Global leaders on Thursday extended wishes to India on its 74th Republic Day.
India displays its defence capabilities on January 26 each year, displaying its state-of-the-art land, air and marine military equipment to the world on Republic Day with a parade in the capital New Delhi attended by the president, prime minister, diplomats and tens of thousands of citizens.
The nation's constitution came into effect on that date in 1950, making the country a republic.
New Delhi has a tradition of inviting a foreign dignitary on the occasion and this year Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is the guest of honour.
Leaders from across the world sent wishes to the South Asian nation.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed sent a message of congratulations to President Droupadi Murmu of India to mark the occasion. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also sent congratulatory messages to Ms Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared a note on Twitter congratulating Indians on the day that honours the “rich culture and extraordinary achievements” in the past seven decades.
Australia, a former British colony and a Commonwealth nation, shares its National Day with India ― January 26.
“Sending best wishes to Narendra Modi and the people of India on Indian Republic Day. As we share national days, we celebrate the warm spirit of affection our people have long held for each other and the depth of our friendship. Australia and India have never been closer,” Mr Albanese tweeted.
Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid described the country as an inspiration and wished India “peace and prosperity”.
“The success of the Indian Constitution is an inspiration for nations. And the Indian democracy has not only survived, but is thriving … our warmest felicitations to the government and people of India on the 74th Republic Day,” Mr Shahid said on Twitter.
Israeli officials in New Delhi tweeted a video featuring Israeli diplomats speaking various Indian languages and wishing Indians well on the big day.
"The team of the embassy in Israel in India join in on the celebration of India's rich heritage and cultural diversity by wishing our dear Indian friends in some of their regional languages,” it said.
The US embassy in India also congratulated New Delhi and shared a video of a rendition of the Indian national song, Vande Matram, sung by a Grammy-nominated singer Pavitra Chari. Two US officers also participated in the rendition.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Results
STAGE
1 . Filippo Ganna (Ineos) - 0:13:56
2. Stefan Bissegger (Education-Nippo) - 0:00:14
3. Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:21
4. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:24
5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) - 0:00:30
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 4:00:05
2. Joao Almeida (QuickStep) - 0:00:05
3. Mattia Cattaneo (QuickStep) - 0:00:18
4. Chris Harper (Jumbo-Visma) - 0:00:33
5. Adam Yates (Ineos) - 0:00:39
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
