India celebrated its 67th anniversary of becoming a republic today (26 January 2016) with celebrations taking place across the country, including a military and cultural parade through the capital. Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into play as the new governing document of India, replacing the 1935 Government of India Act on 26 January 1950. Festivities took place all over the country with particularly spectacular sights observed in Jammu, Srinagar and Kolkata.
New Delhi saw colourful parades of both Indian and French military personnel, the first time a foreign army contingent has participated in the celebrations.
An Indian policeman performs a stunt on his motorcycle during the Republic Day parade in Jammu, IndiaMukesh Gupta/ ReutersPerformance artists dance through as they take part in India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi, IndiaAdnan Abidi/ReutersAn Indian policeman performs a stunt on his motorcycle during the Republic Day parade in Jammu, IndiaMukesh Gupta/ReutersKashmiri schoolgirls wearing traditional dresses perform to a song during India's Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar, IndiaDanish Ismail/ReutersAn Indian Army contingent marches past during the Republic Day Parade in New DelhiPrakash Sign/AFPIndian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, IndiaAdnan Abidi/ReutersIndian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, IndiaAdnan Abidi/ReutersIndian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, IndiaAltaf Hussain/ReutersIndian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, IndiaAdnan Abidi/ReutersAn Indian Army contingent marches past during the Republic Day Parade in New DelhiPrakash Sign/AFPAn Indian marching contingent from the Central Reserve Police Force marches during India's Republic Day parade in New DelhiRoberto Schmidt/AFP
India's Border Security Force (BSF) 'Daredevils' motorcycle riders take part during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, IndiaAltaf Hussain/Reuters
The country's capital arranged a two-hour ceremony with a range of performing acts such as camels and daredevil stuntwomen, along with a display of India's military hardware and marching bands. Colourful floats from various Indian states, traditional dances and gymnastics performances by children were also part of the event.
French President Francois Hollande was the chief of honour at the parade, where he joined President Pranab Mukherjee and premier Narendra Modi in watching the parade go through a central avenue near the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, making him the fifth French president invited as the guest of honour at the ceremony.
An Indian soldier salutes as he rides an Akash weapon system of air defence during India's Republic Day parade in New DelhiRoberto Schmidt/AFPAn Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier takes part in celebrations marking India's Republic Day at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, IndiaTauseef Mustafa/AFPAn Indian military personnel dressed in mountaineering gear looks on from a float during a parade to mark Republic Day in KolkataDibyangshu Sarkar/AFPIndian schoolchildren hold national flags during an event to celebrate the country's Republic Day in Mumbai, IndiaIndranil Mukherjee/AFPMembers of the Indian Navy ride a float during India's Republic Day parade in New DelhiRoberto Schmidt/AFPIndia's Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers march during India's Republic Day parade in Srinagar, Kashmir Valley, IndiaDanish Ismail/Reuters
Indian Paramilitary personnel march during a parade to mark Republic Day in KolkataDibyangshu Sarkar/ AFP
