AMN /
India’s military might, cultural diversity and economic progress were on display at Rajpath as the country celebrate its 67th Republic day today. President Pranab Mukherjee unfurled the national flag and took salute of the parade at Rajpath in the national Capital.
French President Francois Hollande attended the function as chief guest. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minster Narendra Modi, Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar were among other dignitaries present on the occasion.
During the function President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award Ashok Chakra, to Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami posthumously. His wife Bhawna Goswami received the award. On the night of 2nd September Lance Naik Goswami laid down his life while fighting LeT militants in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.
For the first time in the history of Republic Day parade, a 76-member French Army contingent took part.
Military prowess and achievements in different fields, country’s diverse cultural and social traditions were showcased during the parade. Indian Army’s missile firing capability, T-90 Bhishma tank, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP II Sarath, Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System were the main draw at the parade. Indian airforce also showed its might with 5 Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, C-17 Globemaster, three Sukhoi Su-30, 5 MiG 29 and other fighter choppers during fly past at Rajpath.
Motor cycle display team of Corps of Signals, popularly known as the Dare Devils also put a splendid show. After a gap of 26 years, army’s dog squad drawn from the Remount Veterinary Corps also took part in the parade.
For the first time, the tableau of ex-servicemen of Army veterans was also showcased in the parade. During the celebrations, the tableaux from 17 states and 6 Central Ministries and departments displayed the varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the country at Rajpath.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the battle field for the country. The heads of the three services of Indian Armed Forces also paid their homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti.
The security has been tightened in the national capital, particularly around Rajpath and the parade route. Around 50,000 security personnel, including 15,000 from the paramilitary were deployed across the city. In view of recent terror attacks in Paris and at Pathankot air base, stringent measures have been taken to avoid any untoward incident