Republic Day 2024 Live Updates: President Droupadi Murmu addresses nation on the eve of 75th Republic Day - The Times of India (2024)

Watch Live: Republic Day Parade 2024 , PM Modi, President Murmu, Macron join Republic Day Celebrations

Republic Day Live: Welcome to India, my friend the President Emmanuel Macron, tweets PM Modi.

Republic Day Live: IMD predicts moderate to dense fog in the morning hours till 8.30 AM on Republic Day. It says the visibility would be 100-400 meters. It is likely to improve to 500-800 meters with shallow fog from 10 am and further improve to 800-1500 meters (mist/shallow fog) from 10.30 am.

Republic Day Live: Captain MV Pranjal awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously.

Captain MV Pranjal 63 Rashtriya Rifles Corps of Signals, was leading a small surveillance team when he came across two terrorists who too saw him in Rajouri district. The officer sensed danger for the women and children present there and pushed them to safety as terrorists opened fire. He engaged the terrorists despite the minimum cover and maintained contact till the arrival of additional troops. He later succumbed to gunshot wounds. For saving the lives of civilians and sustained contact with terrorists which led to their elimination, he has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously.

Republic Day Parade Live: PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron interacted over a cup of tea as they visited a tea stall in Jaipur earlier today. PM Modi also used UPI to make a payment at the tea stall.

Republic Day Live: 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat- Loktantra Ki Matraka' serve as focal point of parade

As the country is set to mark its 75th Republic Day on Friday, the focal points of the parade will be 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat-Loktantra ki Matraka', symbolising the country's aspirations and its role as a nurturer of democracy.

Republic Day Live: PM Modi gifted a replica of Ram Mandir to French President Emmanuel Macron in Jaipur

Republic Day Live: Indian Navy’s Vice Chief Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal at this Republic Day.

Indian Coast Guard Chief Director General Rakesh Pal awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. Further, Major Digvijay Singh Rawat, 21 Para Special Forces, Major Deependra Vikram Basnet, 4 Sikh and Havildar Pawan Yadav, 21 Mahar awarded the Kirti Chakra.

Republic Day Live: I am sure our sportspersons, infused with new confidence, will deliver improved performance in Paris Olympics, said President Murmu

"Let us hope regions embroiled in conflicts will find peaceful way to resolve conflicts and bring about peace. What youths want is not same old rhetoric of equality, but realisation of our cherished ideal of equality," she added.

Republic Day Live: Extraordinary performance in GDP will continue in 2024 and beyond, said President Droupadi Murmu

She also awarded Captain Anshuman Singh, Army Medical Corps, 26TH battalion Punjab Regiment, Havaldar Abdul Majid of 9 Para Special Forces unit and Sepoy Pawan Kumar of 55 Rashtriya Rifles (Grenadiers) the second highest peacetime gallantry award - Kirti Chakra, posthumously.

Republic Day Live: The period of 'Amrit Kaal' will be the period of unprecedented technological changes, said President Murmu in her address to the nation.

"Technological advances like Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are becoming a part of our daily lives. There are many areas of concern in the future, but there are also exciting opportunities ahead, especially for the youth. They are exploring new frontiers. We need to do all we can to remove hurdles from their path and let them unleash their full potential", she said.

Republic Day Live: President Droupadi Murmu has approved Gallantry awards to 80 Armed Forces personnel, including 12 posthumous, on the eve of the 75th Republic Day.

The awards include six Kirti Chakras, including three posthumous; 16 Shaurya Chakras, including two posthumous; 53 Sena Medals, including seven posthumous; one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) and four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Republic Day Live: Earlier this week, we witnessed the historic 'Pran Pratishtha' of the idol of Lord Shri Ram in the glorious new temple constructed in Ayodhya, says President Murmu

On Ayodhya Ram Temple, President Droupadi Murmu in her address on the eve of Republic Day said, "When this event is seen from a wider perspective, future historians will consider it a landmark in India’s continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage. The construction of the temple commenced after the due judicial process and the decision of the highest court of the land. Now it stands as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of people’s faith but also as a testament to people’s enormous trust in judicial process."

Republic Day Live: The nation is in the early years of Amrit Kaal, says President Droupadi Murmu.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the Republic Day, she said, "This is the time of transformation. We are given a golden opportunity to take the country to new heights. Contribution from every citizen will be crucial to achieve our goals."

"Tomorrow is the day when we celebrate the commencement of the Constitution. Its Preamble begins with the words “We, the People of India”,highlighting the theme of the document, namely, democracy. In India, the democratic system is much older than the concept of western democracy. That is the reason why India is called the “mother of democracy," she said.

Republic Day Live: Prime minister Narendra Modi explained the UPI digital payments system to French President Emmanuel Macron during their visit to Jaipur

The two leaders held a mega roadshow after their visit to Jantar Mantar. They stopped at Hawa Mahal.

Republic Day Live: Prime minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron visit Hawa Mahal in Jaipur

LIVE: French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Modi hold a roadshow in Jaipur, huge number of people gather to witness the roadshow.

Republic Day Live: PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron begin mega roadshow in Jaipur ahead of talks

Republic Day Live: PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at Jantar Mantar

They will further take part in a roadshow from Jantar Mantar to Albert Hall with a stopover at Hawa Mahal. Both will dine together at Rambagh Palace.

Republic Day Live: President Emmanuel Macron visits Amer Fort in Rajasthan

Republic Day Live: French President Emmanuel Macron interacts with students at Amber Fort in Jaipur

He will also visit Jantar Mantar, and the Hawa Mahal. Later, he will hold talks with PM Modi.

Republic Day Live: Prime minister Narendra Modi reaches Jaipur to meet French President Emmanuel Macron

The two will later hold a roadshow and a meeting. Some 24,000 students from government schools are set to form a human chain along JLN Marg and highways to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Narendra Modi during their visit.

Republic Day Live: French President Emmanuel Macron landed on Indian Soil.

To attend the 26 January Republic day parade French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Jaipur

Around 24,000 students from government schools will form a human chain along JLN Marg and roads in the walled city on Thursday to greet French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visit. The students will stand on the left side of the roads, holding flags of both India and France, said officials. The district education officer (secondary) of Jaipur issued an order on Wednesday evening, stating, "To welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of France Emmanuel Macron, a human chain will be formed on Jan 25 from the state hangar (Jaipur airport) till Sanganeri Gate (walled city)." Students must reach the designated points between the state hangar and Albert Hall by 1pm, and those between Tripolia Bazaar and Badi Chaupar in the Walled City by 4pm, states the order.

Republic Day Live: Out of 753 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM)

Along with 667 which have been awarded to Police Service, 32 to Fire Service, 27 to Civil Defence& Home Guard Service and 27 to Correctional Service.

Republic Day Live: 102 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM)

Out of 102 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), 94 have been awarded to Police Service, 4 to Fire Service and 4 to Civil Defence& Home Guard Service.

Republic Day Live: 277 gallantry medals awarded

Out of the total 277 gallantry medals awarded, 275 GM have gone to 72 personnel from J&K Police, 18 from Maharashtra Police, 26 from Chhattisgarh police, 23 from Jharkhand police, 15 from Odisha police, 8 from Delhi police, 65 from CRPF and 21 from SSB

Republic Day Live: President’s Medal for Gallantry awarded to 2 BSF personnel

This Gallantry award is for their outstanding contribution in the prestigious task of peace keeping as part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).

Republic Day Live: 119 police personnel engaged in Left Wing Extremism affected areas, 133 deployed Jammu & Kashmir region and 25 deployed in other regions awarded for their gallant action on R-Day eve this year

Republic Day Live: 1132 personnel of Police, Fire Service, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Service have been awarded Gallantry/Service Medals this Republic Day

French President Emmanuel Macron will land in Rajasthan's Jaipur on Thursday and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jaipur. Both leaders are likely to use UPI for transactions at Hawal Mahal after the Shobha Yatra.French President Macron will land in Rajasthan's capital, Jaipur, in the afternoon, after which he will head towards Amber Fort. At Amber Fort, he will receive a cultural welcome and will also witness a small exhibition of local artefacts at Amber Fort's Diwan-i-Khas. Post his visit to Amber Fort, the French President will dash towards Jantar Mantar, where he will be greeted by Prime Minister Modi and shown the ancient Indian astronomical prowess. At Jantar Mantar, PM Modi and President Macron will board a vehicle designed for a road show called Shobha Yatra, which will terminate near Hawa Mahal, where both leaders will also have photo opportunities. At Hawa Mahal, both leaders will shop at local shops, and transactions are likely to be done through UPI.

Republic Day Live: Former chief minister of Bihar Karpoori Thakur, a mascot of Backward politics, will be conferred with the nation's highest honour, Bharat Ratna, posthumously.

President Droupadi Murmu made the announcement on Tuesday, a day before his birth centenary. Thakur was a two-time Bihar CM and served once as deputy CM also. By honouring Thakur, a leader from the EBC community and an influential figure in the political landscape of Bihar, the BJP has made a strong move in the state where EBC voters play a vital role in any election. Post the caste census and hike in reservation quota, the Nitish Kumar-led government presented itself as the champion of Backward community and social justice. The EBCs account for 36% of the Bihar population.

Republic Day Live: Macron's visit caps the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Republic Day Live: Bank holidays on Republic Day 2024 weekend: As the week unfolds, banks are preparing for a three-day weekend, with closures scheduled starting from Friday, i.e., January 26, 27, and 28. The month of January 2024 brings a total of 16 holidays for banks, including the second and fourth Saturdays, Sundays, and various regional holidays.

Republic Day Live: Delhi Metro will commence its services at 4 am on all its lines to help people reach Kartavya Path to witness the Republic Day ceremony on Jan 26. Train services will be available at an interval of 30 minutes till 6 am and regular timetable will be followed thereafter, for the rest of the day.

Republic Day Live: To address healthcare challenges in Siddharthnagar, Lucknow, free health camps will be organized by Mati, a public trust with a specific focus on UP’s Purvanchal region, on Republic Day

Republic Day Live: PM Modi will receive Macron in Jaipur and they will participate in a road show. They will together visit popular tourist attractions like Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar