The Hindu : New Delhi News : Rich and vibrant culture of the nation on display

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Saturday, Jan 27, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Rich and vibrant culture of the nation on display

Staff Reporter

Homage to the valour of men in uniform

IN SYNC: The Delhi Police contingent marching past during the Republic Day parade in the Capital on Friday. Photo: V.V. Krishnan

NEW DELHI: The military might and the rich and vibrant cultural heritage of the nation were on display at the 58th Republic Day parade that rolled down Rajpath on Friday. The parade started at Amar Jawan Jyoti — the eternal flame to commemorate the valour of the men in uniform — at India Gate, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid a wreath and led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs.

Later, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at Rajpath, escorted by 46 President's Bodyguards — the oldest and senior-most regiment of the Indian Army — on bay coloured mounts.

The unfurling of the national flag by Mr. Kalam was followed by the playing of the National Anthem by military bands. As personnel of the 166 Field Regiment presented the 21-gun salute and an Advanced Light Helicopter and three Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force showered flower petals, the large crowd erupted into loud applause.

Dr. Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani and Union Ministers were among those present.

The 105-minute-long parade was commanded by General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, Maj. Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj, while Brigadier H.P.S. Dhillon was the second-in-command. The Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees were at the head of the parade. The Army was represented by mounted column of 61 Cavalry led by Capt. Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, grandson of the Sultan of Johor in Malaysia.

Mechanised columns of T-72 M1 Ajeya tanks, BMP-II vehicles fitted with Thermal Imaging Stand Alone Sights, Tactical Control Reporter Radar, Mobile Decontamination Station, Indigenous PMS Bridge Vehicle, Mobile Base Transceiver Station, Transportable Army Wide Area Network and the Advanced Light Helicopter `Dhruv' were showcased by the Army.

The impeccably dressed Parachute regiment — the first among the eight contingents of the Army — marched to the tune of their regimental song "Kadam Kadam Badaye Ja."

If the Army showcased two tableaux on Remount and Veterinary Corps and Military World Games — to be hosted by India later this year — the Navy presented a float on Networking for Efficiency and Combat Power. Through a revolving globe, it depicted its new acquisitions, INS Talwar, IL-38 aircraft and Scorpene submarine linked through a network.

A 148-member Indian Air Force contingent then marched down followed by vehicular columns of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Indra PC-II Radar. The magnificent equipment columns of the Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) gave an insight into India's military might as supersonic cruise missile Brahmos, cost-effective `Ex Tank,' supersonic missile Akash and Bridge Laying Tank on Arjun were showcased at the parade. Dressed in their ceremonial uniform, contingents of paramilitary and other auxiliary civil forces, including the Border Security Force, the Assam Rifles, the Coast Guard, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and the Railway Protection Force along with their music bands marched down Rajpath.

The little heroes — winners of the National Bravery Award 2006 — came riding on caparisoned elephants waving to the crowds. Twenty-four children — 12 boys and as many girls — were honoured for their exceptional courage and presence of mind.

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