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#RepublicDay2019 These pictures of are from India's first Republic Day. India's constitution came into effect on Republic Day, January 26, 1950. We chose this day for ourselves as it was the anniversary of Purna Swaraj Day, which was held on January 26, 1930. 
#RepublicDay2019 Before the parade begins at Rajpath in central Delhi, the ceremony begins at Amar Jawan Jyoti in India Gate. A reversed rifle on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet symbolising the immortal soldier - the ceremony begins with homage to those who died for us
#RepublicDay2019 Amar Jawan Jyoti was constructed in 1971 to commemorate the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers in the Liberation of East Pakistan. Ever since then Prime Ministers (IG being 1st one) have a role to play in RD parades, otherwise it is the President who takes salute
#RepublicDay2019 The Amar Jawan Jyoti is located inside the India Gate which is an open structure so the flame,rifle,helmet is visible from a distance. Indian Gate built in 1921 by Edwin Lutyens. Yup same Lootyens 😀 Built as a memorial for British Indian Army soldiers of WW-II
correction - WW-I
#RepublicDay2019 And at the India Gate, awaiting the arrival of the Prime Minister are the three chiefs- Chief of Army staff General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and Admiral Sunil Lanba. At Rajpath, the sun is shining down gloriously after two days of continuous rain
The sequence of what happens at Amar Jawan Jyoti & Rajpath is done to military precision. After the PM lays the wreath, the Guard Commander gives the Salami Shastr or Present Arms and then the Shok Shastr or Reverse Arms, the buglers then sound the Last Post. Very solemn ceremony
If you are near a TV set now, doordarshan is bringing you fabulous visuals of the India Gate from all angles, you can see the four flames burning bright on the sides of the reversed gun and helmet. They burn on CNG. This is the eternal flame that burns all year.
Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman has arrived at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, she meets and salutes the three service chiefs awaiting the arrival of the PM. At Rashtrapati Bhavan the departure of the President and the chief guest of today South African president Cyril Ramaphosa begins.
#RepublicDay2019 PM Modi arrives at the India Gate, He has on a ceremonial turban, walks through a few paces to the flower bedecked Amar Jawan Jyoti. The soldiers now in attention, salute the fallen soldier. Civilians don't need to but the PM gives the Naval salute this time.
#RepublicDay2019 Two minute silence and then the buglers sound the Rouse and Guard Commanders the Salami Shastr- Salute with Arms, this completes the memorial ceremony at Amar Jawan Jyoti
#RepublicDay2019 This the fifth time that PM Modi signs the register at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. The last one of his 1st term. Dr Manmohan Singh is the only PM so far to have signed this book 10 times in a row (2terms). PM Modi now heads to Rajpath, the saluting dais to the parade
#RepublicDay2019 Now all eyes on the saluting dais at Rajpath where most dignitaries have arrived, awaiting the arrival of the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces Ram Nath Kovind & the Supreme Commander of the South African National Defence Force Cyril Ramaphosa
The President, the first lady and the South African president arrive in a carcade escorted by 46 President's Bodyguards on magnificent Bay and Dark Bay coloured mounts. The chief guest & President used to arrive in an open buggy but that was done away with due to security reasons
#RepublicDay2019 The dignitaries will be seated in an enclosure which is also the saluting base. Opposite the saluting dais it the national emblem, the Lion capital of the Sarnath placed on a pedestal representing a stupa-signifying world peace and unity
#RepublicDay2019 Here comes the President with the fabulous Presidential bodyguards- the seniormost in order of precedence of the Indian Army. The motto & war cry of the Regiment is Bharat Mata ki Jai. All personnel are at least 6 feet tall.
#RepublicDay2019 on your screens you just saw the battery that will give the 21 gun salute, so glad there was a shot of that team which is tucked away, usually never seen :-) 21 gun salute is given on Republic Day Indepence Day and to visiting Heads of State
