Watch UP minister's gaffe: 'India celebrating 59th Republic Day', he says

In a major goof up, an Uttar Pradesh Minister on Friday said that India is celebrating "59th Republic Day".

"We are celebrating India's 59th Republic Day," UP's MoS Education Sandeep Singh said in Aligarh on Friday.

Today is India's 69th Republic Day which was celebrated with pomp and gaiety across the country. Unprecedented in India's history, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries today attended the Republic Day parade at the majestic Rajpath which showcased the country's military prowess and rich cultural diversity.

This is for the first time ten heads of state attended the annual celebrations as chief guests, and the gathering of the leaders of the powerful grouping was being seen as reflective of India's growing stature as a major power in the region where China has been trying to increase its strategic clout.

Thousands of people on both sides of the Rajpath, India's ceremonial boulevard facing the seat of power at Raisina Hill, braved the winter chill and cheered loudly as the marching contingents and tableaux went past them.

OneIndia News with PTI inputs