Obama adds verve to India's Republic Day Parade

Prime Minister Modi earlier paid tribute to the brave martyrs of India at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate and then headed for the Rajpath. Soon President Obama arrived at the venue with wife Michelle in his car Beast. The PM received him. The Indian President also arrived soon.

 

The air show at the India's 66th Republic Day is however uncertain owing to bad weather. 

 

Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh (L) of 57 Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (13 Rajputana Rifles), and Major Mukund Vardarajan of 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles were conferred the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award Ashoka Chakra posthumously. 

 

This time the security layer is unprecedented owing to the presence of Obama. There are seven layers of security with the deployment of 50,000 security personnel. 

 

Reports said  500 US Secret Service Agents are also present. 

 

On this day, the Nation's military prowess and achievements in different fields, state-of- the- art defence platforms, its diverse cultural and social traditions, and the government's emphasis on self-reliance and indigenisation is showcased before the public at the historic Rajpath.

 

The highlights of this year’s Parade will be the display of indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash medium range missile (Army version) and Weapon Locating Radar both developed by the DRDO. The recently acquired long range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine aircraft P-8I and the deadly long range advanced air fighter MiG-29 K will be seen for the first time. This year’s parade will also witness for the first time three all women marching contingents of the Army, Navy and the Air Force signifying women’s powerful role in the realm of defence. 

 

The Indian Army’s laser guided missile capability T-90 “Bheeshma” tank, infantry combat vehicle BMP II (Sarath) followed by T-72 with Trawl will be the main draw in the Mechanised Columns. These will be followed by Pinaka Multiple Barrel Launcher System. Next comes the Mobile Autonomous Launcher of BRAHMOS missile system, three dimensional tactical control radar, satellite on the move communication platform and rapidly deployable satellite terminal (RADSAT). 

 

An Indian Air Force tableau will roll down the Rajpath with the theme “50 years of 1965 War”. The IAF aircraft on display are the ones that proved their prowess in the 1965 War- the Gnat and the Vampire, followed by the Canberra bomber, MI-4 helicopter and Packet transport aircraft. 

 

As per tradition, after unfurling of the National Flag, the National Anthem is played with 21 gun salute. 

 

The parade  then commences and the President takes the salute.  

 

The parade is commanded by Lt. General Subroto Mitra, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. Major General Abhay Krishna, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area will be the parade Second-in-Command. 

 

 Tableaux from 16 States and 09 Central Ministries and Departments will present the varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the country. They will also showcase country’s progress in different fields, particularly floats from Women and Child Development Ministry depicting “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”, Sikkim’s contribution to the national economy through its large Cardamom Cultivation and tableau on Bhagoria tribal festival of Madhya Pradesh which will be of special attraction. 

 

The ceremony will culminate with the National Anthem and release of balloons.