1400 HRS
26th January , 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Nation celebrates 64th Republic Day; Colourful parades highlighting the country's achievements in various fields mark the celebrations.

• Karnataka Government not in crisis for now, says Governor H R Bharadwaj.

• At least 50 people killed in a prison clash in northwest Venezuela.

• Uttar Pradesh Wizards to take on Ranchi Rhinos and Delhi Waveriders to meet Mumbai Magicians in the round-robin matches of Hockey India League this evening.

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The Nation celebrates its 64th Republic Day today. Unfurling of National flag and colourful parades highlighting the country's achievements in various fields, the military prowess, scintillating display of air power as also country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, marked the celebrations.

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A sunny morning with a nip in the air greeted thousands of spectators gathered to witness the Republic Day parade at the majestic Rajpath in the National Capital Delhi .

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place to keep a tight vigil in the Capital.

The rich cultural heritage, and nation's achievements in various fields were the highlights of Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in Delhi. The well-turned out and synchronised military and police formations led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Lt General Subroto Mitra marched proudly to the tunes of bands through the Rajpath where President Pranab Mukherjee, the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, took salute for the first time after assuming office in July last year.

The impressive march-past was watched by Chief Guest, King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, Vice President Mohammad. Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and other dignitaries. Minutes before the parade began, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying wreaths at 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', an eternal flame in the memory of those who laid down their lives while defending the nation.

The Army showcased its impressive weaponry which included main battle tank- ARJUN, Super Sonic Cruise Missile Brahmos Weapon System and Multi Barrel Rocket System -Pinaka. Display of above 5000 kilometer range Agni-V missile, Mobile Integrated Network Terminal and mini version of INS Vikramaditya also remained the centre of attraction during the function. 19 tableaux from various States and Central Ministries also mesmerized the spectators. Tornadoes, the motorcycle display by the Army Service Corps spellbound the viewers spectators with their attractive stunts at Rajpath.

At the final leg of the parade, a spectacular flypast was showcased by the Indian Air Force.

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The air show commenced with 'Chakra' formation comprising MI-35 Helicopters. Arrowhead formation by five Jaguars and Trishul formation by three Su-30 MKI mesmerized the spectators.

The ceremony culminated with the National Anthem and the release of colorful balloons.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the main Republic Day function was held at Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, amid tight security arrangements. A report:

Addressing the Republic Day function, Governor N. N. Vohra said that in the past two years there has been a decline in the incidence of terrorist violence. He said that it is due to the role played by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the supreme sacrifices made by J&K Police and the Security Forces that the State is moving ahead on the path of peace and development." CHANDER KANT SHARMA/ AIR NEWS/ JAMMU.

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In Punjab, the function was organised at Roopnagar where Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Shivraj V. Patil unfurled the tri-colour and took salute from the parade.

Chief Minister, Prakash Singh Badal unfurled the flag at Amritsar and paid tribute to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifices for the Nation.

Our Jalandhar Correspondent reports that the National flag was also unfurled at Attari Check Post in Amritsar and BSF personnel distributed sweets to Pakistan Rangers on behalf of DG, BSF.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Army, Paramilitary, State Police, NCC and Scouts and Guides took out a parade at the main Republic Day function in capital Lucknow. Governor BL Joshi took the salute.

In Rajasthan, the state level Republic Day function was organized at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur where Governor Margret Alva hoisted the tricolour.
In Gujarat, the main function was held in tribal district Dang as a part of State Government's policy of combining national festivals with decentralization of administration.

In Chhattisgarh, tribal population in the Maoist bastion Bastar defied Maoist diktats and celebrated the Republic Day.

Republic Day is also being celebrated in North Eastern States with colorful shows. In Sikkim, Governor, Balmiki Prasad Singh unfurled the National tri-color at Palzor stadium in Gangtok and took the salute of jawans from Sikkim police and other paramilitary forces.

"The Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh said thatSikkim has given top priority to its education sector and allocated 20% of its total plan allocation. He said, the state which has shown considerable all round development in agriculture, tourism, health and other relevant public services now is in need of an alternative National Highway from Sevok in north Bengal to Gangtok serving better to its people by establishing better road connectivity in state."AJIT SINGH/ AIR NEWS/ GANGTOK.

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In Assam, the main function was held at Khanapara Veterinary College Playground in Guwahati where Governor J B Patnaik hoisted the tricolour in presence of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

In Tripura, the main function was held at the Assam Rifles Ground in Agartala where the State Chief Minister Manik Sarkar unfurled the National Flag.

"18 Contingents took part in the march past. The Contingent comprised of Jawans from paramilitary forces, Tripura State Rifles, NCC, Scouts, Police, Forest and Home Guards and Assam Rifles School. Cultural troupes from different schools and cultural organisation also presented a colourful programme on this occasion." SUDIPTA KAR/ AIR NEWS/ AGARTALA.

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The reports of celebrations have also came in from Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram.

In West Bengal, the day is being celebrated with over whelming enthusiasm. The people of Gorkhaland Teritorial Administration Sabha in Darjeeling Hills joined the celebration.

The Republic Day is being celebrated across Odisha with gaiety and enthusiasm.

In Kerala, the celebrations began with the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy unfurling the national flag at the Central Stadium in the capital Thiruvananthapuram.

"Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that in 2011-12, Kerala achieved a growth rate of 9.5 per cent ,which is above the national average.The start-up project announced by the Kerala Government for young entrepreneurs has received an enthusiastic response. The Chief Minister said the Government will tackle the three challenges of price-rise,drought and waste management with all resources at its command." GEORGE MATHEW/AIR NEWS/ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

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In Karnataka, rich tributes were paid to the freedom fighters and armed force personnals during the function.

In Maharashtra, Governor K Sankarnarayanan unfurled the national flag at the main function at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.  The report of celebration are coming in from other states also.

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In neighbouring Nepal, India’s Ambassador Jayant Prasad unfurled the national flag at the Embassy premises in Kathmandu and read out the President's address to the Nation on the eve of the Republic day. A very large number of Indians took part in the celebrations.

Reports of Republic Day celebrations have also come in from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the UAE and Srilanka.

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Karnataka Governor H R Bharadwaj has said that he will not ask the Shettar Government to prove majority as there is no threat to the government from the 13 MLAs who intend to quit. He was speaking after witnessing the Republic Day function in Bangalore today. He said that a decision on his next course of action will be made only after the resignations of these MLAs are accepted by the Speaker. The Governor said that he will watch the developments day-by-day, as each day of the budget session is a test for the Government. He clarified that he cannot take action on his own, as the Speaker is independent. Saying that he has summoned the Legislative Assembly session on the 4^{th of next month, Mr. Bharadwaj said that he will address the joint session as there is no constitutional crisis as of now. He also informed that all the records of Assembly party position, including the letters received from the 13 MLAs desiring to resign, have been handed over to the Chief Minister. The Karnataka legislature is due to complete its term in May.}

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DMK leader M Karunanidhi has urged the central government to immediately cancel the dual pricing policy on diesel by oil companies. In a statement he said that oil companies have increased diesel prices by 50 paise per litre for retail users and 12 rupees per litre for bulk users.

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At least 50 people have been killed and 90 wounded in clashes at a prison in northwest Venezuela. Hospital sources said, most of those injured at the Uribana prison in Lara state suffered gunshot wounds. They called the death toll alarming, saying it was based solely on bodies brought to the hospital. The inmates began arriving at the hospital shortly before midday, and 14 of the injured had wounds severe enough to require surgery.

Iris Varela, the minister responsible for Venezuela's jails and prisons, said the riot was set off after inmates rebelled when prison authorities launched a sweep of the facility in search of illicit weapons. He had said earlier in the day there was an undetermined number of casualties from the melee.

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Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi appealed for calm after seven people died in clashes between police and protesters yesterday, the second anniversary of the revolt that toppled Hosni Mubarak. In his message, Morsi urged citizens to adhere to the values of the revolution, express opinions freely and peacefully and renounce violence.

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Heavy snow across parts of Britain has caused major travel disruptions, as forecasters say more wet weather and milder temperatures may bring flooding. Motorists on the M6 were forced to abandon their cars this morning, as snow grounded planes at Leeds Bradford Airport. Elsewhere, emergency services in Wales have been tackling flash flooding. Snow in the north of England is due to extend south-east, while heavy rain is affecting Wales and south-west England.

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In its final leg, the Buddhism heritage tour, which began from New Delhi reached Lumbini in Nepal, the birth-place of Lord Buddha today. It reached Lumbini a day after exploring the place of death of Lord Buddha at Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. The Buddha Heritage tour, has been organised jointly by Odisha Government and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The tour will conclude tomorrow.

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Uttar Pradesh Wizards will take on Ranchi Rhinos and Delhi Waveriders will meet Mumbai Magicians in the round-robin matches of the Hockey India League today. The Uttar Pradesh-Ranchi fixture will be played at 3 PM in Lucknow, while the Delhi-Mumbai match will take place in Delhi at 7 PM.

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World Number One Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will today lock horns with Na Li of China in the Women’s Singles title clash of the Australian Open Tennis tournament at Melbourne. In the semi-finals, defending champion Azarenka had defeated Sloane Stephens of the United States, 6-1, 6-4; while sixth seed Li had stunned World Number Two Maria Sharapova of Russia with a straight set, 6-2, 6-2 victory.

In the Men’s Singles semi-final yesterday, Britain’s Andy Murray defeated World Number Two Roger Federer of Switzerland in a thrilling five set game, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2. Murray will now face defending champion and World Number One Novak Djokovic of Serbia for the Men’s Singles title tomorrow.

In the Men’s Doubles final match today, top seeded American brothers, Bob and Mike Bryan will clash with the Dutch pair of Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling.

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US President Barack Obama voiced support for France's military intervention in Mali and vowed to work with French counterpart Francois Hollande to tackle extremism across North Africa. In a telephonic talk, the two Presidents discussed other shared security concerns, including Algeria, Libya and Syria. The White House in a statement said, the president expressed his support for France's leadership of the international community's efforts to deny terrorists a safe haven in Mali.