Nation celebrates 69th Republic day today

The Nation is today celebrating the 69th Republic Day, the main function will be organized at Rajpath in the national capital where President Ram Nath Kovind will take the salute of the parade. Under the custom to host a leader of a foreign country as the chief guest at the parade, this year, in a first, leaders of 10 ASEAN countries are the Chief Guests. 

In another first, the ASEAN flag will fly in the sky over Rajpath for the first time on a Republic Day. Five Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the Indian Air Force will precede the parade commander with the lead helicopter carrying the National Flag. The second helicopter will carry ASEAN flag and the other three choppers would carry the flags of the Army, Navy and the Air



Force. 

The tableauxs of fourteen states and nine Central Ministries will participate in the parade showcasing varied themes starting from country’s rich cultural heritage, flora and fauna and socio-economic development to progress of the nation. There will be marching contingents, display of various aircraft, military vehicles, and weapons followed by a flypast, involving different formations by the fighter aircraft.

The national capital has been brought under a ground-to-air security cover in view of the Republic Day celebrations. Thousands of armed personnel are keeping a tight vigil in Delhi and in border areas of the city to ensure a smooth passage of the celebrations.