Republic Day LIVE: Military might, cultural diversity on display at parade

Republic Day parade LIVE updates: The Republic Day parade ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial. As per tradition, the national flag was unfurled followed by the national anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. The Republic Day parade is underway.

In its 72nd Republic Day, India will show its military might with Rafale fighter jets taking part in the flypast for the the first time and the armed forces showcasing T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets, among others, said the Defence ministry on Monday.

Total 32 tableaus -- 17 from states and union territories, six from the Defence ministry and nine from other Union ministries and paramilitary forces -- depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage, economic progress and defence prowess will roll down the Rajpath at the Republic Day parade.

A 122-member proud contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces will also march on Rajpath.

India is currently celebrating the Swarnim Vijay Varsh - Golden Jubilee year - commemorating the country's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

The Indian Navy's tableau at the Republic Day parade this year will showcase models of Indian naval ship (INS) Vikrant and naval operations that were conducted during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase models of light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas and indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile Dhruvastra on its tableaus during the parade, the ministry noted.

Catch LIVE updates on Republic Day 2021 celebrations