Prime Minister will be absent in the Republic day parade

New Delhi, Jan 23 (ANI): For the first time in the 60 odd years since Indian independence, a Prime Minister will miss the Republic day parade.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will miss the special occasion for undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft surgery on Jan 24, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Singh is admitted in the hospital, where an angiography-X-ray examination of the blood vessels was conducted on him. He also underwent several blood chemistry tests, CT scan and ECG, which have affirmed arterial blockages in the heart.

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister was given an overall medical check-up including "diagnostic evaluation" and other recommended treatment procedures.

Doctors from AIIMS and Asian heart institute cleared that his medical situation is not that grave and there is no medical emergency.

The 76-year-old Singh has been following a strict schedule of brisk walking and regular medicines.

He has also faced cardiac bypass surgery in 1990 and angioplasty in 2004.

Pranab Mukherjee is likely to attend Republic day parade in Manmohan Singh's absence. (ANI)