Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the masses a “Happy Republic Day” on Wednesday, just hours before the parade is set to kick off in New Delhi. “Wishing you all a happy Republic Day. Jai Hind”, PM Modi wrote on Twitter in English and Hindi.
Several other political leaders also passed their greetings to the people of India on social media platforms on January 26. While some wrote about “truth and equality” others dedicated their wish to India’s armed forces.
Congress party’s Rahul Gandhi wrote in a social media post, “On Republic Day in 1950, our country took the first step in the right direction with confidence. Salute to that first step of truth and equality. Happy Republic Day. Jai Hind!.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, wrote on Republic Day, “I bow to all the soldiers who have dedicated their lives to keep the pride, unity and integrity of the Indian Republic intact. Let us all pledge today to ensure our commitment to the democratic values of freedom.”
Multiple government officials across the country conducted a flag unfurling ceremony at their private residences and offices to mark India’s Republic Day. These included Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and CM MK Stalin, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and CM Naveen Patnaik, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan among many others.
The Republic Day celebrations are scheduled to kick off at 10:30 AM on Wednesday in New Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind will be present at the ceremony. Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu is not expected to show up for the event after testing positive in Hyderabad earlier this week.
The celebrations to mark India’s democratic values began earlier than usual this year in order to also include the birth anniversary of Indian freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, who was born on 23 January 1897.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday unfurled the tricolour at his official residence in south Mumbai on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day.
