India enforced its Constitution and became a Republic on 26th January, 1950. A lot has changed since then. We have made progress in every field, and the country stands as one of the fastest growing economies.
As we celebrate our 69th Republic Day this year, here are pictures from the past to the present showing how we celebrated Republic Day over the years:
Dr. Rajendra Prasad being sworn in as the first President of India on 26th January, 1950.
The first Republic Day Parade in 1950.
King Tribhuvan of Nepal as the guest of honour for Republic Day in 1951.
Units of Defence Services participating in an impressive parade held on Republic Day, in 1951. The President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad taking the salute at the March Past.
Artists from West Bengal performing the Lama dance during the 1956 parade.
A fountain at the India Gate illuminated on Republic Day- January 26, 1957.
The Parliament House, New Delhi, illuminated in 1958.
The Indian Railways tableau of the 1959 Republic Day Pageantry.
Reception held by the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, Rajeshwar Dayal, on the occasion of India’s 10th Republic Day at Karachi in 1959.
President Varahagiri Venkata Giri with the guest of honour, Mr. Josip Broz Tito (President of Yugoslavia), and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974.
IPS Kiran Bedi leading Delhi Police during the Parade in 1975.
President Shri F.A. Ahmed with Sea Cadets Republic Day Contingent of 1976 in New Delhi.
Dr. Patrick J. Hillery, President of Ireland, as the guest of honour at the parade in 1978 with Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the President of India.
Photographs of folk dancers, who were to participate in Republic Day Parade, taken at Rangsala on January 22, 1981.
President Giani Zail Singh with Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, President of Nigeria, the guest of honour at the parade in 1983.
One of India’s mainstream defence system, the Bofors Gun, on display during the 41st Republic Day parade in New Delhi in 1990.
President Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, and Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao with the the guest of honour, Dr. Nelson R. Mandela, President of South Africa at the Republic Day parade in 1995.
The Prithvi Missile system on display during the 47th Republic Day parade in New Delhi in 1996.
The guest of honour, Mr. Jacques Chirac, President of France, at the Republic Day parade in 1998.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with the guest of honour, King Birendra Bir Bikran Shah Dev, the King of Nepal, at the Republic Day parade in 1999.
The chief guest of the Republic Day Parade in 2003, the visiting President of Iran, Mr. Syed Mohammed Khatami, being introduced to the Service Chiefs by President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
The Border Security Force’s motorcycle-borne Janbaz team displaying its skills during the 55th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in 2004.
Balloons carrying the Indian National Flag float across the Rajpath skyline during the 55th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi in 2004.
Members of the Indian Army’s Gorkha regiment during a Republic Day parade.
Indian Air Force fighters refuel mid-air during the parade in 2005.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his wife Smt. Gursharan Kaur with the participants of the Republic Day Parade in 2008
Republic Day parade 2012
US President Barack Obama, the guest of honour, at Republic Day parade 2015.
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