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

Marching contingents, strategic defence weaponry and colourful tableaux were on display as India celebrated its 69th Republic Day with a grand parade watched by thousands of people along with ten ASEAN leaders who attended the event as chief guests, in a historic first.

Signifying India's fast growing strategic ties with ASEAN, leaders of all the 10 countries of the powerful bloc attended the parade at the majestic Rajpath which showcased the country's military might and cultural diversity.

Cold weather conditions and dense fog failed to dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of spectators who witnessed the nearly one-and-half-hour-long parade that marched down the eight-kilometre stretch from the Rajpath to the Red Fort amid an unprecedented security cover.

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The ASEAN leaders, here to attend the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, joined President Ram Nath Kovind and Modi at the Republic Day parade, making it an unprecedented event.

The parade was commanded by Lt General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area. The supreme commander of the Indian armed forces president Kovind took the salute at the parade.

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Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, Singaporean Premier Lee Hsien Loong and Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah were among the ASEAN leaders who attended the event.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Cambodian Premier Hun Sen also watched the grand parade.

They were seen sharing light moments with each other and capturing memories in their cameras.

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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

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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

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Topics : Republic Day

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First Published: Jan 26 2018 | 12:41 PM IST