In pics: Dazzling tableaux add sheen to 70th Republic Day parade

<p>The makers of Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' on Friday held a special screening of the forthcoming film for President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.</p>

<p>On the occasion, President Kovind felicitated the cast and crew of the film.</p>

<p>"President Kovind watched a special screening of the film 'Manikarnika', based on the life of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre; felicitated the cast and crew of the film," read a post from the official Twitter handle of Rashtrapati Bhavan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">President Kovind watched a special screening of the film 'Manikarnika', based on the life of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre; felicitated the cast and crew of the film. <a href="https://t.co/o1AwNwz9av">pic.twitter.com/o1AwNwz9av</a></p>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1086280793486327808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also present at the screening were senior BJP leader LK Advani and CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi.</p>

<p>The film, which also stars Atul Kulkarni, Jisshu Sengupta and Danny Denzongpa, is slated to hit the big screens on January 25.</p>


The makers of Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' on Friday held a special screening of the forthcoming film for President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.

The makers of Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' on Friday held a special screening of the forthcoming film for President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. On the occasion, President Kovind felicitated the cast and crew of the film. "President Kovind watched a special screening of the film 'Manikarnika', based on the life of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre; felicitated the cast and crew of the film," read a post from the official Twitter handle of Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Kovind watched a special screening of the film 'Manikarnika', based on the life of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre; felicitated the cast and crew of the film. pic.twitter.com/o1AwNwz9av — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 18, 2019 × Also present at the screening were senior BJP leader LK Advani and CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi. The film, which also stars Atul Kulkarni, Jisshu Sengupta and Danny Denzongpa, is slated to hit the big screens on January 25.

President Kovind felicitates cast of 'Manikarnika' at special screening

Ranjan Gogoi sworn in as Chief Justice of India

<p>King Abdullah was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where he inspected a guard of honour and met Indian officials.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">King Abdullah II of Jordan receives ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi. <a href="https://t.co/6HR0wZcea7">pic.twitter.com/6HR0wZcea7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/969060518899208192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Jordan&#39;s King Abdullah II will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: King Abdullah II of Jordan arrives at Rashtrapati Bhawan, received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. <a href="https://t.co/g43n7pKIkA">pic.twitter.com/g43n7pKIkA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/969059815166218240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>King is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi later in the day.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">King Abdullah II of Jordan paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in Delhi. <a href="https://t.co/9Jz2hNxB2S">pic.twitter.com/9Jz2hNxB2S</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/969062837984350208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi tweeted about the bilateral talks on his twitter handle.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II to Delhi. It&rsquo;s wonderful to meet him again, after my brief halt at Amman earlier this month. His visit to India will further deepen bilateral ties between our nations. I look forward to our talks on Thursday,&rdquo; PM Modi tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II to Delhi. It&rsquo;s wonderful to meet him again, after my brief halt at Amman earlier this month. His visit to India will further deepen bilateral ties between our nations. I look forward to our talks on Thursday. <a href="https://t.co/MUWsd3rxyj">pic.twitter.com/MUWsd3rxyj</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/968518953063583744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>King Abdullah, accompanied by a large business delegation and officials, is in India on a three-day official visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met King Abdullah, who then visited IIT-Delhi to explore possible tie-ups with technical institutes in Jordan. He also took part in an in a CEO roundtable followed by the India-Jordan Business Forum meeting. In his address to the forum organised by FICCI, King Abdullah asserted that there were &ldquo;lots of opportunities for Indian companies to come and work in Jordan&rdquo;.</p>


King Abdullah, accompanied by a large business delegation and officials, is in India on a three-day official visit.

King Abdullah was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where he inspected a guard of honour and met Indian officials. King Abdullah II of Jordan receives ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/6HR0wZcea7 — ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2018 × Jordan's King Abdullah II will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House. Delhi: King Abdullah II of Jordan arrives at Rashtrapati Bhawan, received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/g43n7pKIkA — ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2018 × King is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi later in the day. King Abdullah II of Jordan paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/9Jz2hNxB2S — ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2018 × Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi tweeted about the bilateral talks on his twitter handle. “Welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II to Delhi. It’s wonderful to meet him again, after my brief halt at Amman earlier this month. His visit to India will further deepen bilateral ties between our nations. I look forward to our talks on Thursday,” PM Modi tweeted. Welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II to Delhi. It’s wonderful to meet him again, after my brief halt at Amman earlier this month. His visit to India will further deepen bilateral ties between our nations. I look forward to our talks on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/MUWsd3rxyj — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2018 × King Abdullah, accompanied by a large business delegation and officials, is in India on a three-day official visit. On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met King Abdullah, who then visited IIT-Delhi to explore possible tie-ups with technical institutes in Jordan. He also took part in an in a CEO roundtable followed by the India-Jordan Business Forum meeting. In his address to the forum organised by FICCI, King Abdullah asserted that there were “lots of opportunities for Indian companies to come and work in Jordan”.

Jordan's King Abdullah II gets ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan

<p>Yogi Adityanath has said it does not matter who built the Taj Mahal, or why it was built.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But that it was built with the blood and sweat of Indian labourers.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It does not matter who built it and for what reason; it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers: UP CM Yogi Adityanath <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TajMahal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TajMahal</a> <a href="https://t.co/KSFU56KIRz">pic.twitter.com/KSFU56KIRz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/920188361439977472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is very imp for us, especially from tourism perspective it is our priority to provide facilities &amp; safety to tourists there: CM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TajMahal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TajMahal</a> <a href="https://t.co/exOCYL0YgD">pic.twitter.com/exOCYL0YgD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/920189104347742208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;It does not matter who built it and for what reason; it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers,&quot; ANI quoted him as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He did however add that the Taj was &quot;very important for us, especially from tourism perspective&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The controvery had been brewed yesterday by BJP MLA Sangeet Som when he was quoted as having said the Taj was a blot on Indian culture.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That its maker -- Shahjahan -- had put his father in prison, and that he had &quot;wanted to wipe out HIndus&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-mla-sangeet-som-says-taj-creator-wanted-to-wipe-out-hindus-22478" target="_blank">WATCH: MLA Sangeet Som says Taj creator &#39;wanted to wipe out Hindus&#39;</a></p>

<p>To which the SP&#39;s Azam Khan had replied that by that logic, India&#39;s Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhavan -- built by the British -- were symbols of slavery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that they too should be demolished.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yogi&#39;s most recent comments on the Taj came after Khan&#39;s.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yogi had earlier said the Taj was not indicative of Indian culture.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taj-mahal-minarets-not-representative-of-indian-culture-yogi-adityanath-16904" target="_blank">Taj Mahal, minarets not representative of Indian culture: Yogi Adityanath</a></p>

<p>He was at the time complaining about the practice of gifting visiting foreign dignitaries replicas of the Taj.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Taj is considered one of the seven wonders of the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yogi&#39;s government seemed to spite the Taj again recently when a booklet brought out by his government&#39;s tourism department left out the Taj from a list of the state&#39;s tourist spots.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/taj-mahal-not-on-list-of-up-tourist-spots-20914" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Taj Mahal not on list of UP tourist spots</a></p>

<p>ANI also reported Yogi as saying he would be visiting Agra on October 25, and that while there he would visit the Taj.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are organizing a special event on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Diwali?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Diwali</a> in Ayodhya, it will be a world class event: Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh CM <a href="https://t.co/P3JPgjNj1K">pic.twitter.com/P3JPgjNj1K</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/920187513473458176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yogi-government-plans-tp-build-100-m-tall-statue-of-lord-ram-in-ayodhya-21204" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Yogi government plans 100-mt-tall Lord Ram statue in Ayodhya</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Uttar Pradesh chief minister added that the Taj was 'very important for us, especially from tourism perspective'

Yogi Adityanath has said it does not matter who built the Taj Mahal, or why it was built. But that it was built with the blood and sweat of Indian labourers. It does not matter who built it and for what reason; it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers: UP CM Yogi Adityanath #TajMahal pic.twitter.com/KSFU56KIRz — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 17, 2017 × It is very imp for us, especially from tourism perspective it is our priority to provide facilities & safety to tourists there: CM #TajMahal pic.twitter.com/exOCYL0YgD — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 17, 2017 × "It does not matter who built it and for what reason; it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers," ANI quoted him as saying. He did however add that the Taj was "very important for us, especially from tourism perspective". The controvery had been brewed yesterday by BJP MLA Sangeet Som when he was quoted as having said the Taj was a blot on Indian culture. That its maker -- Shahjahan -- had put his father in prison, and that he had "wanted to wipe out HIndus". WATCH: MLA Sangeet Som says Taj creator 'wanted to wipe out Hindus' To which the SP's Azam Khan had replied that by that logic, India's Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhavan -- built by the British -- were symbols of slavery. And that they too should be demolished. Yogi's most recent comments on the Taj came after Khan's. Yogi had earlier said the Taj was not indicative of Indian culture. Taj Mahal, minarets not representative of Indian culture: Yogi Adityanath He was at the time complaining about the practice of gifting visiting foreign dignitaries replicas of the Taj. The Taj is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Yogi's government seemed to spite the Taj again recently when a booklet brought out by his government's tourism department left out the Taj from a list of the state's tourist spots. Also read: Taj Mahal not on list of UP tourist spots ANI also reported Yogi as saying he would be visiting Agra on October 25, and that while there he would visit the Taj. We are organizing a special event on #Diwali in Ayodhya, it will be a world class event: Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh CM pic.twitter.com/P3JPgjNj1K — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 17, 2017 × Also read: Yogi government plans 100-mt-tall Lord Ram statue in Ayodhya

Yogi on Taj Mahal: Does not matter who built it & why, was built by blood & sweat of Indian labourers

<p>As President Pranab Mukherjee&#39;s term is nearing its completion, one question that everybody is asking - who will make it to the Rashtrapati Bhavan?</p>

<p>WION takes a look at some of the names that could emerge as candidates in the Presidential elections slated for next month.</p>

<p><strong>Gopalkrishna Gandhi</strong></p>

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<p>The former diplomat and Governor of West Bengal could become the consensus candidate for a united opposition. (Image source: Wikipedia) (Others)</p>
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<p>Gopalkrishna Gandhi&#39;s name came up&nbsp;after CPI (M) general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, confirmed that he had spoken to him. Gopalkrishna Gandhi who is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi has been a diplomat and served as the Governor of West Bengal. He is someone who could provide a strong pivot for an opposition unity. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Meira Kumar</strong></p>

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<p>The former Speaker of the Lok Sabha is one of the many names that are doing the rounds as opposition&#39;s candidate for the presidential elections. (Image source Wikimedia Commons) (Others)</p>
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<p>The name of the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha is also doing the rounds as a possible opposition candidate. Meira Kumar is the daughter of Congress stalwart Jagjivan Ram. The opposition could make her a consensus candidate if Draupadi Murmu, who is the Jharkhand Governor and whose name is also doing the rounds as the ruling NDA&#39;s candidate, emerges as front-runner in the Presidential elections.</p>

<p><strong>Sharad Yadav</strong></p>

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<p>Socialist leader and former president of the JD(U) Sharad Yadav&#39;s name is also in contention for the top job. (Image source: Wikipedia) (Others)</p>
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<p>The socialist leader and former president of the Janta Dal (United) has emerged as one of the leaders the opposition could zero in as a consensus candidate. He is someone who comes with long experience as a parliamentarian. He is someone who has been vocal in his criticism of the BJP government at the Centre. But lack of support from his own party could hamper his chances as Nitish Kumar had proposed the name of the incumbent, Pranab Mukherjee, as opposition&#39;s choice for the President.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Draupadi Murmu</strong></p>

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<p>The Jharkhand Governor comes from a tribal community in Odisha and is seen as a strong contender for the President&#39;s position. (Zee News Network)</p>
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<p>The Jharkhand governor&nbsp;has emerged as a strong candidate in the upcoming presidential election. She comes from the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. She belongs to a tribal community. With the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) keen on winning the Odisha assembly elections, she is being seen as a front-runner at the moment. Moreover, she is someone who would be difficult to oppose for the opposition. She has also&nbsp;served as a legislator in the Odisha Assembly&nbsp;twice.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Lal Krishna Advani</strong></p>

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<p>LK Advani&#39;s name is doing the rounds as the ruling NDA&#39;s presidential candidate. (Image source: Wikimedia) (Others)</p>
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<p>The BJP stalwart and a member of BJP&#39;s &#39;Margdarshak&#39;&nbsp;committee could figure as the NDA candidate for the presidential elections. But the Supreme Court&#39;s directive to the lower court to wrap up the proceedings against Advani and others in the Babri Masjid demolition in two years is hanging like a sword over his candidature. Moreover, the fact that he has been sidelined within the party as he and other senior BJP leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi have been accommodated in the &#39;Margdarshak&#39;&nbsp;committee, which was constituted to provide guidance to the party, effectively puts an end to his candidature.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


As the date for Presidential elections comes closer, opposition parties are hunting for a candidate that could give a tough fight to the ruling party's candidate

As President Pranab Mukherjee's term is nearing its completion, one question that everybody is asking - who will make it to the Rashtrapati Bhavan? WION takes a look at some of the names that could emerge as candidates in the Presidential elections slated for next month. Gopalkrishna Gandhi The former diplomat and Governor of West Bengal could become the consensus candidate for a united opposition. (Image source: Wikipedia) (Others) × Gopalkrishna Gandhi's name came up after CPI (M) general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, confirmed that he had spoken to him. Gopalkrishna Gandhi who is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi has been a diplomat and served as the Governor of West Bengal. He is someone who could provide a strong pivot for an opposition unity. Meira Kumar The former Speaker of the Lok Sabha is one of the many names that are doing the rounds as opposition's candidate for the presidential elections. (Image source Wikimedia Commons) (Others) × The name of the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha is also doing the rounds as a possible opposition candidate. Meira Kumar is the daughter of Congress stalwart Jagjivan Ram. The opposition could make her a consensus candidate if Draupadi Murmu, who is the Jharkhand Governor and whose name is also doing the rounds as the ruling NDA's candidate, emerges as front-runner in the Presidential elections. Sharad Yadav Socialist leader and former president of the JD(U) Sharad Yadav's name is also in contention for the top job. (Image source: Wikipedia) (Others) × The socialist leader and former president of the Janta Dal (United) has emerged as one of the leaders the opposition could zero in as a consensus candidate. He is someone who comes with long experience as a parliamentarian. He is someone who has been vocal in his criticism of the BJP government at the Centre. But lack of support from his own party could hamper his chances as Nitish Kumar had proposed the name of the incumbent, Pranab Mukherjee, as opposition's choice for the President. Draupadi Murmu The Jharkhand Governor comes from a tribal community in Odisha and is seen as a strong contender for the President's position. (Zee News Network) × The Jharkhand governor has emerged as a strong candidate in the upcoming presidential election. She comes from the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. She belongs to a tribal community. With the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) keen on winning the Odisha assembly elections, she is being seen as a front-runner at the moment. Moreover, she is someone who would be difficult to oppose for the opposition. She has also served as a legislator in the Odisha Assembly twice. Lal Krishna Advani LK Advani's name is doing the rounds as the ruling NDA's presidential candidate. (Image source: Wikimedia) (Others) × The BJP stalwart and a member of BJP's 'Margdarshak' committee could figure as the NDA candidate for the presidential elections. But the Supreme Court's directive to the lower court to wrap up the proceedings against Advani and others in the Babri Masjid demolition in two years is hanging like a sword over his candidature. Moreover, the fact that he has been sidelined within the party as he and other senior BJP leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi have been accommodated in the 'Margdarshak' committee, which was constituted to provide guidance to the party, effectively puts an end to his candidature.

Who will be India's next President? Here's a look at the contenders