Ram Nath Kovind Republic Day Speech Highlights: President Kovind Urges Citizens To Take Covid Vaccine Made In India

As India celebrates its 72nd Republic Day, the annual parade at Delhi's iconic Rajpath is set to be different in comparison to previous years amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Background

President Ram Nath Kovind will address the nation on Monday on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day, which will be broadcast at 7:00 PM on All India Radio and Doordarshan TV channels across India.It will be telecast through all the channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version, and later in regional languages by the respective regional channels. The All India Radio will broadcast regional language versions of the President's address from 9:30 PM onwards.As India celebrates its 72nd Republic Day, the annual parade at Delhi's iconic Rajpath is set to be different in comparison to previous years amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The number of attendees at Rajpath has also been reduced -- 25,000 will be seated along the ceremonial boulevard instead of 1.15 lakh.In his previous address on the eve of Republic Day, Kovind had invoked constitutional ideals and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. "Our Constitution gave us rights as citizens of a free democratic nation, but also placed on us the responsibility to always adhere to the central tenets of our democracy – justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. It becomes easier for us to follow these constitutional ideals if we keep in mind the life and values of the Father of our Nation,” he had said.How did the President's Address on Republic Day eve become a tradition?On January 26, 1950, at 10.18 a.m., in the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (then called the Government house) governor-general C Rajagopalachari read out a proclamation announcing the birth of our republic. This was followed by the swearing-in of our first president, Rajendra Prasad, and our first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and his cabinet. President Rajendra Prasad, in his first Republic Day speech, which was also his acceptance speech, announced, “Today, for the first time in our long and chequered history we find the whole of this vast land… brought together under the jurisdiction of one constitution and one union which takes over responsibility for the welfare of more than 320 million men and women who inhabit it”.From then on, every year, our presidents have sought to remind us not only of how far we have come but also how far we are yet to travel in our collective pursuit of the ideals spelled out in 1950.

25/01/2021 19:23:25

India 'faced' an expansionist move on its borders, but our valiant soldiers foiled it: Kovind

Past year was a time of adversity, & it came from many fronts. We faced an expansionist move on our borders, but our valiant soldiers foiled it. To achieve this objective, 20 of them had to lay down their lives. The nation shall remain grateful to those brave soldiers: President Ram Nath Kovind on Republic Day

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25/01/2021 19:20:13

Issue of climate change is top priority: Kovind

I am sure that with a view to reducing the risk of such pandemics, the issue of climate change will be accorded top priority at the global level: President Ram Nath Kovind in his message to the nation on the eve of 72nd Republic Day

25/01/2021 19:18:33

President Kovind says, 'Farm Laws To Bring New Opportunities For The Farmers

Economic reforms continue apace & supplemented by long-pending reforms in areas of labor & agriculture through legislation. Path to reform at initial stages may cause misapprehensions. However, it's beyond doubt that govt remains singularly devoted to farmers’ welfare. The new Farm Laws will bring opportunities for Farmers: President

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25/01/2021 19:16:52

President Kovind salutes India Army at Siachen and Galwan Valley

President Ram Nath Kovind: "From freezing cold at Siachen & Galwan valley in Ladakh with temperatures as low as -50 to -60°C to scorching heat in Jaisalmer with temperatures as high as 50°C – on land, in the skies & at the vast coastal areas – our warriors are vigilant every moment."

25/01/2021 19:13:47

President lauds Indian soldiers, farmers and scientists

President Ram Nath Kovind on 72nd Republic Day, "Our farmers, soldiers and scientists deserve special appreciation and a grateful nation greets them on this auspicious occasion of the Republic Day, Our scientists, along with doctors, administrators & people from other walks of life, have made a major contribution in containing the virus & keeping the fatality rate lower in our country, compared to that in developed countries."

25/01/2021 19:10:00

President salutes the frontline workers of Covid 19 pandemic

Every Indian salutes our farmers, who have made our vast & populous country self-reliant in food-grains and dairy products. Despite adversities of nature, numerous other challenges & COVID-19 pandemic, our farmers sustained agricultural production

25/01/2021 19:08:39

President Addresses The nation

President Ram Nath Kovind is addressing the nation on Republic Day eve. He said, "This is the day to also pause & ponder over the core values that Constitution propounds. These values – Justice, Liberty, Equality & Fraternity – outlined in the Preamble of our Constitution are sacred to all of us

25/01/2021 18:52:30

Delhi Traffic Police issues advisory for Republic Day parade

The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory for the Republic Day parade on January 26. “There would be elaborate traffic arrangements and restrictions in place for smooth conduct of the parade and tableaux along with respective routes,” the advisory stated.

The Republic Day parade will begin at 9:50 am Tuesday from Vijay Chowk and proceed to the National Stadium, while tableaux will start from Vijay Chowk and move towards Red Fort ground. The wreath-laying function will be held at National War Memorial at 9 am

25/01/2021 18:41:14

Woman Fighter Pilot a part of Parade, No Chief Guest this year

Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth will also be a part of the Republic Day parade, becoming the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the country’s biggest ceremony. This year's Republic Day parade will be organised without a chief guest, a first in more than five decades.

25/01/2021 18:40:12

Republic Day Parade to be different amid Covid pandemic

As India gears up celebrate the 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, this year's parade will be different amid the coronavirus pandemic. The parade, however, will also be a witness to many firsts, including the flypast with Rafale jets and soldiers wearing masks to ensure Covid-19 protocols are followed as they display the country’s military might. The number of officials participating in the parade has been reduced to from 144 to 96 this year due to the pandemic.

25/01/2021 18:39:23

President Kovind will address the nation on Republic day eve

President Ram Nath Kovind will address the nation on the eve of India’s 72nd Republic Day on Monday. His speech will be telecast at 7pm on the entire national network of All India Radio (AIR) and over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version.