officers -- received the President's Medal for Distinguished Service while 10 other officers were awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service. During his tenure in Kashmir as inspector general of police, Kumar generated an input that a group of .

R-Day parade: India to showcase military prowess, rich cultural heritage

India is set to showcase its military prowess and rich cultural heritage and display a symbolic confluence of 'virasat' and 'vikas' on Kartavya Path here to mark the 76th Republic Day on January 26 when the nation will also commemorate the platinum jubilee of the enactment of the Constitution. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest on the occasion and the ceremonial parade will also see participation of a marching contingent and a band contingent from Indonesia. He will be the fourth Indonesian president to attend India's Republic Day celebrations. Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950. While 75 years of the Constitution is the focus of celebrations this year, the theme for the tableaux is 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas'. Sixteen tableaux from across states and Union Territories and 15 from central ministries, departments and organisations will roll down the ceremonial boulevard o

Explosives recovered in Assam amid preparations for R-Day celebrations

A cache of explosives buried in a jungle was recovered in Assam's Sonitpur district on Saturday, even as security was tightened across the state for 76th Republic Day celebrations, police said. The explosives, including 36 grenades and three detonators, were found wrapped in a polythene bag during a search operation, they said. On 25/1/2025, based on a reliable information regarding the secret storage of illegal arms and ammunitions buried underground in the jungle area near Khwbra village, Batashipur under Dhekiajuli Police Station, a search operation was conducted, the Sonitpur Police said in a post on X. One of the grenades had damaged pin/lever. So it has been kept in a secured area under guard, it police said, adding, the bomb disposal squad of the army is being contacted to dispose the explosives. Meanwhile, security arrangements have been heightened throughout Assam to ensure peaceful and smooth Republic Day celebrations, police said. Regular search of vehicles and patrolli

Indonesian President Subianto receives ceremonial welcome in New Delhi

Prabowo Subianto also met with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Delhi govt committed to fulfilling freedom fighters' dreams: CM Atishi

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi extended her heartfelt greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of the 76th Republic Day, reminding them of the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and her government's dedication to realising their vision for the country. Speaking at a Republic Day event at the Chhatrasal Stadium here, Atishi urged people to remember the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence. "Freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai and Chandrashekhar Azad thought not of themselves but of the country. Their sacrifices give me goosebumps," she said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader highlighted India's transformative journey and the role of the Constitution, drafted under the leadership of B R Ambedkar, in ensuring equal rights for all citizens. "It is our responsibility to fulfil the dreams of our freedom fighters and Baba Saheb. Our Constitution envisions equal opportunities and the Delhi government is working tirelessl