Indian President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the national flag on Kartavya Path and the Republic Day parade has begun. French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest this year.
Murmu and Macron arrived at Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present. ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka’ are the themes for the celebrations this year. Republic Day celebrations this year is women-centric. For the first time, the parade was heralded by 100 women artists playing Indian musical instruments like Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada and others. An all-women Tri-Service contingent will also be marching down Kartavya Path for the first time.
Indigenous weapons and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles were displayed at the parade.