India showcase its might and diversity at the Republic Day Celebrations - 201326/01/2013
A kaleidoscopic view of the country's rich cultural heritage and military prowess were on display at the 64th Republic Day parade today on the 8-km stretch from Rajpath to Red Fort.
The icing on the cake was the 5,500-5,800 km ballistic Agni-V missile mounted on a road mobile launcher which was paraded by the Defence Research & Development Organisation as the crowd lapped it up with loud cheer. India's 64th Republic Day celebrations began on January 26 with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paying homage to the unknown soldier at the India Gate war memorial in the heart of the capital. With the three service chiefs in attendance, Manmohan Singh was greeted on arrival at the World War I monument by Defence Minister AK Antony.
The Rouse was sounded and Manmohan Singh then signed the Visitor's Book before heading back to the saluting base on Rajpath to welcome Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, chief guest at the Republic Day Parade, and other VIPs. After the customary 21-gun salute and unfurling of the national tricolour by President Mukherjee, the spectacle began with four army helicopters flying above Rajpath carrying the national flag and the three flags of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The country showed its military strength with the MBT Arjun Tank, Armoured Ambulance Tracked Vehicle, BrahMos missiles and 214 mm Pinaka rockets, 15 Metre Sarvatra Bridging System. The Army contingent from horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, Mechanised Infantry Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry, Dogra Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Ladakh Scouts, 8 Gorkha Training Centre, Army Ordnance Corps and Territorial Army (Punjab) marched to the martial tunes. The next to follow were smartly-dressed Navy personnel and then the Air Force contingent. As the country's armed and police forces demonstrated their might, states and different departments put up an impressive show when they showcased their rich cultural diversity in full display in 19 tableaux -- 14 from states and five from ministries. The grand finale of the parade was the spectacular flypast by the IAF. Other things that showcased India’s might and diversity include –
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