Indian republic turns 72; States, UTs rejoice

New Delhi: India celebrated 72nd Republic Day which much fervour and zeal on Tuesday with the grand annual parade presenting a total of 32 tableaux - 17 of various states and UTs, nine of ministries and six from the defence arm on Rajpath here.

Other states of the country, too, celebrated the occasion in their own unique style.

The celebration in union territory Delhi started with CM Arvind Kejriwal dedicating the day to the protesting farmers, corona warriors and the soldiers of the country.

In a video message, he honoured covid warriors and soldiers and said, "We saw doctors and nurses serving people putting their own lives at risk, we saw sanitation workers maintaining cleanliness, brave soldiers safeguarding the country and we saw the commitment and struggle of our annadatas serving the people of this great Republic amid the biggest pandemic in the history of human race."

In the morning Tuesday, the chief minister organised a flag hoisting ceremony at his residence in New Delhi.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presided over a short ceremony to mark day, where he congratulated the public and spoke about the importance of the Indian constitution.

He said, "Republic Day inspires us to remain devoted to the Constitution. The country becomes great only by its dedication to the national religion."

Gujarat kick-started the day with Governor Acharya Devvrat unfurling the national flag in the presence of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at a college ground in Dahod city in the morning.

In Ladakh, Indo-Tibet Border Police celebrated the day by marching on a frozen water body with the Indian Flag in minus 25 degrees Celsius, video of which has gone viral on the internet. MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal hoisted the Indian Flag at an altitude of 15000 ft.