Rich heritage colours India's 63rd Republic Day

IT was a grand day to remember. January 26 marked a celebration of India in all its diversity, complexities and colour. The date signifies the day when India's constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, completing the country's transition toward becoming an independent republic.

The country's 63rd Republic Day unfolded yesterday with a grand pageant showcasing a resurgent India's military power and culture kaleidoscope and also millions of tricolours hoisted across the country in ceremonies big and small. Saffron, white and green were the colours of the day at New Delhi and all over India.

As Thailand's first woman Prime Minister Yinluck Shinawatra, the guest of honour, watched along with Indian president Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries, the spectacle began with the uniformed men and women of armed and paramilitary forces marching down the famous boulevard. It was then followed by an impressive display of armour and unmanned aerial vehicles.

There were camels and horses, the showcasing of India's advanced arsenal, including India's latest nuclear-capable strategic missile Agni-IV displayed for the first time, elaborate tableaux from states and ministries and schoolchildren dancing down the road.

The early morning chill did not deter people along the 8-km-parade route as they gathered on both sides of the majestic Rajpath, India's ceremonial boulevard facing the Raisina Hills, and cheered the contingents as they went past portraying the diverse culture of the country.

Flight Lieutenant Sneha Shekhawat from Sikar in Rajasthan created history when she become the first woman to led the 144-strong Indian Air Force contingent. She was cheered by thousands of spectators as the commentator mentioned that she is the first woman to lead an Air Force contingent in the 63-year-old history of the parade.

As the sun shone brightly and crowds squinted to look up at the blue skies, the flypast began with intricate aerial manoeuvres. The Indian Air Force's (IAF) latest acquisition, the US Lockheed Martin C-130J transporter, made its debut. The highlight of the parade was the vertical "Charlie" manoeuvre by a lone Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole combat aircraft.

Petals were showered on the people below as the parade drew to a close.

Police and other para-military forces turned New Delhi into a virtual fortress for the Republic Day celebrations as helicopters scanned from air, snipers kept a hawkeye vigil from rooftops and armed personnel at every nook and corner provided a ground-to-air security apparatus.

Minutes before the parade began, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, defence minister A K Antony and chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force laid wreaths at "Amar Jawan Jyoti", an eternal flame in the memory of those who laid down their lives while defending the nation.

After the customary 21-gun salute and unfurling of the national tricolour, President Patil presented Ashok Chakra the highest peacetime gallantry award posthumously to Lieutenant Navdeep Singh who died foiling an infiltration attempt by Pakistan-based terrorists along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides the grand parade in New Delhi, other states in India saw their own, smaller versions of the event with chief ministers and governors presiding over the functions. The national anthem was sung with passion, patriotic songs from films were the order of the day, and tricoloured sandwiches eaten.Agencies