New Delhi, Jan. 26 -- As India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the national flag and received the customary 21-gun salute at Rajpath.

The 21-gun salute was presented by the Ceremonial Battery of 223 Field Regiment that was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jitender Singh Mehta.

Kovind, escorted by 46 President's Bodyguards raised in 1773 - on magnificent Bay and Dark Bay coloured mounts, was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wore a traditional 'kurta-pajama' and sported a special turban from Jamnagar in Gujarat.

Earlier, Modi paid solemn tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial at the India Gate.

After unfurling the national flag, the first formatio...