The nation's flag was raised at Kartavya Path on Thursday to kick off the 74th Republic Day celebrations for the first time since President Droupadi Murmu took office last year. Tradition dictates that the national anthem and 21-gun salute come after the unfurling of the tricolour. Notably, 105 mm Indian Field Guns were used for the 21 Gun Salute for the first time. It took the place of the old 25-pounder gun.


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The Gun Salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of the 871 Field Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Kumar, SM commanded the Ceremonial Battery. The Gun position officer was Naib Subedar Anoop Singh. 


Also read: PM Modi pays Respect to the War Heroes Before the Republic Day Celebrations at National War Memorial


The 21 Gun Salute is presented during Republic Day, Independence Day, and visits of foreign Heads of State. The President, on her arrival at Kartavya Path, was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The National Flag was unfurled at Kartvya Path by an Air Force Officer, Flt Lt Komal Rani. 


Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played, and the 21 Gun Salute was presented to the President. President Murmu was earlier escorted from her residence by the President`s Bodyguard on their Bay and Dark Bay-coloured mounts. 


The President`s Bodyguard is the seniormost Regiment of the Indian Army. This year`s Republic Day is special as `The President`s Bodyguard` marked 250 years since its raising, in 1773, at Varanasi.


The Commandant of the President`s Bodyguard, Colonel Anup Tiwary, rode to the right of the President`s Car, leading this elite body of horsemen, mounted on his charger Glorious. To the left of the President`s Car was the Second-in-Command of the Regiment, Lt Col Ramakant Yadav, mounted on his charger Sultan.  It is the senior-most Cavalry Regiment carrying out mounted ceremonial duties for the President. President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is the Chief Guest at this year`s parade.


(With ANI Inputs)