India celebrates Republic Day on January 26 every year to mark the day the constitution was adopted in 1950, after the country gained independence from Britain three years earlier.
Republic Day has become an occasion to celebrate India's democratic traditions and military, as well as its cultural and regional diversity.
The 75th Republic day is to be marked by the traditional military and cultural parade in New Delhi, with French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the celebrations as chief guest.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, the cabinet, opposition leaders and foreign diplomats will also watch the parade along the Kartavya Path – a refurbished 3km boulevard that is a part of Mr Modi’s Central Vista project in the heart of the capital.
What does Republic Day signify?
After gaining independence on August 15, 1947, India remained under the British Commonwealth, with the UK's monarch as its head of state.
But the leaders of India’s independence movement, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, believed the country should be a sovereign, democratic republic. After Mr Nehru became the first prime minister of an independent India, his government began to draft a constitution.
The constitution was officially adopted on January 26, 1950.
How does India celebrate Republic Day?
Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi begin with a 21-gun salute, followed by the President hoisting the national flag. The national anthem is also sung. It is a tradition to pay homage to soldiers killed in action.
A large part of the Republic Day parade is dedicated to showing India's military capabilities. The parade usually begins with the winners of gallantry awards saluting the President, commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces, from military vehicles.
This is often followed by a display of fighter jets, missiles and other military hardware. Members of the army, navy, air force, police and paramilitary forces then march along the route.
One of the highlights of the parade has always been the soldiers mounted on camels. The troops usually patrol India's border with Pakistan, in the Thar Desert. The army's motorcycle stunt riders also perform.
This year, a 95-member contingent from the French Foreign Legion and a 33-member band from France will march down the Kartavya Path.
The military display gives way to floats that put a spotlight on the culture and history of various states and regions, while there are also performances by musicians and dancers.
Thousands of schoolchildren take part in the event, performing dances and cultural activities as they pass along the route connecting India Gate to the President’s residence. Other events are held on a smaller scale in India's state capitals.
Who attends the Republic Day celebrations?
Many high-profile figures from around the world have attended Republic Day celebrations over the years. The chief guest is usually a head of state and their invitation is considered to be an opportunity to strengthen ties with New Delhi.
The chief guest at the first Republic Day Celebration in 1950 was Indonesian president Sukarno. King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal attended the following year.
India invited Pakistan's governor general Malik Ghulam Muhammad in 1955. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, attended the 1959 Republic Day celebration, with the UK's Queen Elizabeth II travelling for the event in 1961.
Chief of Defence Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten, viceroy of colonial India in 1947 and its governor general until 1948, was invited to be chief guest for Republic Day in 1964.
King Mohammad Zahir Shah of Afghanistan was the chief guest in 1967. Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first post-apartheid president, was chief guest in 1995.
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah was the chief guest in 2006, followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2007 and French president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.
India invited Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2014 and US president Barack Obama in 2015. In 2017, New Delhi sent an invitation to the UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at the time.
British prime minister Boris Johnson was to be chief guest in 2021 but was unable to attend because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
MATCH INFO
Serie A
Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Men's football draw
Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica
Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea
Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA
Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
