(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA)
New Delhi, Jan 26 , Thousands of people including foreign dignitaries witnessed the 70th Republic Day celebrations at the Rajpath in New Delhi, where India showcased its military might including rising women power in the armed forces and cultural heritage. The main celebration ended with a majestic fly past by the pilots of the Indian Air Force to the delight of the spectators, among whom was South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the chief guest for the Saturday’s event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti in the presence of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three service chiefs.

Later Modi, wearing his traditional kurta pajama and the trademark Nehru jacket, reached the Rajpath and received President Ram Nath Kovind and the chief guest President Ramaphosa.

At the unfurling of the tricolour, the band played the national anthem with a 21-gun salute fired in the background.

Many senior leaders, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Deve Gowda, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those present on the occasion.

The overall theme for the Republic Day celebrations this year is the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and tableaux of many states, themed on him, are lined up for the occasion