India showcases military might on 57th Republic Day
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Jan 28, IRNA
India-Republic Day
The vibrant tapestry of India's military prowess woven with its economic progress and rich cultural diversity was showcased on the historic Rajpath here Thursday as the whole country celebrated the 57th Republic Day amid tight security.
President A P J Abdul Kalam took the salute of the impressive and elegant parade watched by the country's chief guest, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the entire top brass of political and military establishments.
The event commenced at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, where the prime minister led the nation in paying homage to the country's martyrs.
With the arrival of King Abdullah at the dais, the official Republic Day ceremony started with a 21-gun salute in New Delhi.
On display during the scaled-down parade were the country's military, which unveiled for the first time the American Acquired ANTPQ-37 fire-finding radars, Israeli upgraded Soltam 155m artillery guns and vehicle-mounted, short-range surface to surface Prithvi missiles in this year's Republic Day parade held amidst tight security.
The tableaux of Scorpion submarine and Bridge Layer Tank on Arjun were the other major attractions in the parade during which President A P J Abdul Kalam received salutes from marching contingents of armed forces, police and para-military forces.
Altogether 24 tableaux from different states, ministries and industries, the Agni missile-I and II, Indra PC-II Radar, Pinaka, Brahmos, performance of school children, motorcycle displays by Border Security Force daredevils and impressive fly past exhibitions by Indian Air Force planes and helicopters were some of the other highlights of the parade.
Apart from marching contingents of the Army, Air Force and Navy, contingents of the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Delhi Police also took part in the parade along with their bands.
Cultural paegents by schoolchildren enthralled the audience who flocked to watch the parade braving the early morning chill.
One of the most endearing events of Republic Day Parade came when 17 children, 5 girls and 12 boys, who all had received the prestigious National Bravery Award for 2005, rode on caparisioned elephants before cheering spectators.
About 1,500 boys and girls from schools in Delhi and outside presented colorful song and dance items highlighting the country's high cultural heritage.
The motorcycle display by the Jaanbaz of the Border Security Force was also a major attraction of the parade.
One hundred twenty-four riders and 24 silver motorcycles performed breathtaking stunts in a synchronized and synergistic display of mind, body and machine coordination.
The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular flypast by the IL-78 air-to-air refuelers and Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft in tanker formation, followed by series of Jaguar and MIG 29 fighter aircraft in arrowhead formation.
On January 26, 1950 India became a republic and a parliamentarian democracy.
The first election in India was held in 1951 with 150 million people participating.
In this year's India Republic Day ceremony, the latest achievements of the country and the nation in all fields were displayed.
The entire function was held amid high-level security, which was looked after by the Delhi Police in close coordination with other agencies.
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