India celebrates her 60th Republic Day

A kaleidoscopic of India's rich cultural diversity and the might of its military were on full display at the magnificent Rajpath here on Monday as the nation celebrated its 60th Republic Day amid an unprecedented security cover.

An impressive and colourful parade, a traditional attraction of the national event, marched down the thoroughfare connecting the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the historic India Gate as president Pratibha Patil took the salute from the marching contingents.

Armed forces in battle regalia proudly marching before their supreme commander, scintillating show of air power, fascinating tableaux depicting the diverse culture and hundreds of colourfully-dressed dancing school children were part of the parade.

The march-past was watched by the Republic Day chief guest Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev, vice president Hamid Ansari, defence minister AK Antony and the country's top political and military brass, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, besides a large enthusiastic crowd that had gathered on either sides of the Rajpath

As prime minister Manmohan Singh is recuperating from his bypass surgery in All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Antony performed all the customary duties of the prime minister during the Republic Day celebration.

Minutes before the parade began, Antony and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force laid wreaths at 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', the British-era World War-I memorial at India Gate, where an eternal flame burns in memory of those who laid down their lives while defending the nation's frontiers.

Patil and her Kazakh counterpart arrived at the Rajpath escorted by the President's bodyguards riding well-trained, impeccably-bedecked horses.

Antony received the president and the nation's guest at the saluting dais in the absence of the prime minister.

A massive ground-to-air security apparatus was put in place in the national capital to prevent any 9/11-type terror attack, which the intelligence agencies had warned of. Snipers of the National Security Guards (NSG) were deployed at all high-rises all along the parade route.

The unfurling of the tricolour by Patil and the playing of national anthem by military bands followed by a customary 21-gun salute by 299 Field Regiment.

Maharashtra Police ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte and four others killed fighting Pakistani terrorists in Mumbai were among nine security personnel who received the Ashok Chakra, the country's highest peace-time gallantry medal.

Following this, the parade began, as four Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force flew past with the national flag as well as those of the three defence services slinging below.

The first to appear in the parade were winners of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra followed by mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry by Lieutenant Colonel Navjit Singh Sandhu.

Major General KJS Oberoi, General Officer Commanding of Delhi Area of the Army, led the parade.     

The Army then showcased its impressive armoury before the nation including frontline T-90S battle tanks, indigenous Brahmos missile, OSA-AK system, the most modern and versatile air defence weapon.

The Chariot of Victory -- the state of the art infantry combat vehicle, the bullet proof vehicle Takshak Striker and the Network Operations Centre, which is capable of providing high quality information services in various terrains were also showcased.

The indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' of Army Aviation was also displayed.

Then colourfully-attired military contingents made their entry into the Rajpath.The Army contingent included personnel drawn from the Parachute Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, Rajput Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Kumaon Regiment, Jammu and Kashmir Rifled, Ladakh Scouts, and Territorial Army (Punjab).

Smartly-dressed Navy personnel came along with a tableau depicting a model of INS Jalashwa, the replenishment vessel acquired in 2007 from the US to provide India major amphibious warfare capabilities.

The naval team comprising 144 men drawn from three Commands of the Navy was led by Lt Commander Anshul Awasthi.

The IAF displayed its air power in the form of a tableau showcashing some of its recent acquisitions including 'Hawk' Advanced Jet Trainer and SU 30 MKI air superiority fighter aircraft and the indigenous Rohini 3D radar. Its tableau was modeled on the IL-76 aircraft-mounted Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) that India purchased from Israel. However, the system is yet to be inducted into the IAF.

The 148-strong IAF contingent, led by Squadron Leader Robinder Singh Zenda marched to the tunes of "Air Warrior".

The DRDO columns included Brahmos missile, advanced air defence missile, Akash surface-to-air missile and Agni-III ballistic missile.