Republic Day 2018: Parade showcases India's military might, cultural heritage

India is all set to celebrate it's 69th Republic Day this year. It is being celebrated with pomp and gaity every year since January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of the country came into effect on this day. This year, the Republic Day parade will be even grander as all ASEAN leaders will be present during the celebrations.

The heads from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei - are chief guests for Republic Day 2018 celebrations. ASEAN has completed 50 years since its formation and India has completed 25 years of its partnership with the group.

Catch all the Live updates here:

11:40 am: Parade ends

11:30 am: Fly past by Mig, Sukhoi and Jaguar

11:25 am: BSF motor cycle women team 'Seema Bhawani' led by sub inspector Stanzin Naryang at Rajpath.

11:20 am: The Karnataka tableau at RepublicDay parade, tableau depicts the state's wildlife.

11:15 am: The Assam tableau at RepublicDay parade, tableau is based on traditional mask used in religious dances and drama in Satras(Vaishnava monasteries) and Namghars(Prayer halls)

11:00 am: Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh & Lakshadweep Tableux show India's cultural diversity.

10:57 am: Tableaux of Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand with its focus on rural tourism and Jammu and Kashmir march on the Rajpath.

10:55 am: Tableaus showcase rish cultural diversity of India.

10:45 am: Madhya Pradesh's rich heritage exhinited at Rajpath.

10:40 am: All India Radio tableux in display at Rajpath.

10:37 am: Nirbhay (long-range sub-cruise missile) Tableau rolls down Rajpath

10:35 am: Weapon locating radar SWATHI on display at Rajpath. An indigenous radar which can simultaneously track upto seven targets.

10:33 am: Senior Division NCC Girls march down Rajpath

10:30 am: BSF's camel contingent marches down Rajpath.

10:25 am: Dogra Regiment marches down Rajpath.

10:20 am: Tableux honouring war veterans on display at Rajpath.

10:15 am: Brahmos missile mobile autonomous system showcased at Rajpath.

10:10 am: Contingent of Russian made T-90 tanks, Aakash missles showcase India's defence capability at Rajpath.

10:07 am: ASEAN flag bearer contingent march at the RepublicDay parade. Flags being carried by a contingent of the Rajputana Rifles regiment

10:05 am: Republic Day parade begins

10:00 am: President Ram nath Kovind confers gallantry awards

9:55 am: There will be a march past by the Army personnel carrying the ASEAN flag at the Republic Day parade

9:50 am: President Kovind arrives at Rajpath saluting dias.

9:45 am: ASEAN leaders begin to arrive at Rajpath, PM Modi recieves them.

9:40 am: Prime Minister NarendraModi arrives at Rajpath.

9:30 am: PM Modi pays homage to martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti.

9:20 am: The national capital has been put under a security blanket with thousands of security personnel, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters deployed in view of the Republic Day parade.

9:15 am: ITBP jawans unfurl national flag at an altitude of 18,000 feet.

9:10 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh unfurls tricolour at his residence in Delhi

8.50am: Mobile services in Kashmir Valley are suspended ahead of Republic Day parade. Services are expected to resume around midday.

8:45 am: BSF women bikers set to make debut at Rajpath.

8:30 am: BJP Chief Amit Shah unfurls tricolour at party HQ in Delhi.

8:20 am: Over 60,000 security personnel deployed for Republic Day.

08:10 am: Rahul Gadhi arrives at Rajpath.

08:00 am: PM Modi extends greeting to nation on 69th 'Gantantra Diwas'.

To mark the importance of Republic Day, each year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from the Raisina Hill Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's residence), along the Rajpath, past India Gate.

Prior to its commencement, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath on the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial to fallen soldiers at India Gate on Rajpath.

The 69th Republic Day parade will see participants not only from the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, but it will also showcase over 700 students across the guest countries performing at the event.

And for the first time, a newly-formed all-woman bikers contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) will make its debut on Rajpath on Republic Day.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress is extremely upset that its president Rahul Gandhi has been assigned a seat in the fourth row at tomorrow's Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath in the heart of New Delhi. His predecessor and mother Sonia Gandhi was always seated in the front row.

OneIndia News