The nation's military might was at its most awe-inspiring display at the 70th Republic Day Parade on Saturday. 'Her'story was also created as women contingents from the Army, Navy and Air Force marched down Rajpath for the first time, signalling that times have changed. Technological advances such as use of bio-fuel for aircraft were also presented for the first time.
Another first was the presence of veterans from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) — nonagenarians Parmanand Yadav, Lalti Ram, Hira Singh and Bhagmal.
Seated next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this year's chief guest South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, was seen keeping a keen eye on every contingent and discussing its details with the Prime Minister.
A few seats away, in a rare show of camaraderie that piqued the interest of onlookers, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were seen locked in deep conversation. The duo was seated only three chairs away from BJP president Amit Shah. Gandhi's fourth-row seat last year had sparked sharp criticism from his party.
The world's only active serving horse cavalry regiment, the 61 Cavalry, was the first to trot down Rajpath, followed by the main battle tank of the Indian Army, T-90 Bhishma.
The Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) Ballway Machine Pikate (BMP-II/IIK), Surface Mine Clearing System (SMCS), K-9 Vajra-T, M 777 A2 Ultra Light Howitzer (ULH), Transportable Satellite Terminal (TST), Akash weapon system, were the main draw in mechanised columns.
The Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) represented the Make in India sentiment. The system can bring down air-borne missiles.
The other marching contingents of the Army included the Madras Regiment, the Rajputana Rifles, the Sikh Regiment, the Gorkha Brigade, the Army Service Corps, the 102 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Punjab, followed by the Veterans' Tableau.
The Air Force Marching Contingent also focussed on Make In India and showcased scaled-down models of aircraft, radar and missile systems that are designed and manufactured indigenously — Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Low-Level Light Weight Radar (LLLWR), Sukhoi-30MKI and Akash Missile System.
However, it was the women power that attracted more eyes, as this was for the first time that an all-women contingent marched on the Rajpath.
Assam Rifles' left by Major Khushboo Kanwar, created history by marching down Rajpath for the first time.
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