(UNI) President Ram Nath Kovind and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met the family of the martyred Lance Naik at the `At Home` function here on Saturday.
Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani, who lost his life against terrorists in an operation in Kashmir was awarded the Ashok Chakra.at the Republic Day parade function earlier.
In a break from tradition, this year’s Chief Guest at Republic Day celebrations, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, met guests at the `At Home’ ceremony held at Mughal Gardens in Rashtrapati Bhawan under a clear sky.
Mr Ramphosa accompanied Mr Kovind and his wife as they went around and greeted invited guests.
Among those who attended President’s `At Home’ were Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Vice-President Hamid Ansari were amongst early arrivals.
Mr Modi also walked up to the guests and greeted them. He stopped by whenever he came across a recognised face.
Mr Venkaiah Naidu also went around greeting the guests.
Union Railways and Finance Minister Piyush Goyal intermingled with the guests and met journalists.
The `At Home’ was attended by several union ministers, the three service chiefs, high ranking officers and senior bureaucrats.