Page 6 - Republic Day

Comfort of India-France friendship will illuminate path forward: President

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the comfort of the India-France friendship and the strength of "our partnership will illuminate the path forward". Murmu received Emmanuel Macron, the President of the French Republic at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here and hosted a banquet in his honour. Welcoming President Macron, she said the leaders of the two countries being guests of honour in each other's successive National Day parade and celebrations, is a historic moment, and "a symbol of the depth of our friendship and the strength of our partnership". Macron was the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations on Friday at Delhi's Kartavya Path. Murmu expressed satisfaction that both sides have outlined an ambitious vision of "our partnership for India's Amrit Kaal and added that this visit has strengthened our resolve to realise this vision". "The president was confident that the comfort of the India-France friendship and the strength of our partnership will illuminate the path

Resetting the Republic

Legatees of political forces Indira Gandhi locked up during Emergency are now redefining some of India's foundational principles. They can be challenged, just as she was in the 1970s

Yoga guru to Sanskrit scholar: Prestigious Padma awards' French bond

These French nationals include 100-year-old yoga exponent Charlotte Chopin and Kiran Vyas, the 79-year-old veteran yoga and Ayurveda practitioner

LIVE: Pneumonia outbreak kills over 200 children in Pakistan, says report

LIVE news updates today: Catch all the latest updates from around the world here

Republic Day parade 2024: Main attractions of platinum celebrations

The 75th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path on Friday showcased India's rich cultural diversity, military prowess, and 'Nari Shakti'. The parade began at 10.30 am with the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and French President Emmanuel Macron gracing the occasion as the chief guest. Here are some of the main attractions of the grand celebrations themed 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat-Loktantra ki Matruka': * Aavaahan: After the tricolour was unfurled followed by the national anthem, a band of 112 women artists skilfully played folk and tribal percussion instruments sourced from different corners of the country in a historic first. The enchanting performance symbolised the strength and prowess of women. * French Contingent: A 95-member marching contingent and a 30-member band contingent from France took part in the parade while two Rafale fighters and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French Space and Air Force roared ...

Nari Shakti and military prowess take centre stage at Republic Day parade

The parade had themes of 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) and 'Bharat - Loktantra Ki Matruka' (India - the mother of democracy)

Putin commends privileged strategic ties between Russia and India on R-Day

Extending his greetings on India's 75th Republic Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said India enjoys a "deserved influence in the international arena" and is playing "an active role" in solving the most important issues on the international agenda. Putin also commended the privileged strategic partnership with India as he congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 75th Republic Day, the state-run TASS news agency reported. We value the privileged strategic partnership between our countries. I am confident that, through joint efforts, we will continue to systematically boost the constructive cooperation between Russia and India across the board, the Russian leader said in a telegram message. This fully meets the interests of our friendly peoples as it in line with strengthening security and stability both regionally and globally, he added. According to Putin, India has achieved impressive success in the socio-economic sphere, as well as in the fields of research

Panchayats should develop sources of revenue: Union minister Giriraj Singh

Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh on Friday said panchayats should not depend on MGNREGA funds and have their own sources of revenue. Addressing representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions who came to Delhi to attend the Republic Day parade, the Union minister also emphasised the role of panchayats in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Panchayats should become self-reliant and develop revenue models, Singh said. "Panchayats should not depend on NREGA funds. If a petrol pump opens on panchayat land, the state collects VAT. Can the panchayat not get a share out of it? If a factory is built on a panchayat's land, it should earn tax from it," he said, suggesting revenue models. He underlined that panchayats can play a huge role in achieving the SDGs and said that they should look at 'Jan Bhagidari' (people's participation) for meeting these targets. "When we talk of a 'shiksha yukt panchayat', I am told that there is a shortage of teachers... There should be .

World leaders congratulate India on R-Day, laud progress in bilateral ties

Presidents, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of several countries on Friday wished India on its 75th Republic Day and expressed their hope for progress in bilateral relations and close people-to-people ties. These leaders included those from the immediate neighbourhood in South Asia and some from far-flung nations such as Australia. Almost all of them posted their greetings on social media handles and some of them wrote letters or messages to Indian leaders. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his warm wishes to the people of India on the same day as his country celebrates its national day and said, We have an opportunity to celebrate the depth of our friendship. Australia and India have never been closer. In a message to President Droupadi Murmu, the British King Charles III said he cherishes the close bond shared between the two countries. I am confident that our ties will continue to flourish in this very special seventy-fifth anniversary year of the ...

'Padma awards for 4 people from France shows strength of ties with India'

Noting that four people from France, the highest for any foreign country, have received the Padma awards this year, official sources said this underscores the strength of India-France relations. The Padma awards were announced on Thursday, the day French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade. Those from France who received the honour include 100-year-old yoga exponent Charlotte Chopin and Kiran Vyas (79), a global yoga and Ayurveda practitioner. The other two are Pierre Sylvain Filliozat (87), a Sanskrit scholar dedicated to advancing Indian culture studies and Fred Negrit, an Indologist fostering great awareness and appreciation of Indian culture, according to government citations. All four of them have been bestowed with the Padma Shri.

75th Republic Day: King Charles says he looks forward to working with India

King Charles III on Friday congratulated the people of India on its 75th Republic Day and said he looks forward to the UK and India working together to tackle the world's most pressing challenges. In a message to President Droupadi Murmu, the British monarch said he cherishes the close bond shared between the two countries and added: I am confident that our ties will continue to flourish in this very special seventy-fifth anniversary year of the Commonwealth a fitting reminder of the enduring values and aspirations that unite us. Incidentally, King Charles III is the same age as the Indian Republic. It was on January 26, 1950, that the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935, a legacy of the British Raj from the colonial times. Congratulating India on a successful G20 presidency last year, King Charles III said, I look forward to our countries continuing to work together to tackle the world's most pressing global challenges. He also said he

Ram temple, G-20, Bharat Ratna: Top quotes of Prez Murmu's R-Day address

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday praised the recent inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya during her Republic Day Eve address to the nation

R-Day parade: 1500 dancers performed folk dances at Kartavya Path

A group consisting of 1500 dancers delivered a powerful message of unity in diversity through their mesmerizing acts

Republic Day 2024: J-K govt announces awards for 36 individuals of UT

Thirty-six people, including para archer and Arjuna Awardee Sheetal Devi, were selected for government awards in Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Republic Day. Late Head Constable Abdul Majeed has been awarded posthumously in the category of award for achievements in the field of bravery that carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation to the awardee, according to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) Commissioner-Secretary Sanjeev Verma. The government also conferred the award to Dogri writers Mohan Singh, Inderjeet Kesar, Gojri writer Mansha Khaki and broadcaster and writer Brij Nath Pandit Betab in the category of achievements in the field of literature. For their contribution to performing arts, film and television, actor Gulzar Ganaie, Pahari artist Kartar Chand, theatre artist Pawan Verma, actor and director Kuldeep Raina and vocalist and music composer Munir Ahmad Mir have been awarded. Similarly, Basohli Pashmina artist Neelam Rani, Basohli ...

Republic Day parade tableaux feature Ram Lalla, 500-yr-old 'Mother Market'

President Droupadi Murmu, leading the ceremonial parade celebrations, drew a crowd of 77,000 guests. French President Emmanuel Macron graced the event as the chief guest

India displays military might, women power, diversity on Republic Day

India celebrated its 75th Republic Day on Friday with a grand display of its women power, rich cultural heritage and military might comprising missiles, warplanes, surveillance gadgets and lethal weapon systems with French President Emmanuel Macron gracing the occasion as the chief guest. The Republic Day Parade at the Kartavya Path in the heart of the national capital commenced with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute shortly after she and Macron, flanked by the Indian president's bodyguards, arrived in a 'traditional buggy'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several other Union ministers, the country's top military brass, foreign diplomats and senior officials were among those who witnessed the impressive show that also included a gravity-defying fly-past by helicopters and planes, with even a dense fog failing to dampen the spirits of the spectators. Soon after Murmu and Macron left from Kartavya Path in a traditional buggy, which made a comebac

On 75th Republic Day, PM Modi wears multi-coloured 'bandhani' turban

Continuing his tradition of wearing flamboyant and colourful turbans, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose a multi-coloured 'bandhani' print safa for his Republic Day look on Friday. Bandhani is a type of tie-dye textile popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The fabric is decorated by plucking the cloth with fingernails into many tiny bindings that form a figurative design. He wore a white kurta-pyjama with a brown V-neck jacket. The turban with a long trail had shades of yellow, saffron, pink and red. Rajasthani turbans have been a popular choice of the prime minister for his Independence Day and Republic Day looks. Last year too, Modi wore a multi-coloured Rajasthani turban and complemented it with pants and kurta. Later that year, on the 77th Independence Day, he opted for a vibrant Rajasthani-style turban, with multiple colours and a lengthy tail. In 2019, Modi sported a multi-coloured turban as he gave his sixth Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort after return

PM Modi walks down Kartavya Path after conclusion of 75th R-Day parade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked down the Kartavya Path on Friday after the conclusion of the 75th Republic Day parade and waved at people seated in enclosures. The attendees erupted into cheer when the PM passed by their enclosures and welcomed him with claps and slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai". PM Modi also crossed over to other side of the Kartavya Path where he was greeted by excited audience as they clicked pictures. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu and French President Emmanuel Macron left from Kartavya Path in a traditional buggy, which made a comeback after 40 years.

Vande Bharatam-Nari Shakti: R-Day parade exhibits women's empowerment

In a spectacular display of cultural richness and "Nari Shakti", the third edition of the "Vande Bharatam" in the Republic Day parade of Friday showcased the theme "Cultural expression of women power - accomplishment through resolve". A group of 1,500 dancers under the banner of "Vande Bharatam-Nari Shakti" graced the parade with a message of unity in diversity. The performance showcased 30 distinctive folk dance styles, including Kuchipudi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Satriya, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Manipuri, contemporary classical dance, and Bollywood styles. Adding a touch of tradition and diversity, 120 dancers adorned masks representing various tribal and folk performing arts, while another 120 dancers performed with traditional umbrellas and artistic objects from Gujarat, Manipur, Kerala and Maharashtra. In the talented ensemble were 199 were tribal dance artistes, 486 represented folk dance, 399 were skilled in classical dances and 56 showcased the vibrancy of Bollywood. Notably, 5

Republic Day parade: Delhi Police all-women band contingent charts history

Comprising four Women Sub Inspectors and 81 Women Constables, the Delhi Police Brass and Pipe Band showcased their talent by playing the 'Delhi Police Song'