As India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday, the country’s military prowess and cultural diversity were on show during the parade in its national capital Delhi.
The parade, which started at 10.30 am, featured 21 parade floats, a 75-aircraft ceremonial flight by the Indian Air Force and cultural performances by over 480 dancers from across the country.
Out of the 21 parade floats, 12 belonged to the states while nine to ministries or government departments. The floats featured themes including women's empowerment, freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, the guiding principles of Lok Adalats, and others. Several states also used the floats to show off their regional heritage.
Given the rising number of coronavirus caseas, the Delhi Police have issued a set of guidelines for citizens willing to attend the programme.
Only fully vaccinated audience members were allowed at the event. Children aged 15 or less were not granted entry.
Every year, the Republic Day celebrations begin on 24 January. However, this year, they began on 23 January to mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose.
Meanwhile, the federal government announced the list of the recipients of the Padma award, one of the highest civilian awards in the country, on the eve of Republic Day to 128 people.
These awards are conferred by the President at ceremonial functions held at his official residence - the Rashtrapati Bhawan - in around March or April each year.
India's first Chief of Defence Staff, who died last month in a horrific helicopter crash, has been honoured posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan - the country's second-highest civilian award. Vaccine makers Cyrus Poonawalla of the Serum Institue and Krishna Ella and Suchitra Ella of Bharat Biotech have been honoured with a Padma Bhushan.
The heads of tech giants Microsoft and Google Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai have been named for the Padma Bhushan honours.
Singer Sonu Nigam and Olympic gold-medallist Neeraj Chopra have been honoured with a Padma Shri.
Here is the full list of Padma awardees: