26 Jan, 11:34 (IST)

The gathering at Rajpath was captivated by the air formations formed by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The most coveted of the air formations was the virtual dive performed using Sukhoi-30 -- which was also the final presentation of the Republic Day parade this year.

26 Jan, 11:20 (IST)

The Daredevils contingent, who perform heart-throbbing incident each year as part of the Republic Day parade, were not behind this year as well. They performed various stunts before the President, including a salutation offered to him from a 12.5 feet ladder planted over moving bikes.

26 Jan, 11:15 (IST)

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police, posted at the highest peaks of Siachen, hoisted the national flag to celebrate Republic Day 2019.

26 Jan, 11:10 (IST)

The Swachh Bharat Mission tableau stressed on Mahatma Gandhi's message of "cleanliness being next to godliness". Students of several schools were part of the tableau -- which proceeded under a song aimed at promoting the usage of toilets.

26 Jan, 11:01 (IST)

The tableau presented by the Ministry of Railways recalled how the train services proved a vital role in Mahatma Gandhi's independence movement. Gandhi had used the Railways between 1910s to 1947 to travel to the lengths and breadths of the nation with the aim of uniting it in the struggle against the colonial powers.

26 Jan, 10:59 (IST)

The Power Ministry tableau highlighted how the rural electrification has been completed by the government, bringing light and current to every remotest corner of the nation.

26 Jan, 10:57 (IST)

The Uttar Pradesh tableau highlighted the state's religious culture. The song accompanying the tableau recalled how the state had been braced by Sant Kabir and Gautam Buddha.

26 Jan, 10:55 (IST)

The tableau presented by the state of Delhi stressed on how the national capital adopted Mahatma Gandhi's core principles of diversity and pluralism.

26 Jan, 10:50 (IST)

The tableau presented by the state of Gujarat recalled how Mahatma Gandhi led the Dandi March, which forced the British regime to revoke the high taxes on salt.

26 Jan, 10:48 (IST)

The Punjab tableau recalled how deeply Mahatma Gandhi was affected with the 1919 massacre of innocents at the Jallianwala Bagh, where the Sikh community had convened to peacefully demonstrate against the British regime.

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New Delhi, January 26: The annual Republic Day parade, the marquee celebration of India's culture and diversity, will be held with much fanfare in the national capital today. Referred to as the R-Day parade, the event will feature 22 different tableaus, representing various states and government departments. The parade is scheduled to begin at 9:50am. Stay tuned above for the live updates.

The chief guest for the Republic Day 2019 celebrations is South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He would be witnessing the parade along with South African First Lady Tshepo Motsepe. The guests of honour would be received at the Rajpath by President Ram Nath Kovind. Republic Day Parade 2019 Special: IAF Blended Bio-Fuel Aircraft, Mahatma Gandhi Theme Based Tableaus & All-Women Assam Rifles Contingent, Plenty to Look Forward.

The parade will begin at Vijay Chowk and culminate at the Red Fort grounds, covering the region of Rajpath, India Gate and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the Delhi Police. A traffic advisory was also issued for commuters in the national capital, as the entire path stretching from Rajpath to C-Hexagon has been sealed since 2am in the night.

The Republic Day parade could be live streamed at state broadcaster Doordarshan. To watch live online, click here.

One of the most intriguing aspect of this year's R-Day parade is that it will feature, for the first time, an all-women unit of the armed forces marching as part of the Army tableau.

On the Republic Day's eve, the President delivered his special address to the nation. Stressing on unity and integrity, Ram Nath Kovind said, "This country belongs to each of us and to all of us - every group and every community, every region and every identity. It belongs to every citizen and every individual. India's pluralism is its greatest strength and its greatest example to the world."