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Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009
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An impressive show on R-Day

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Martyrs honoured, cultural diversity showcased on the Rajpath

— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

High spirits: Schoolchildren performing on the Rajpath during the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Monday.

NEW DELHI: India celebrated its 60th Republic Day, honouring the martyrs, saluting the brave and putting up an impressive show of its military might and cultural diversity on the majestic Rajpath on Monday.

President Pratibha Patil, the supreme commander of the armed forces, accepted the national salute and Defence Minister A.K. Antony stepped in for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is recuperating at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences here after a bypass surgery.

The celebrations began with Mr. Antony and the Chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force paying homage to the martyrs by laying wreaths at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.

Mr. Antony accorded the customary reception to the President and the Republic Day Parade chief guest, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Prior to the parade, the National flag was unfurled and the President’s body guard presented the national salute, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the 21 gun salute.

Indian Air Force helicopters then flew in perfect unison showering flower petals on visitors.

The parade began with the investiture ceremony for presentation of Ashok Chakras to 11 brave men who laid down their lives defending the country.

This was followed by the display of the country’s military strength. Heads held high, shoulders squared and feet marching to the beat of drums, waves and waves of contingents marched down the historic Rajpath, saluting their supreme commander.

Tanks, missiles, combat vehicles were up next. The awe-inspiring mounted columns rolled out, led by 61 Cavalry, the mechanised column followed with T-90 Tanks, BrahMos Missile and a fly-past by advanced light helicopters Dhruv.

The marching contingents led by the Parachute Regiment came next and were followed by several columns. Accompanied by their bands, these regiments put up a show of discipline and authority.

The Navy and the Air Force bands performed “Jai Bharti” and “Air Warrior.” Visitors also got to see the Defence Research and the Development Organisation vehicle and the BrahMos (Navy) system, the Indo-Russian joint venture supersonic cruise missile.

The marching contingent of World War II veterans and heroes of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force led by 85-year-old flying officer M. Shukla of the Royal Air Force, Chaklala, Rawalpindi, was given a rousing reception.

The heavily guarded event also included the marching contingents of Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and the Delhi Police, besides NCC senior division cadets along with their bands.

The 90-minute extravaganza had one departure from the norm this year. There were no caparisoned elephants to carry the 20 children who won the national bravery awards.

The cultural part of the parade began with 18 tableaux from 12 States and six Ministries. Dressed in colourful attires, children from the Remal Public School, Rohini, put up a dance performance based on the theme “Nari Shakti” (women empowerment).

Barat Dance

Artistes also showcased “Barat Dance,” a famous festival of the Tiwa community of Assam.

The motorcycle rider display team of the Corps of Signals performed complicated stunts with astonishing élan. The “Double Jimmy,” a formation of four riders on two bikes, was followed up with “Signal Colours” and “Lotus” formation with 22 dare devils on two bikes. The exhilarating moment came when 31 dare devils formed a “Human Pyramid” on nine bikes.

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