THE HEADLINES:
- Country’s Military prowess and cultural diversity showcased on Rajpath to mark the Republic Day celebrations; US President Barack Obama watches the extravaganza as chief guest.
- Republic Day celebrated across the country with enthusiasm; Reports of celebrations by Indian community abroad have also come in.
- Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh conferred the highest peacetime gallantry award for exceptional bravery.
- India's gold imports from Switzerland crosses 1.2 lakh crore rupees in 2014.
- Rain plays spoilsport in India-Australia match of the triangular ODI series at Sydney.
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India's military prowess and achievements in different fields, state-of-the-art defence platforms, its diverse cultural and social traditions was put on display at the 66th Republic Day parade in New Delhi today. US President Barack Obama was the Chief Guest of the event becoming the first American President to attend India's parade. A highlight of this year's parade was the display for the first time of the recently acquired long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine P-8I aircraft and the long-range advanced MiG-29K fighter plane. The synchronised military and police contingents led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi), Lt General Subroto Mitra marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through Rajpath where President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Pranab Mukherjee took the salute from a specially erected dais. More from our correspondent on the showcase of Republic Day parade:-
Giving a glimpse of country's cultural diversity, colourful tableaux from 16 states and some government departments marched down the Rajpath in drizzle and overcast skies. The other attraction of the parade was sparkling show of air power and dance by colorfully dressed school children. Channapatna toys of Karnataka, folk dances ofJ ammu and Kashmir, Majuli river island of Assam and Pandharpur Wari of Maharashtra were some of the attractions. Apart form this government of India's Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana ,a giant mechanised lion symbolic of Make in India policy, bullet train were displayed in the Parade. As women empowerment was the theme of this year's parade, for the first time, all-women contingent of the armed forces marched down the Rajpath. 24 children who have been awarded with the National Bravery Award also participated in the parade. with ANUPAM , SANJEEV JASROTIA AIR NEWS DELHI
India is celebrating its 66th Republic Day today with gaiety and enthusiasm. President Pranab Mukherjee unfurled the national flag at Rajpath in the presence of Chief Guest Barack Obama, First lady of US Michelle Obama, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After unfurling the Tricolour, the National Anthem was played with 21-gun salute. The Republic Day ceremony commenced at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath. Before commencement of parade President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the highest peacetime gallantry Award Ashok Chakra posthumously to Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh and Major Mukund Varadarajan who laid their life during anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir .The award was received by the wives of the martyrs. With women's Empowerment being the theme of this year's parade, for the first time all-women's contingent of the armed forces marched down the Rajpath. The parade displayed indigenously developed medium-range surface-to-air missile 'Akash', multi barrel rocket launcher 'Pinaka', laser-guided missile capable T-90 Bheeshma tank, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II Sarath and T-72 with Trawl. The indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Kolkata was also displayed which was inducted in the Indian Navy in July last year.
The main attraction of the parade was sparkling show of air power, fascinating tableaux depicting the diverse culture and dance by colorfully dressed school children. 24 children who have been awarded with the National Bravery Award also participated in the parade.
A total of 25 tableaux participated in the parade,with 16 of them belonging to states and the union territories. A giant mechanised lion symbolic of Make in India policy, huge mock-up of Karnataka's famed wooden toys, scale model of Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity, bullet train and safety and education of girl child were some of the attractions.
Reports of Republic Day celebrations are pouring in from different States and Union Territories across the country. Governors and Chief Ministers unfurled the national flag. The Governors also took salute at the march past by contingents of police and armed forces. Various cultural programmes and tableaux were presented to mark the celebrations.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the main function of Republic Day celebrations was held in the winter capital city of Jammu today. The function was organised at M.A. Stadium where the State Governor N.N.Vohra hoisted the tricolour. In the Kashmir Valley, the Republic Day was also celebrated amidst unprecedented security arrangements. The function was held at Bakshi stadium, where Kashmir Divisional Commissioner unfurled the national flag. For the first time since 2005, the mobile phone and mobile Internet services were not disrupted in Kashmir Valley as part of the security drill for Republic Day celebrations. Our Correspondent has filed this report:
Contingents from different paramilitary forces, Jammu and Kashmir police, Fire service, Home Guards and students of different schools participated in the march past which was followed by cultural programme . To avoid any untoward incident, sharp shooters had been deployed on all high rise buildings in the city, particularly around the Bakshi stadium. Reports of Rupublic Day celebrations were also received from other districts, major towns and tehsil headquarters in the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region. Meanwhile, for the first time in a decade, mobile phone and mobile Internet services were not disrupted in Kashmir Valley as part of the security drill for Republic Day celebrations. R. K. Raina, Air News, Srinagar.
In Leh in Jammu & Kashmir, the Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Mr Rigzin Spalbar hoisted the national flag.
In Assam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi unfurled the tricolor at Khanapara in Guwahati. Referring to the massacre of the 23rd of last month in his speech, the Chief Minister said that violence will not solve any problem. Gogoi said that the government is committed to take strict action against the terrorists. He also appealed to all militant groups to shun violence. A report from our correspondent:
Defying boycott calls given by terrorist groups, people from all walks of life have celebrated the Republic Day in Assam. Participating in the Republic Day celebration in Guwahati, Chief Minister appealed all militants to shun violence. Emphasizing on economic progress, Gogoi said that steps are being taken to provide skill development training and employment. Meanwhile, alert security agencies recovered an explosive in Jorhat today. Manas Pratim Sarma/Air News/Guwahati.
In Chhatisgarh, Governor Balramji Das Tandon unfurled the national flag and took the salute at the Republic Day parade held in state capital Raipur. Our Correspondent has reported that Chief Minister Raman Singh hoisted the tri-colour at Maoist affected Bastar divisional headquarter Jagdalpur.
Amid Maoist call for boycott tight security arrangements have been made in the Naxal affected regions of Chhattisgarh in view of the Republic day celebrations. Stiff security arrangements had been put in place in the state, particularly in Bastar region to avoid any disturbances by the rebels during Republic day celebrations. Naxals had been putting up banners and dropping pamphlets in several areas of Bastar from the past one week calling for a nationwide bandh on Republic day Armed jawans have been deployed at all the important government establishments. Besides, patrolling had been intensified in the interior areas and inter-state borders to check suspicious movement. No major untoward incident has been reported so far. Vikalp Shukla, Air News, Raipur.
In Andhra Pradesh, Governor E.S.L Narasimhan paid tributes to Pingali Venkaiah, who had designed the national flag.
There are similar reports of Republic Day celebrations from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra and several other states.
The Indian community in Sri Lanka celebrated the 66th Republic Day at a function at the India House in Colombo in large numbers this morning.
In a ceremony, the tricolour was unfurled by the High Commissioner Mr Y K Sinha. It was followed by the singing of the national anthem by hundreds of Indians. The High Commissioner read out the message from the President of India, which was followed by a cultural presentation by the artists of the India Cultural Centre.
Addressing the gathering, the High Commissioner said that democratic changes in the two countries in the last one year have seen a strengthening of the relationship in all the fields - cultural, developmental and diplomatic.
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Expatriate Indian community is celebrating the 66th Republic Day celebrations across the West Asia region with nationalistic fervor and enthusiasm. Flag hoisting and colorful events marked the occasion as a large number of NRIs took part in Republic day celebrations at various embassies and Consulates across the region. Several functions have been organized to mark the occasion.
India’s Ambassador to UAE, T.P.Seetharam hoisted the National Flag at the Indian Embassy premises in Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, India’s Consul General Anurag Bhushan hoisted the National Flag at the Indian Consulate and subsequently at the Indian High School premises in Dubai. Addressing the gathering, the Indian Consul General called upon the youngsters to imbibe the values enshrined in the Constitution.
Reports of Republic Day Celebrations have also come in from Bahrain, Egypt, Libya Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Ramallah, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,Tunisia etc in the region.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama will jointly address the nation in the next edition of "Mann Ki Baat" on All India Radio.
The programme will be broadcast tomorrow at 8 pm over the entire network of All India Radio. It will also be live streamed for domestic and global netizens. The regional channels will broadcast the programme at 9 am on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister has been addressing the nation over All India Radio every month since last October through the "Mann Ki Baat" programme.
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US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will jointly address the India-US CEO Forum Meeting in New Delhi this evening. Trade and economic issues, including visa, and impediments hampering investments, are likely to figure in the meeting. 'Make In India' campaign and ease of doing business will also be the focus of the meeting. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are expected to attend the meet. Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Bharti Enterprises chief Sunil Mittal, ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar, Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani, and other Indian and US business entrepreneurs are expected to be present on the occassion.
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Switzerland's gold exports to India have crossed 1.2 lakh crore rupees in 2014. According to Swiss government, gold worth 17.1 billion Swiss Francs or an over 1.2 lakh crore rupees have been imported during the 11-month period, from January to November end in 2014.
More than 457 kilograms of gold has been exported from Switzerland to India during January-November 2014 period. According to latest figures, gold imports surged over six-fold to over 35,000 crore rupees in November. The spike was primarily attributed to increased demand during marriage and festival season as well as easing off import curbs in November.
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In a must win match for India, rain has played spoilsport. In the fifth ODI game of the Tri Series being played at Sydney cricket ground, involving India and Australia, the rain interrupted game when India were batting at 69 for the loss of two wickets. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were at the crease when covers were called on due to un stoppable drizzle.
The match was already shortened to a 44 overs affair after rain had interrupted the game when India were 6 for no loss in 2.4 overs. So far, India has not registered victory in the series.
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Winter's intermittent drizzle added its own flavour to this year's Republic Day celebrations, as the spectators arrived in strength to witness celebration of the Constitution. Earlier, there was no forecast of rains, but a low pressure system, developed over Rajasthan yesterday, led to the light showers. According to the Meteorological department, similar weather conditions are expected to continue for the next three days.
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