India celebrates Republic Day, displays its military might and cultural diversity

New Delhi: India celebrated 68th Republic Day on Thursday and showcased its military might, cultural diversity, and achievements in various areas at a grand parade in the national capital.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the Chief Guest.

The country's main celebration took place at Rajpath here where India's Who's Who assembled to watch a 90-minute parade that also focussed on the government's Make in India initiative to boost manufacturing.

Light rains and overcast skies failed to dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of spectators who witnessed the parade that marched down the majestic Rajpath, India's ceremonial boulevard, amid unprecedented security cover.

The day began with President Pranab Mukherjee, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, unfurling the Indian flag at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tributes to the fallen soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.

Modi welcomed the President and the Chief Guest, Sheikh Mohammed, the son of the UAE's founding president.

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. A contingent of some 60 commandoes in their black overalls and full armed gear marched on the Rajpath, giving a ceremonial salute to President Pranab Mukherjee. NSG's anti-hijacking van 'Sherpa' - a bulletproof armoured vehicle that can withstand powerful explosions and can be driven underwater and on steep inclines - also made its debut in the parade.

Missed Republic Day 2017 parade? Watch the full ceremony here

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. Indigenously developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tejas, as a fourth generation aircraft, can fly at 1,350 km per hour and is comparable to the world's best fighters, including French Mirage 2000, American F-16 and Swedish Gripen.

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 Radar 'Swathi' and Akash Weapons System and Dhanush Gun System were among the main draw in the mechanised columns.

Manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory, the 155-mm Dhanush artillery gun cost about Rs 14.50 crore a piece. It is a modified version of Bofors Howitzers gun bought by India in the 1980s.

Also Read: 68th Republic Day: From Tejas, Jaguars to Sukohis – India displays its military might at Rajpath

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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The theme of IAF tableau was "Air Dominance Through Network Centric Operations" and it displayed the scaled down models of Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, AWACS, UAV, Apache and Communication Satellite.

The Indian Navy's tableau showcased the lethal Marine Commandos proceeding for action, the indigenously built Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class next-generation attack submarines. It also showcased a model of the P-8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

As per tradition, after unfurling the National Flag, the National Anthem was played followed by a 21 gun salute.

Also Read - Brave soldiers of Rashtriya Rifles awarded gallantry award for gunning down terrorist Burhan Wani

The parade was commanded by Lt General Manoj Mukund Naravane, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

The marching contingents of Army included horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, the Bihar Regiment, the 39 Gorkha Training Centre, 58 Gorkha Training Centre, the Madras Engineering Group and Centre and 103 Infantry Battalion.

The Navy contingent comprised 144 young sailors and it was led by Lieutenant Aparna Nair.

Also Read - How public greeted PM Narendra Modi as he walked down Rajpath on Republic Day - WATCH

The paramilitary and other auxiliary civil forces included the Border Security Force Camel Contingent, Indian Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme.

Tableaux from states, Union Territories, and Union ministries presented the historical, art and cultural heritage of the country.

They showcased country's progress in different fields, particularly floats from Goa, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.

In the children's pageant section, about 600 boys and girls, drawn from three schools in Delhi and a group of school children from South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, performed colourful dances on varied themes.

The splendid driving skills of 'Dare Devils' - the motorcycle display team of Corps of Military Police was a major attraction of the parade.

They performed different stunts like Salute to President, Ladder, Double Bar, Lotus, Christmas Tree, Aircraft, Sudarshan Chakra, Flower Pot, Pyramid and Wheeling on moving motorcycles.

The 'Netra', an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft also known as "Eye in the Sky" was one of the major attractions.

It was followed by the 'Globe Formation' comprising one C-17 Globemaster flanked by two Su-30 MKIs. Next in line was the fighters, where five Jaguars flew in an arrowhead formation, while five MiG-29 fighters flew in fulcrum style.

It was followed by the breathtaking 'Trishul' formation comprising three Su-30 MKIs.

The flypast concluded with another Su-30 MKI carrying out a 'Vertical Charlie' manoeuvre over the saluting dais. The ceremony culminated with the national anthem and release of balloons.

Also, President Pranab Mukherjee posthumously awarded Ashok Chakra to Havildar Hangpan Dada, who was killed near in Jammu and Kashmir in May last year while fighting terrorists.

Dada's sobbing widow Chasen Lowang received from the President the highest peacetime military award given for awarded for valour, courageous action and self-sacrifice.

Alongside the Abu Dhabi 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.

A massive ground-to-air security apparatus was put in place in the national capital turning the city into virtually an impregnable fortress. Snipers of National Security Guard were deployed at all high-rises along the parade route.

The arrangements were made to ensure an incident-free Republic Day celebrations and foolproof security. As part of the multi-layered security, around 60,000 security personnel were deployed across the city.

(With Agency inputs)