Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Camels and stuntmen wow crowds at India’s Republic Day

Motorbike stunt riders and herds of camels wowed the crowds gathered in New Delhi on Thursday (26) to celebrate Republic Day, an annual showcase of India’s military hardware and cultural diversity.

After the US and French presidents attended the last two events, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was this year’s chief guest as everyone from bagpipe-playing troops to schoolchildren paraded along the landmark Rajpath boulevard.


The day marks the adoption of the country’s constitution on January 26, 1950, following independence from Britain in 1947.

The nearly 100-minute parade displayed India’s latest weaponry, including missiles and indigenously-manufactured radar systems, along with elaborate floats representing the country’s different states and union territories.

A contingent of border guards rode into town on camels, wearing colourful caparisons fitted with round mirror pieces, and were greeted with loud cheers from spectators.

The arrival of the camels followed a show by stuntmen from military units, some of whom balanced themselves precariously on ladders on the back of moving motorbikes.

A military contingent from the UAE led the march down Janpath and the parade concluded with a fly-past by Indian fighter jets.

Prime minister Narendra Modi wore a pink turban and was seen chatting with guests inside a bullet-proof enclosure.

Nahyan is the second Arab leader to attend the function after Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in 2006, as India eyes financial investments and energy security from the region.

More than 50,000 security personnel were deployed in the capital to prevent any possible attack.

Suspected separatist militants triggered at least eight bombs in the remote northeastern Assam and Manipur states, but without causing any major damage or casualties.

In his televised Republic Day speech on Wednesday night (25), president Pranab Mukherjee said India’s strength lay in its religious and cultural diversity.

Critics say India is witnessing an increasingly strident brand of Hindu nationalism since Modi came to power in 2014.

“More than the unison of ideas, a healthy democracy calls for conformity to the values of tolerance, patience and respect for others,” said Mukherjee, a member of the main opposition Congress party and whose position is largely ceremonial.

“Our tradition has always celebrated the argumentative Indian not the intolerant Indian.”

More For You

Protesters rally against China's planned mega-embassy in London

A protestor is detained by the police during a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese Embassy, outside Royal Mint Court, in London. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

Protesters rally against China's planned mega-embassy in London

HUNDREDS of demonstrators protested at a site earmarked for Beijing's controversial new embassy in London over human rights and security concerns.

The new embassy -- if approved by the UK government -- would be the "biggest Chinese embassy in Europe", one lawmaker said earlier.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian man arrested in US for alleged sexual assault

Singh is charged with “assault with sexual motivation” (Photo for representation: iStock)

Indian man arrested in US for alleged sexual assault

AN INDIAN national is among four persons arrested by US immigration authorities over charges related to sexual assault.

Jaspal Singh, 29, an Indian citizen was arrested on January 29 in Tukwila, Washington.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer sacks minister over WhatsApp messages

Andrew Gwynne (Photo: UK parliament)

Starmer sacks minister over WhatsApp messages

A Labour party lawmaker said he regretted "badly misjudged" comments after prime minister Keir Starmer sacked him as a minister.

It is the latest bump in the road Starmer's government has hit in its first seven months in power despite a landslide election victory in July last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-bjp-reuters

BJP supporters celebrate in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

Modi's BJP wins Delhi assembly election after 27 years

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that "development had won" as his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in Delhi’s local elections, ending a 27-year gap since it last controlled the capital’s legislature.

"Development has won, good governance has won," Modi said after Delhi’s former chief minister, a key opposition leader, conceded defeat.

Keep ReadingShow less