By fachcha.com
Military might, technological advancement, awareness towards girl child and education and rich cultural heritage of India were shown at Rajpath during the 63rd Republic Day Parade. Agni-IV having 3000-kms range, Nuclear (NBC) Water Purification system, Herculesmakes Debut,Woman leads IAF Marching Contingent, brave children were some of the new attractions during the national celebration. DRDO has also put on display for the first time the 150 kms range Prahaar tactical battlefield support missile and the Rustom-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

T-72 tank, Carrier Mortar Tracked, SMERCH Multiple Launch Rocket System, Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket System, Full Width Mine Plough, Jammer Station VHF/UHF, Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, the C-130-J Super Hercules tactical aircaft, The Indian Navy`s tableau were some of the features of Indian military prowess during the parade.
Sniffing dogs were seen during the national programme when a tableau of Army’s Remount Vetenary Crops was presented over the Rajpath. Daring daredevils of BSF on motorcycle was another major annual attraction during the parade.
Earlier, parade ceremony commenced at the Amar JawanJyoti at India Gate where the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying wreath to the Armed Forces personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland. Thereafter President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil unfurled the National Flag and the National Anthem played. President posthumously conferred the Ashok Chakra on Lieutenant Navdeep Singh.

This year’s Chief Guest in the parade was YingluckShinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand. The marching contingents of Army included the horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, Parachute Regiment, Bengal Engineer Group & Centre, Brigade of the Guards, Kumaon Regiment, Assam Regiment, Mahar Regiment, Gorkha Rifles Regiment and the Corps of Military Police. The marching contingents of Navy and Air Force, Paramilitary forces, Delhi Police, NCC and NSS were other attractions apart from tableaux from various states.