India celebrates 74th Republic Day with parades and patriotic zeal

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is the chief guest at New Delhi's parade

Female members of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force join a parade during the 74th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, India, 26 January 2023. The 'Republic Day of India' marks the date on which the Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950 and the country began its transition from a British Dominion into a republic. The celebrations of Republic Day usually include various parades including shows of military equipment and cultural displays. EPA / HJARISH TYAGI

The Indian Army's 'Arjun' tanks. EPA

Border Security Force soldiers give each other sweets. AFP

K9 Vajra vehicles on parade. Bloomberg

An officer stands at attention with a group of Indian Railway Protection Force personnel. EPA

The Indian Railway Protection Force dog squad. EPA

The government's Central Public Works Department float. EPA

The Central Reserve Police Force also had a float. EPA

Perfprmers dance as the Ministry of culture tableaux takes part in India’s 74th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2023. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)

Indian soldiers on the march. Reuters

Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched the parade. Reuters

President Murmu is followed by Mr El Sisi and Mr Modi as they leave. Reuters

Indian defence forces march through the ceremonial Kartavya Path boulevard. AP

ASC Tornadoes perform motorcycle stunts at Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore. EPA

Dancers put on performances on the theme 'Nari Shakti', which means women's empowerment. Reuters

Women in traditional clothes perform. AFP

A tableau at the Kartavya Path, an avenue in Delhi. AFP

Dancers take part in the cultural parade on the newly refurbished 3km Kartavya Path. AFP

Indian students perform during a parade at the Red Road in Kolkata. EPA

Madras Engineers Group soldiers perform 'Kalaripayattu', which is a traditional martial art form in Kerala. AFP

Indian security personnel march during a Republic Day parade at a stadium in Srinagar. AFP

Indian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. Reuters

Indian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. Reuters

An Indian police band performs during a Republic Day parade at a stadium in Srinagar. AFP

Indian security personnel stand in formation during a Republic Day parade at a stadium in Srinagar. AFP

A school pupil holds the Indian flag during Republic Day celebrations in Secunderabad. AFP

Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel perform in Secunderabad. AFP

More stunts from the Railway Protection Force. AFP

RPF members jump through a ring of fire. AFP

India is celebrating its 74th Republic Day with enthusiasm and patriotic fervour. AFP

India celebrated its 74th Republic Day with enthusiasm, patriotic fervour and a display of its cultural diversity and military might on Thursday.

The nation's constitution — the longest in the world — came into effect on January 26, 1950, making India a republic more than two years after it gained independence from the British.

President Draupadi Murmu, India’s first tribal president, led the nation in celebrating the day from Kartavya Path — the newly refurbished 3km boulevard in capital New Delhi.

The event took place after a two-year pause due to the pandemic and was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, opposition leaders and foreign diplomats.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi was the chief guest at the parade.

A group of “Shramyogis” — the workers involved in the construction of Central Vista, Mr Modi’s ambitious $2.8 billion parliament revamp project — were invited as special guests, along with milk, vegetable and street traders.

Mr Modi, who wore multicoloured headgear intended to symbolise the diversity of the country of 1.4 billion people, was welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

He visited the National War Memorial to pay his respects to fallen soldiers before the start of the parade.

“I wish that we move forward unitedly to fulfil the dreams of the country's great freedom fighters. Happy Republic Day to all fellow Indians!” Mr Modi said.

He also thanked Mr Sisi for “gracing” the celebrations.

About 65,000 people braved the cold as they witnessed the parade — a unique mix of military and cultural diversity, and a showcase of “New India”.

Approximately 6,000 security personnel attended the parade and 150 surveillance cameras were installed.

The annual event began with a 21-gun salute during the national anthem.

The ceremonial salute featured 105mm Indian field guns firing as President Murmu unfurled the national flag. The guns replaced the British-era 25-pounders, reflecting India’s policy of “Aatmanirbharta”, or self-reliance in defence.

The parade kicked off with a march by 144 soldiers from the Egyptian Armed Forces led by Col Mahmoud El Kharasawy.

India’s military — including army, navy, air force and paratroopers — also displayed their might. The country's military is the fourth most powerful in the world.

Four military helicopters showered flower petals on the audience.

Other members of the military showcased acrobatic skills and the Indian army performed stunts on motorbikes, including human pyramids and riding through fire rings.

An all-female contingent from the Central Reserve Police Force was one of the highlights at this year's parade.

In a first, female personnel participated in the camel contingent of the paramilitary Border Security Force in the parade, dressed in specially-designed uniforms and mounted on decorated camels.

The camel contingent that usually comprises 90 camels — 54 with troops and the rest with band personnel — has been participating in the parade since 1976.

India’s first passenger drone named Varuna was also unveiled. The drone can carry one passenger about 25km and stay aloft for about half an hour.

More than 400 gallantry awards were also given out.

The parade featured more than 470 dancers from across the country.

Vibrant floats from different states on various themes such as spiritualism, the empowerment of women and tribal culture showcased the diversity and history of the country.

Religious shrines also dominated the tableaux, while several government departments had floats celebrating the country's achievements in the fields of agriculture, science and technology.

The grand finale was the fly-past, a display by 45 Indian Air Force planes, one from the navy and four army helicopters.

India’s new French-made Rafale fighter aircraft performed the concluding Vertical Charlie manoeuvre.