New Delhi, Jun 26: A kaleidoscopic view of the country’s rich cultural heritage and military prowess were on display at the 64th Republic Day parade on Saturday on the 8-km stretch from Rajpath to Red Fort.
An eager audience on both sides of the imposing Rajpath braved the winter chill and cheered loudly as the parade went past them portraying the rich and diverse culture of the country.
The icing on the cake was the 5,500-5,800 km ballistic Agni-V missile mounted on a road mobile launcher, which was paraded by the Defence Research & Development Organisation as the crowd lapped it up with loud cheer.
General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Lt. General Subroto Mitra led the synchronised military and police contingents, as they marched to the cheerful tunes of bands through Rajpath, where President Pranab Mukherjee took the salute for the first time after assuming office in July last year.
The impressive march-past was watched by chief guest, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and top political and military brass.
Police and other paramilitary forces turned Delhi into a virtual fortress for the Republic Day celebrations, as helicopters scanned from air, snipers kept a hawk eye vigil from rooftops and armed personnel at every nook and corner provided a ground-to-air security apparatus.
After the customary 21-gun salute and unfurling of the tricolour by President Mukherjee, the spectacle began with four Army helicopters flying above Rajpath carrying the national flag and the three flags of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The country showed its military strength with the MBT Arjun Tank, Armoured Ambulance Tracked Vehicle, BrahMos missiles and 214 mm Pinaka rockets, 15 metre Sarvatra Bridging System.
The Army contingent from horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, Mechanised Infantry Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry, Dogra Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Ladakh Scouts, 8 Gorkha Training Centre, Army Ordnance Corps and Territorial Army (Punjab) marched to the martial tunes.
The next to follow were smartly-dressed Navy personnel and then the Air Force contingent. The Air Force contingent was led by Flight Lieutenant Heena Pore.
A mini version of INS Vikramaditya, which will join the naval fleet by the end of this year, was also part of the parade, which highlighted Indian Navy’s blue water operating capability.
As the country’s armed and police forces demonstrated their might, States and different departments put up an impressive show when they showcased their rich cultural diversity in full display in 19 tableaux — 14 from States and five from ministries.
This year, the number of tableaux has been reduced to 19 from last year’s 23. (Courtsey: Ganashakti)