New Delhi: In a multi-faceted majestic display of its might, India on Sunday celebrated its 65th Republic Day portraying its rich culture, achievements in diverse fields and the military prowess at the parade at Rajpath.
Marching down from the President House at Raisina Hills to the Red Fort, the parade showcased India's 'unity in diversity' and defence capability as thousands of onlookers gazed at the 8-km-long route covered by the participants.
The parade was commenced by General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Lt General Subroto Mitra leading the synchronised military and police contingents. As the contingents
President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Pranab Mukherjee took the salute of the contingents as they marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through Rajpath.
Chief guest of the parade Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived along with the President at the saluting base at Rajpath escorted by the President's bodyguards riding bedecked horses. Other dignitories who were present to witness the parade were Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the country's top political and military brass, besides the diplomatic community. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who had raised questions over the significance of the Republic Day parade, too, was seen sitting among the spectators.
Despite the bitter cold, a large number of enthusiastic people came to witness the parade that commenced from the Raisina Hills and culminated at the Red Fort.
Before arriving at the saluting dais at the Rajpath, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force laid wreaths at the 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' to pay homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives defending the frontiers of the nation.
The parade began with the unfurling of the tricolour by the President and the playing of the national anthem. It was followed by a customary 21-gun salute.
Sub Inspector K Prasad Babu of Andhra Pradesh's counter-Maoist force was posthumously awarded the highest peacetime gallantry award Ashok Chakra for an anti-Naxal operation during which he led an assault unit of Greyhounds (anti-Naxal force of Andhra Pradesh) near Andhra-Chhattisgarh border.
A highlight of this year's parade was the display of India's first indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. Tejas is a fourth generation, supersonic, multi-role combat aircraft designed and developed by DRDO. Main battle tank Arjun MK-II, the first indigenously designed and developed tank, also referred to as 'Desert Ferrari' for its excellent mobility, was also put on display.
The recently inducted transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules, which is optimised for undertaking special operations, and the gigantic C-17 Globemaster, a heavy lift, long-range aircraft, were major attractions of this year's flypast.
DRDO displayed the 'Astra' and 'Helina' missiles, models of an underwater vehicle, mini UAV-NETRA, tracked surveillance vehicle Muntra S and unmanned aerial vehicle-'Nishant'. The weaponry put on display by the Indian Army included T-90 tank 'Bheeshma', multi-launcher rocket system Smerch, Brahmos weapon system and transportable satellite terminals.
The main attractions of the parade was the scintillating show of air power, fascinating tableaus depicting the diverse culture and dance by colourfully dressed schoolchildren.
A flypast by the Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' of the Army Aviation Corps drew loud cheers from the spectators. The marching contingents of the army included horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, the Parachute Regiment,
Punjab Regiment, Madras Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Mahar Regiment, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, 9 Gorkha Rifles and 103 Infantry Battalion.
The Indian Air Force tableau presented the story of its transformation over the past eight decades, highlighting its fighting prowess. Tableaus from thirteen states and five Union Ministries/Departments showcasing the splendour of Indian states and portraying themes ranging from heritage, culture, art and crafts, biotechnology, sustainable agriculture and environment.
A massive ground-to-air security apparatus was put in place in the national capital to ensure an incident-free Republic Day celebrations. Snipers of National Security Guard were deployed at all high-rises along the parade route.
Around 25,000 security personnel were deployed across the city while the commandos of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Delhi Police kept vigil at important locations.
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