Happy Republic Day 2017

India celebrates its 68th Republic Day today. The Parade, held every year at Rajpath in Delhi, concluded earlier today. On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into force, and Republic Day is celebrated to honour that day. On this day in 1950, the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad took oath. President Pranab Mukherjee started the ceremony by hoisting the Indian flag, following which the Republic Day Parade began from Rajpath. The parade, held annually on January 26, starts from Rajpath and ends at Red Fort in Delhi. 

Every year on Republic Day, India invites a visiting head of state, who is the state guest of honour (chief guest) for the ceremony. This year's guest of honour was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally received the Prince at the airport, said that United Arab Emirates is India's valued partner and close ties between the two countries are important for the entire region.