Burj Khalifa is lit up with the colours of the Indian flag. Leslie Pableo for The National
Burj Khalifa is lit up with the colours of the Indian flag. Leslie Pableo for The National
Burj Khalifa is lit up with the colours of the Indian flag. Leslie Pableo for The National
Burj Khalifa is lit up with the colours of the Indian flag. Leslie Pableo for The National

Burj Khalifa lights up in colours of Indian flag to mark Republic Day


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The world's tallest building lit up in orange, white and green in celebration of a milestone moment in Indian history.

Dubai's Burj Khalifa was proudly illuminated by the colours of India's national flag to mark the country's 71st Republic Day on Sunday.

The landmark occasion - which is a national holiday in India - honours the date on which the country's constitution came into effect.

The constitution was adopted in November 1949, before being ratified on January 26, 1950, completing India's transition from part of the British Empire to an independent nation in its own right.

India secured Independence from British rule in 1947.

Republic Day was a cause for celebration for more than a billion Indians, including the estimated three million who reside in the Emirates.

Members of the Indian community celebrated Republic Day at the Indian High School in Dubai on Sunday.

Families and dignitaries watched cultural performance by Indian pupils, followed by a patriotic parade at the school campus.

The Indian national flag was hoisted by Consul General of India to Dubai, Vipul, at the Indian Consulate. After the flag hoisting, Vipul read out India’s President Ram Nath Kovind's speech to the nation.

  • Pupils perform a routine for India's Republic Day at the Indian High School in Dubai on Sunday. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
    Pupils perform a routine for India's Republic Day at the Indian High School in Dubai on Sunday. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The school hosts a doors-open event for the Indian community and all other residents.
    The school hosts a doors-open event for the Indian community and all other residents.
  • Indian Consul General Vipul salutes the parade at the Indian High School.
    Indian Consul General Vipul salutes the parade at the Indian High School.
  • Pupils dance with the Expo 2020 logo as a backdrop.
    Pupils dance with the Expo 2020 logo as a backdrop.
  • Pupils train for months to prepare for January 26 each year.
    Pupils train for months to prepare for January 26 each year.
  • Pupils train for months to prepare for January 26 each year.
    Pupils train for months to prepare for January 26 each year.
  • Spectators and participants dress up for the occasion.
    Spectators and participants dress up for the occasion.
  • A cacophonous noise filled the parade ground at the school's sprawling campus in Oud Metha.
    A cacophonous noise filled the parade ground at the school's sprawling campus in Oud Metha.
  • Pupils perform a routine on the parade ground.
    Pupils perform a routine on the parade ground.
  • The procession of flag-bearers on Sunday morning. Republic Day marks the day India's constitution came into effect, three years after independence from Britain.
    The procession of flag-bearers on Sunday morning. Republic Day marks the day India's constitution came into effect, three years after independence from Britain.
  • A human pyramid of performers on the parade ground.
    A human pyramid of performers on the parade ground.
  • Pupils dress as peacocks - India's national bird.
    Pupils dress as peacocks - India's national bird.
  • Pupils from Indian High School - the largest school in the Gulf, with close to 15,000 places - perform on Sunday.
    Pupils from Indian High School - the largest school in the Gulf, with close to 15,000 places - perform on Sunday.
  • In New Delhi, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets President Ram Nath Kovind and Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro as they arrive to attend the Republic Day parade. AFP
    In New Delhi, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets President Ram Nath Kovind and Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro as they arrive to attend the Republic Day parade. AFP
  • Women officers from the Central Reserve Police Force's motorcycle team perform during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP
    Women officers from the Central Reserve Police Force's motorcycle team perform during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP
  • Members of the Border Security Force personnel salute during a flag ceremony to celebrate Republic Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post, 35 kilometres from Amritsar. AFP
    Members of the Border Security Force personnel salute during a flag ceremony to celebrate Republic Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post, 35 kilometres from Amritsar. AFP
  • Members of India's Border Security Force perform during a flag ceremony to celebrate Republic Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post, 35km from Amritsar. AFP
    Members of India's Border Security Force perform during a flag ceremony to celebrate Republic Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post, 35km from Amritsar. AFP
  • An Indian dancer performs Manipuri Krishna dance during Republic Day celebrations in Gauhati. AP Photo
    An Indian dancer performs Manipuri Krishna dance during Republic Day celebrations in Gauhati. AP Photo
  • Schoolchildren dance on Rajpath. AFP
    Schoolchildren dance on Rajpath. AFP
  • Members of India's indigenous Tiwa community in traditional attire dance in Gauhati. AP
    Members of India's indigenous Tiwa community in traditional attire dance in Gauhati. AP
  • Soldiers march along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP
    Soldiers march along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP
  • Army soldiers march along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP
    Army soldiers march along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP
  • Camel-mounted Border Security Force contingent marches along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP
    Camel-mounted Border Security Force contingent marches along Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP