Republic Day 2023 Highlights | President Droupadi Murmu hosts 'At Home' reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan

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President Droupadi Murmu hosts 'At Home' reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan

First parade on ceremonial boulevard after Rajpath renamed to Kartavya Path

74th Republic Day was also the first time the parade was held on the revamped Rajpath that was renamed the Kartavya Path last year.

India became a Republic on January 26, 1950, and since 1951, all Republic Day celebrations have been held on this historic avenue that was officially known as Rajpath till early September 2022. The Central government then rechristened it and PM Modi had on September 8 inaugurated the Kartavya Path, the stretch of road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.

For people in India who have grown up in post-Independence era, Rajpath had become synonymous with Republic Day celebrations, thanks to the annual ceremonial parade that it hosted every January 26 with many heads of state and other eminent personalities gracing the event as a chief guests.

74th Republic Day: Greetings pour in from world leaders

Indians across the world celebrated the 74th Republic Day with global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli, Australian and Bhutanese Prime Ministers, extending their greetings and highlighting their strong friendship with India.

In Beijing, officials and diaspora members attended the flag unfurling ceremony on the premises of the Indian Embassy. India's Ambassador to China Pradeep Rawat read out the important parts of the President's speech, which was followed by a short cultural programme which included the screening of a G20 video, a Bharatanatyam performance and a play in Hindi.

In Moscow, a flag unfurling ceremony was held on the premises of the Indian Embassy where Ambassador Pavan Kapoor read out the President's speech and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora. Russian President Putin congratulated his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly took to Twitter to wish his "friend" and the people of India on the celebration of the day India adopted its Constitution to become a Republic. The Indian High Commission in London held its customary flag-hoisting ceremony at India House. High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami addressed the diaspora gathering to convey the speech of Indian President Murmu.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his greetings to his Indian counterpart and the people of India. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen also extended greetings to his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on the occasion.

(With inputs from PTI)

U'khand governor unfurls Tricolour to mark 74th Republic Day

Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh unfurled the national flag at the Raj Bhawan and the Parade Ground in Dehradun to mark the 74th Republic Day celebrations. 

He inspected a parade by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Uttarakhand Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Home Guards, Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) and the National Cadet Corps (NCC). He also watched folk music and dance performances by local artistes. 

(With input from PTI)

WATCH: Even four-legged soldiers participated in the Beating Retreat ceremony at Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar, Punjab

The Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar, Punjab has concluded. 

WATCH: Beating Retreat ceremony on the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar, Punjab

Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29

Beating Retreat is the ceremonial conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations and will be held on January 29. The ceremony starts a little before dusk, and as the sun begins to set, it concludes with the flags being lowered and all of Vijay Chowk and everything you can view from it — the Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South Blocks on one side and India Gate on the other side — are silhouetted with lights.

PICS: PM Modi shares photographs of Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path 

PICS: PM Modi pays tribute at the National War Memorial

Grateful to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for attending Republic Day celebrations, tweets PM Modi

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READ: Republic Day 2023 | When and where to watch the Beating Retreat ceremony

Nepal PM extends his wishes for India's Republic day in a tweet