India celebrates its 71st Republic Day today with grand celebrations in the national capital and all across the nation. The main Republic Day celebration is held in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India.
The Republic Day is celebrated to honour the historic date when the country completed its transition towards becoming an independent republic after its constitution came into effect.
The Republic Day parade ceremony started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial, and where he payed tributes to soldiers who died fighting for the country; this is the first time the PM will pay tribute at the war memorial instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, as the chief guest at the 71st Republic Day celebrations, watched the colourful parade at the majestic Rajpath along with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders.
This is the third time that a Brazilian President was the chief guest at the Republic Day. The last time a Brazilian President was the chief guest was in 2004 when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the parade.
