Republic Day LIVE: Military might, cultural diversity on display at parade

India's 72nd Republic Day celebrations began with PM Modi paying homage to war heroes at National War Memorial. Catch LIVE updates on the Republic Day of India 2021 parade and celebrations.

Republic Day 2021 Parade: PM Modi pays tribute at National War Memorial

Republic Day parade LIVE updates: India marked the 72nd Republic Day by showing its cultural, economic and military might. The ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial. As per tradition, the national flag was unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.

As many as 32 tableaus -- 17 from states and union territories, six from the Defence ministry and nine from other Union ministries and paramilitary forces -- depicted the nation's rich cultural heritage, economic progress and defence prowess at the parade. Rafale fighter jets took part in the flypast for the the first time and the armed forces displayed T-90 tanks. A 122-member proud contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces also marched on Rajpath.

The ceremony culminated with the national anthem and the release of Tri-colour balloons.

Catch LIVE updates on Republic Day 2021 celebrations

4:31 PM

Patriotic fervour marks Republic Day celebrations in Telangana

Patriotic fervour marked 72nd Republic Day celebrations in Telangana on Tuesday.

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan led the state in the celebrations held in the shadow of Covid-19 pandemic.

She unfurled the national flag at the main official celebration held in the historic Public Gardens, adjacent to State Assembly in the heart of the city.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, his cabinet colleagues, senior defence, police and civil officials attended the main event.

2:45 PM

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra celebrates 15 years of 'Rang De Basanti' on Republic Day

As his patriotic masterpiece 'Rang De Basanti' clocked in 15 years on Tuesday, ace filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra penned a heartfelt note dedicated to the film, saying "it is a humbling experience to see your work remain relevant."

Mehra dedicated several Instagram posts to the 15th anniversary of the Aamir Khan starrer on the occasion of the 72nd Republic Day. In one of the posts, he shared two pictures of the entire cast of the film including Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth, R Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi, among others.

"RDB has grown more than a film. Even when it was released, it had a huge impact, not just to cinema-goers but to the collective consciousness of the nation," Mehra wrote in the caption of the post.

2:02 PM

Indians abroad celebrate Republic Day amidst Covid-19 pandemic

The Indian diaspora in China and Singapore on Tuesday celebrated the 72nd Republic Day in a restricted manner, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, reported PTI on Tuesday.

In Beijing, Ambassador Vikram Misri unfurled the national flag at the Indian embassy where the celebrations were restricted to officials of the mission and their families in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the Chinese capital and surrounding areas. Misri read out President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. He also released a special instrumental rendition of 'Vande Mataram' produced by Chaiti Arts Foundation.

Beijing and several cities are currently experiencing a relapse of coronavirus cases as result local governments have imposed measures to restrict public gatherings.

1:30 PM

Kejriwal greets people on Republic Day

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal greeted people on the 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, saluting the "commitment and struggles of farmers, corona warriors and soldiers of the country".

In a video message, Kejriwal said that glimpses of the great Republic of India and the strength of its unity was witnessed on various occasions in the last one year.

"We saw doctors and nurses serving people putting their own lives at risk, we saw sanitation workers maintaining cleanliness, brave soldiers safeguarding the country and we saw the commitment and struggle of our annadatas serving the people of this great Republic amid the biggest pandemic in the history of human race."

यही है नदियाँ, यही हिमालय, यही देश की शान है। तीन रंगों में रंगा हुआ ये अपना हिंदुस्तान है।

1:28 PM

Republic is from you, it belongs to you: Rahul wishes people on R-Day

11:50 AM

Republic Day parade culminates with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr

Republic Day parade culminates with a single Rafale aircraft flying at a speed of 900km/hr carrying out a ‘Vertical Charlie’. The aircraft is piloted by Gp Capt Harkirat Singh, Shaurya Chakra, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron with Sqn Ldr Kislaykant.

11:48 AM

Republic Day 2021 Parade LIVE: The ‘Trinetra’ formation comprising three Su-30MKIs

The ‘Trinetra’ formation comprising three Su-30MKIs - the three aircraft split outwards and upwards, forming a ‘Trishul in the Sky’. The formation is led by Gp Capt AK Misra. Commanding Officer of 15 Squadron with Sqn Ldr RC Kulkarni.

11:46 AM

Rafale with 2 Jaguar Deep & 2 MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighters in 'Eklavya’ formation

11:44 AM

'Rudra’ formation comprising a Dakota aircraft flanked by 2 Mi-17 IV helicopters at Republic Day Parade

11:42 AM

'Covid' tableau depicts the process of Covid-19 Vaccine development through various processes

11:38 AM

Tableau of Uttar Pradesh displays Ram Mandir

Designed after the theme 'Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh', the tableau of Uttar Pradesh also displays Ram Mandir.

The forepart of the middle tableau shows Deepotsava of Ayodhya, in which millions of earthen lamps are lit.

11:31 AM

Republic Day: A replica of the Sun Temple at Modhera displayed on the Gujarat tableau

The tableau depicts the Sabhamandap, part of the Sun Temple. It’s 52 pillars denote 52 weeks of a Solar year.

11:18 AM

The display of cultural tableaux begins at Republic Day parade

The display of cultural tableaux begins at Republic Day parade, with Ladakh leading. It's the first-ever tableau of the UT. It shows Ladakh's culture & communal harmony besides art & architecture, languages & dialects, customs & costumes, fairs & festivals, literature, music.