LIVE Republic Day Celebration: Flag at red Fort Shortly; Chief Guest Obama to Witness Parade
For the first time in India's history a US President will be the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade.
Barack Obama, who is on an official three-day visit to India, will be part of India's 66th Republic Day celebrations as chief guest of the event.
The parade will begin at around 9:50 am from Vijay Chowk and will proceed to Red Fort Ground passing through Rajpath, India Gate, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg, and will go on till 12 pm.
Obama will witness India's cultural and social heritage as well as its diversity and defence capability that will be put on display during the parade at Rajpath on 26 January, after Indian President Pranab Mukherjee hoists the national flag at Red Fort in the morning.
After the flag hoisting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give a speech from Red Fort and lay a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti – memorial to unknown soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the nation.
This will be followed by an award distribution by the president, who will confer the Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and National Bravery Award to the armed forces and civilians for showing immense courage in trying circumstances.
After the president hands out the bravery awards, several regiments of armed forces including the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Border Security Forces will start their march past. A number of cultural programmes including folk dances and songs representing different states will be on display at the parade.
The Republic Day parade concludes with Indian defence forces dressed in the tricolour performing stunts on motorcycles and the flypast by Indian Air Force jets and helicopters.
Where to watch live streaming
The Republic Day parade will be broadcast live on the Republic Day website and by Doordarshan on its YouTube channel. The live coverage will also be telecast by Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV. All India Radio will also air the coverage of the parade and speeches live on 26 January.
