India's Military prowess on display at the 64th Republic Day parade

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Published on January 27, 2013 5:09:33 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGeTVamZvLw

Duration: 2:26

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A grand parade displaying the country's military might and rich cultural diversity was the highlight of India's 64th Republic Day celebrations which began with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paying homage 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 monument by Defence Minister A K Antony.

As the prime minister laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti eternal flame, an honour guard reversed arms and the buglers sounded the Last Post, after which two minutes silence was observed.

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.

President Pranab Mukherjee unfurled the national flag and took the salute of marching contingents at Rajapath.

A kaleidoscopic view of the country's rich cultural heritage and military prowess were on display at the 64th Republic Day parade on the 8km stretch from Rajpath to Red Fort.

An eager audience on both sides of the imposing Rajpath, the country's ceremonial boulevard facing the seat of power Raisina Hills, braved the winter chill and cheered loudly as the parade went past them portraying the rich and diverse culture of the country.

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.

General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Lt General Subroto Mitra led the synchronised military and police contingents as they marched to the cheerful tunes of bands through the 2-km Rajpath where President Pranab Mukherjee, also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, took the salute for the first time after assuming office in July last year.

MBT Arjun Tank, Armoured Ambulance Tracked Vehicle, BrahMos missiles, 214 mm Pinaka rockets, and 15 Metre Sarvatra Bridging System were on display.

The army contingent from horse-mounted columns of 61st Cavalry, Mechanised Infantry Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry, Dogra Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Ladakh Scouts, 8 Gorkha Training Centre, Army Ordnance Core and Territorial Army in Punjab, marched to martial tunes.

The next to follow were smartly-dressed Navy personnel and then Air Force contingent.

The Air Force contingent was led by Flight Lieutenant Heena Pore.

A mini version of INS Vikramaditya which will join the Naval fleet by the end of this year was also part of the parade which highlighted Indian Navy's blue water operating capability.

The DRDO displayed the Armoured Amphibious Dozer AAD, an indigenously developed versatile Combat Engineer support equipment with excellent earth moving and amphibious capabilities in varied terrain.

Airborne Early Warning and Control System and Naval Sonar were also displayed.

The impressive march-past was watched by chief guest, Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, vice president Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, defence minister AK Antony, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and top political and military brass.

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

The country's cultural diversity was on display in the tableaux of various states and government organisations.

Following the tableaus, 22 young brave hearts who won national bravery awards drove through Rajpath in gypsies to a huge applause

The clear sky also helped people enjoy the flypast during the parade as the Indian Air Force helicopters and fighter jets showcased India's air power.