India celebrated its 67th Republic Day with a grand display of its military might and achievements in different fields, state-of-the-art defence, diverse cultural and social traditions and the government's emphasis on self-reliance.
For the first time in the history of India’s Republic Day Parade, a 76-member French Army contingent led by a French military band consisting 48 musicians marching on Rajpath presented a ceremonial salute to the President of India. The French Army contingent was led by Lt Col Paul Bury. French President Francois Hollande who was the chief guest at the parade watched and clapped seated next to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Another first, after a gap of 26 years, was the march by an Army dog squad drawn from the Remount Veterinary Corps along with their handlers. Sticking to the 66-year-old tradition, the colourful Border Security Force regiment consisting of 56 camels also marched down the Rajpath. For the first time, the parade also witnessed an ex-servicemen tableau where army veterans showcased their role in nation building.
Among the weapons on display were the army's missile firing capability T-90 Bhishma tank, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP II (Sarath), Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System, Akash weapon system, Smerch Launcher Vehicles and Integrated Communication Electronic Warfare System.
An Indian Air Force tableau, themed 'Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations by IAF: In Service of the Nation and Beyond' showcased models of C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules and MI-17V5 aircraft, emphasising its use in the IAF's recent rescue and relief operations in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Yemen and Nepal.
The Indian Navy's tableau displayed flight deck operations on the new aircraft carrier Vikrant, under construction at the Kochi shipyard, and the indigenously constructed submarine Kalvari by Mazagaon Dock, Mumbai, having a Made in India tag on them.
There was a scintillating display of folk and classical dances and performances by school children from Delhi and other parts of India. One of the highlights of the two-hour event at Rajpath was the stunts by daredevils belonging to the Army Signal Corps as they made various formations on motorbikes.
The parade ended with flypasts and stunts over Rajpath by Jaguars and other aircraft, though low visibility due to fog made it difficult for thousands of cheering spectators below to enjoy the display. The celebrations begin at the Amar Jawan Jyoti where Prime Minister Modi led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the memorial.
A spectacular flypast by the IAF commenced with the ‘Chakra’ formation, comprising three Mi-35 helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation, followed by the ‘Hercules’ formation comprising three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in ‘Vic’ formation. A breath-taking ‘Trishul’ formation comprising three Su-30 MKI of No. 24 Squadron flew over the Rajpath, and once in front of the saluting dais. Trailing them was the ‘Globe formation’ comprising one C-17 Globemaster flanked by two Su-30s, followed by the fighters, where five Jaguars flew in Arrowhead formation, another five MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighters called the ‘Tridents’ flew in Fulcrum style.
The motorcycle display team of Corps of Signals was a major attraction of the parade. They performed different stunts like ‘Salute to President’, ‘Signal Rocket’, ‘Signal Fighter’, ‘Abhimanyu’, ‘Shradhanjali’, ‘Commando’, ‘Lotus formation’, and ‘Human Pyramid’, etc. on moving motor cycles.
Twenty three of the twenty five children selected for the National Bravery Award–2015 participated in the parade. Two children got the award posthumously. In the children’s pageant section, about 500 boys and girls drawn from five schools in Delhi and a group of school children from South Central Zone Cultural Centre performed colourful dances.
The Gujarat tableau depicted some rare and exotic varieties along with Sidi community, settled in the Gir forest, performing their traditional dance. The only natural abode of Asiatic lions at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is a distinct identity of Gujarat.
