Smerch, Agni-IV & Sukhoi stand out in R-Day parade

Pomp and glory, solemnity and pride marked the 63rd Republic Day parade with the pageantry of the defence forces and the rich cultural diversity of the country on full display at the stately Rajpath here on Thursday.

Prior to the parade, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid tributes to the immortal warriors at the India Gate.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil arrived at the saluting base accompanied by her 46 bodyguards — magnificent men atop large, bay-coloured horses with full mane. Also being escorted was the chief guest of the day, Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The 21-gun salute soon boomed heralding the celebrations.

The parade began with four Mi-17 helicopters flying in a ‘Y' formation, only 60 metres above ground and showering flowers as they flew. The flower petals set the mood for the rest of the spectacle as light winds ensured that the odd-petal came to rest on somebody's shoulder or head every now and then.

The Ashok Chakra was awarded posthumously to Lieutenant Navdeep Singh, who died while stopping terrorists from infiltrating the Line of Control. He had killed four terrorists. Seven winners of the Ashok Chakra award and two winners of the Param Vir Chakra for similar acts of selfless courage were paraded in open jeeps.

Thereafter, it was the turn of the Army, which was led by its mounted columns, regiment in full ceremonial garb astride brown horses. The 3,000-km-range nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile, successfully flight tested in November last, stole the limelight.

The newly acquired multiple launch rocket system, ‘Smerch,' stood out among the various tanks and rocket systems showcased.

The ‘Remount Veterinary Corps' tableau showcasing the brave hearted Army dogs received “oohs” and “ahas” as the black Labradors formed themselves into a lotus position and had one white canine at the centre with its head up in ‘grand salute.'

The Navy cadets in blue marched smartly past the rapt audience.

However, the Air Force marching contingent led for the first time by a woman, Flight Lieutenant Sneha Shekhawat, immediately enthralled the audience, who resumed the clapping that had temporarily abated.

Loud claps and cheers also accompanied the other marching contingents of the paramilitary and auxiliary civil forces with the BSF camel contingent and its band, mounted on bejewelled camels getting the bigger share of cheers.

The Delhi police marching contingents with silver-edged rifles that glinted in the sun also attracted resounding applause.

Tableaux of different States and Central government ministries were followed by the courageous children who won the National Bravery Awards. In open jeeps, the children were received with loud cheers, especially from their peers.

Next were the cultural programmes from school children of different States, followed by daredevilry stunts on motorcycles. Men suspended on thin ladders and human pyramids atop moving motorcycles had children shrieking so much that the announcements on speakers were all but drowned.

However, it was the ending that took the limelight of the entire parade. “Ladies and gentlemen, turn your eyes skywards!” announced the speaker.

Up in the sky came the flypast of the Air Force that seemed to challenge the laws of gravity. The spectacle of three Su-30 MKI aircraft making a ‘Trishul' formation in the sky was surpassed only by the ‘Vertical Charlie' in which an Su-30 went up at breakneck speed before suddenly taking a vertical turn. The aircraft then started dropping down fast — appearing as if it would crash — only to become steady again and disappear into the horizon.