73rd Republic Day celebrations LIVE | J&K unfurls tallest tricolour, BSF exchanges sweets

Hours after the Tricolour was unfurled atop the historic Clock tower in Srinagar's Lal Chowk, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah questioned why it did not remain there for even a day. He also alleged that the unfurling was just for a 'photos op'.

As the country celebrated 73rd Republic Day on January 26, locals and children unfurled a 30-meter Tricolour in Gupkar Road of J&K's Srinagar. The children paraded with the Indian flag depicting a sign of normalcy in the Union Territory amid the heightened threat of terrorism.

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The partnership between India and the United States is rooted in their shared responsibility to uphold democratic values, the White House said on Tuesday as it greeted the people of India on the occasion of the country's 73rd Republic Day.

"We join India, the world's largest democracy, in honouring Republic Day, the day that marks the adoption of India's Constitution," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.

"As President (Joe) Biden said when India's Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi visited the White House last September, the relationship between India and the United States is destined to be stronger, closer and tighter, and it can benefit the whole world," she said.

"Our partnership is rooted in our shared responsibility to uphold democratic values," Psaki said in response to a question.

In a tweet, the US State Department's South and Central Asia Bureau said: "Happy 73rd Republic Day India! As millions of Indians celebrate their vibrant Constitution today, we are reminded of our nations' shared democratic values and the strength of the US-India strategic partnership."

Congressman Eric Swalwell congratulated India and Indian Americans on the occasion of India's 73rd Republic Day.

"India and the United States make up the world's oldest and the world's biggest democracies. And our shared partnership, a belief in democracy, the rule of law, humanity, charity and making sure that human rights are carried out not just in our own countries but across the globe is what makes our partnership so special," he said.

Indian Americans across the country have made special preparations for celebrating India's Republic Day. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Indian embassy here is scheduled to celebrate the occasion virtually with Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu unfurling the national flag in the presence of a small group of people.

Under the title “Jal Jeevan Mission: Changing Lives” the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s tableau for the 73rd Republic Day is all set to showcase how at an altitude of more than 13,000 ft in harsh winter, the Mission is bringing ease and improving the quality of life of people of Ladakh by providing clean tap water to their homes. It is important to mention that in winters the maximum temperature during the day remains sub-zero and the night temperature falls to -20 degree Celsius in the region which highlights the importance of the mission. 

According to the ministry, during winters villages are scattered and rainfall is scarce

"Villages remain cut off from the rest of country for few months in a year due to closure of passes during winters. This affects the supply of materials badly. Further, most of the water sources are in inaccessible areas, in many areas of Ladakh the water bodies freeze in winters, a lot of labour is required for construction and the help of animals & helicopters is taken to lift and transport the material," added Ministry of Jal Shakti press release. 
 

Mobile internet services suspended across Kashmir valley

The Indian Air Force's presentation will see the flypast of 75 aircraft, which would include MiG29, Chinook and C130 - in a display of strength. In addition to this, 25 tableaux from different states and those from the armed forces will also be displayed during the parade. Interestingly, the tableaux also include two from the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that will showcase India's technological advancement in the defense sector. There will also be a how by 1,000 indigenously developed drones has been planned for the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony to be held on January 29.

The parade - commanded by Parade commander - Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra and Parade Second-in-Command Major General Alok Kacker - comprises of six marching contingents of the Army, multiple regimental bands, naval contingent led by Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingent, National Cadet Corps (NCC) Boys Marching contingent. Tableaux of 12 states and Union territories and nine Central ministries will be displayed. In a first, 480 dancers chosen through an all-India dance competition, will perform a dance - titled 'Vande Bharatam'. The event will conclude with the Air Force flypast.

After the parade event, PM Modi will launch the NCC 'Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman' programme honouring the sacrifices of the martyrs.

The Defence Ministry has also dropped Mahatma Gandhi's favourite Christian hymns 'Abide With Me', replacing it with Kavi Pradeep’s 'Aey Mere Watan ke Logon', rendered by legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Apart from this tune, ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’, ‘Drummers Call’, ‘Hey Kanchha’, ‘Channa Bilauri’ are some of the 26 tunes to be played. On January 29, 44 buglers, 16 trumpeters and 75 drummers will conclude the 'Beating the Retreat event with the ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha’, as the Presidential convoy moves back. Centre stated that the changes were to make the ceremony more 'Indian'.

India celebrates its 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday - the theme being 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'. The celebrations will kick off with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the National War Memorial in Delhi and hoisting the national flag at Rajpath. The Republic Day parade will begin at 10:30 AM instead of the usual 10 AM to provide better visibility. Celebrations of Republic Day began from January 23 - marking Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th Birth Anniversary to January 30 - Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary. 

With the rise in Omicron cases across the world, R-Day celebrations will be held without any Chief Guests. Presidents of five central Asian countries- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were invited as guests but their visit was cancelled. A controlled crowd of  5,000-8,000 visitors will be allowed to visit Rajpath to see the parade as compared to around 25,000 audiences in 2021. Only double vaccinated adults/one-dose vaccinated children above 15 years will be allowed entry at the parade. Special invitees include Safai karmacharis, construction workers, auto-rickshaw drivers, frontline health workers etc.