This year’s Republic Day was celebrated with traditional fervour and colourful enthusiasm throughout the country. To the celebrations at Rajpath adding lustre were the 18 marching contingents of Army, three squads each of Air Force and Navy and 23 Para-military and police force contingents displaying their marching skills . The tableaux segment had six displays of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and two from Navy apart from 29 cultural presentations from states, central ministries and departments. There were 11 dance performances by school- children followed by a spectacular motorcycle display by BSF’s Jaanbaz and fly-past of Indian Air Force’s pilots. Tank Bhishma, Engineer Recce Vehicle, Satellite Communication Vehicle, Windy-505, Agni-II, Sukhoi-30 MKI and air-to-air refuelling were the highlights of this year’s parade.

The celebrations began as Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay homage to the martyrs. The President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, escorted by 46 ceremonial bodyguards on horseback, arrived alongwith the chief guest, the President of Brazil, Mr Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, in a black limousine. The Tricolour was unfurled, the national anthem played and a 21-gun salute was given to President by the gunners of 1661 Field Battery of 161 Field Regiment commanded by Maj Shivdasan M.

With solemnity, the President gave away Ashok Chakra to the family members of two soldiers killed fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir. Paratrooper Sanjog Chhetri was honoured for killing three terrorists before he died of gunshot wounds in Hill Kaka. Lt Triveni Singh was honoured for exemplary courage in killing two terrorists who had targeted Jammu Railway Station in the month of January.

This year the parade was commanded by Maj Gen Thomas Mathew, GOC Delhi Area. He was followed by Brig SP Rai, Deputy GOC, Delhi Area. After that, the proud winners of Param Veer Chakra and Ashok Chakra came in the of front saluting dais. The mounted column of 61 Cavalry approached the saluting dais with the cavalry brigade tune. The column was commanded by Lt Rohit Dagar. The 61 Cavalry is the only surviving horse cavalry in the world. Next was the Army Service Corps horse mounted contingent commanded by Capt Sangram Singh Rathore. ASC is the oldest and the largest logistic service corps which was formed in 1760.

T-90 S tank ‘Bhishma’, T-72 tank ‘Ajeya and main battle tank Arjun were the centre of attraction in this year’s parade. Next came the 155 mm Field Howitzer 77B gun drawn from 253 Medium Regiment.

Next in line were the mechanised columns of Prithvi and Agni-II missile, Tanguska air defence system, Reporter Radar, Engineer Recce Vehicle (ECV), Full width Mine Plough (FWMP), Transportable Satellite Communica-tion Vehicle (TSCV), Windy-505 and Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-II. This was the first time that Agni-II intermediate range ballistic missile was displayed as part of Army and not of DRDO as in previous years. Also, ECV, TSCV and Windy505 were showcased for the first time. Windy 505 is the recce and combat support vehicle laced with modern deadly weapons and navigational systems of the Corps of EME. Designed and developed at technical hub centre, 505 Army Base Workshop, this automative wonder will act as force multiplier for the defence forces. TSCV is the mobile satellite terminal fielded by the Corps of Signals for the first time. This latest acquisition is best for establishing real time communication during disaster as well as in inhospitable terrain.

Later, 12 Army Contingent and 6 joint bands came in front of saluting dais. Marching contingents were from Bombay Engineer Group, Madras Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, Rajput Regiment, Sikh Light Infantry Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Kumaon Regiment, Assam Regiment, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment, 11 Gorkha Rifles, 115 Infantry Battalion (TA) Mahar and Rajputana Rifles. The bands were drawn from Bombay Engineering Group, Armoured Corps School and Centre, Artillery Centre, Nasik, Rajput Regimental Centre, Sikh Light Infantry Regimental Centre, Brigade of the Guards, Kumaon Regiment, Air Defence Artillery, JAK Rifles Regimental Centre, 14 Gorkha Training Centre, ASC Centre and College and 3 EME Centre.

Quick to follow were the Navy and Air Force marching contingents and Band. This was the first time that Air Force personnel wore the new ceremonial uniform in which tunic replaced full sleeve sky blue shirt. Naval tableau depicted INS Talwar and INS Viraat while Air Force displayed ‘Lakshya’, the pilotless target aircraft, OSA AK-M combat vehicle and Indra-II radar. DRDO presented the variety of equipment like multi-barrel rocket launcher Pinaka, Samyukta communication system, the short range single-stage ballistic missile Agni-I with a range capability of 700 km, third generation anti-tank missile system ‘Nag’, medium range air defence system ‘Akash’ with multi-target capability of 25 kms and Brahmos missile. The missile is called Brahmastra for defence forces. Ex-servicemen marching contingent and mass pipes and drums also drew the attention of spectators.

In the section of para-military and other auxiliary civil forces contingents and bands - Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Special Service Bureau (SSB) Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Delhi Police, Home Guard, NCC and NSS— took part in this year’s parade. Delhi Fire Service’s Disaster Management Equipment displayed the Hazmat-cum-emergency van. This unit is the first of its kind in the country equipped with all the latest gadgets including chemical monitoring equipment, chemical gas leak sealing kit, chemical neutralising agents, hydraulic rescue tools, ultra high pressure pumps and aerial ladder platform.

The tableaux of central ministries focused on recent developments in various fields. The presentation from the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Health focused on education, opportunities and greater care for girl child, the one from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports portrayed progress in sports. The participation of top sportspersons like Anju Bobby George, Dhanraj Pillay, K.M. Beenamol, Anjali Bhagwat, Karnam Malleswari and Gagan Ajit Singh and others in the parade came as a pleasant surprise for youngsters.

There was a thunderous applause when brave children came atop caparisoned elephants. This year 26 children were given awards for their bravery. Next was a spectacular motorcycle display by the BSF’s Jaanbaz. The rhythm of the show culminated to a crescendo when one MI-26, two MI-17 and two MI-35 attack helicopters in an Arrowhead formation flew past, followed by an IL-76, two AN-32 and two Dorniers in the ‘Big Boy’ formation.

For the first time, air-to-air refuelling was seen over Rajpath as an IL-78 and two SU-30 MKIs took part in the manoeuvre. Then five Jaguars in the Arrowhead formation flew in at supersonic speed. As a fitting finale, an SU-30K aircraft, accompanied by two MiG-29 fighters, performed a three-and-a-half-spin Vertical Charlie before disappearing into the sky. The release of colourful balloons marked the end of the celebrations at Rajpath.