NEW
DELHI: India is celebrating its 68th Republic Day today, marking the
anniversary of the day the country's Constitution was adopted in 1950, with the
customary grand parade in the national capital and several other events.
India's military strength and culture will be on display on colourful
floats as a part of the annual parade at Rajpath in the heart of Delhi today. A
tight security cover has been enforced in the capital and other parts of the
country amid threats of terror attacks by groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the chief guest of honour at
this year's Republic Day parade. A contingent of the UAE armed forces will
march with the Indian armed forces at the Republic Day parade in Delhi. The
Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, artistes and performers from across the country
participate will also take part in parades in several parts of the country.
According to the
weather office, the national capital may get moderate rains on Republic Day.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi will experience
low day-time temperature along with moderate rains.
President Pranab
Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders greeted the nation on
the Republic Day occasion. In his televised address to the nation on the eve of Republic
Day, President Mukherjee hailed India's pluralism
and diversity and said that the country has traditionally celebrated the
argumentative" Indian; not the "intolerant" Indian. The
President will also present bravery and other awards, including those to
officers and soldiers who carried out the surgical strikes against staging
areas for terrorists in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir last year.
Light rains and overcast skies failed
to dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of spectators who witnessed the
nearly one-and-half hour-long parade that marched down the majestic
Rajpath, India's ceremonial boulevard, amid unprecedented security cover. A major highlight of the parade was
149-member marching contingent from UAE comprising personnel from Presidential
Guards, the Air Force, the Navy and Army. They were led by a band comprising 35
musicians from that country.
Al Nahyan, also Deputy Supreme
Commander of the UAE armed forces, was seated next to Prime Minister Narendra
Modi who wore a pink color 'safa' (turban). The two leaders were seen sharing
some light moments. For the first time a contingent of the
National Security Guard (NSG), popularly known as the Black Cat Commandos, was
part of the march past. The parade also saw the fly-past of three LCA Tejas
Aircraft flying at a height of 300 metres in 'Vic' formation and the Airborne
Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) developed by DRDO.
The Indian Army's missile firing
capability T-90 'Bhishma' tank, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2K, Mobile
Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System, Weapon Locating Raddar
'Swathi' and Akash Weapons System and Dhanush Gun System were among the main
draw in the mechanised columns. Alongside the Crown Prince, the
ceremonial parade was watched by Vice President Hamid Ansari, former Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and the country's top
political and military brass, besides the diplomatic community.
Tableaux from 17 states and Union
Territories and six central ministries and departments showcased the varied
historical, art and cultural heritage of the country. Goods and Services Tax
(GST) was the theme of the tableau of Central Board of Excise and Customs. 21 of
the 25 children who won the National Bravery Award also participated in the
parade. Four children have received the award posthumously.
The grand finale of the parade was a
spectacular flypast by the Indian Air Force which displayed various formations
like 'Chakra' and 'Vic' leaving the spectators spell-bound. The 'Hercules'
formation comprising three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft also drew loud
cheers.
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