GUWAHATI, Jan 26: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday unfurled the national flag on the occasion of the nation’s 75th Republic Day at Kartavya Path in New Delhi with Emmanuel Macron, her French counterpart, attending the celebrations as the chief guest at this year’s event.
The solemn moment was accompanied by the rendition of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute.
The Gun Salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment (SHINGO), formerly HQ 36 Artillery Brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar, SM, commands the Ceremonial Battery, and Subedar (AIG) Anoop Singh serves as the Gun Position Officer. The 21 Gun Salute was executed using 105 mm Indian Field Guns, the indigenous gun system on Kartavya Path, according to news agency ANI.
All terrain vehicles used by security forces were also displayed at Kartavya Path on the occasion of Republic Day.
More than 1,500 dancers performed at the event as part of a cultural presentation organized jointly by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Culture.
The tableaus of 16 States and Union Territories displayed their cultural heritage and diversity.
Another highlight of this year’s Republic Day celebrations was the march-past of the first-ever all-women tri service contingent at Kartavya Path.
This year’s flypast comprised 54 aircraft and helicopters, including three aircrafts from the French Air & Space Force, 46 from the Indian Air Force, one from the Indian Navy and four helicopters from the Indian Army. Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the martyrs at the National War Memorial. (With Agency inputs)
