His Majesty the King was the Chief Guest at the India’s Republic Day parade being held at India’s capital city New Delhi, today. This is India’s 64th Republic Day. It was on this day in 1950, when the Constitution of India came into effect, and India became an independent republic. Thereafter, January 26 has been celebrated as the Republic Day of India.
Millions of people had gathered at Rashtrapati Bhavan to witness republic day parade, which is held every year, on this day.
His Majesty the King and the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, were escorted by the presidential guard. They were received by the Vice President, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister of India, Dr.Manmohan Singh, and the heads of the defense ministry and armed forces.
His Majesty the King watched the Republic Day Parade, which displayed India’s military strength and cultural diversity, in full pageantry.
The prominent display, which added colour to the parade, was the flypast of armed forces helicopters showering petals on the spectators. Also, students dancing to patriotic songs and display of parade formation by motorcyclists added vigour to the parade.
The celebration concluded with the flypast by the Indian air force jets symbolically saluting the president.
His Majesty also graced the At Home Reception for Dignitaries, national award winners and the Indian government officials at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In the evening, His Majesty granted an audience to the Union Minister of Finance, P. Chidambaram.
His Majesty is accompanied by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen.
