By M Rama Rao, India Editor, Asian Tribune
New Delhi, 27 January, (Asiantribune.com): (India observed its 60th Republic Day Monday with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev as the chief guest at the parade that displayed the country's cultural diversity and military might
Pratibha Patil, the first woman president, took the salute at the parade held on the majestic Rajpath between imposing Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate, both standing legacies of the colonial period that lasted more than 200-years. Another first for the celebration was the absence of the Prime Minister.
The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Chief Guest President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari and the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath Chatterjee, at the 'At Home' function, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on January 26, 2009.
As Manmohan Singh is recovering from his coronary by-pass at the Intensive Care Unit of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), defence minister AK Antony performed all the customary duties like laying wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti and receiving the dignitaries.
Initially, the Vice President Hamid Ansari was expected to stand up for the Prime Minister. But Antony was brought in as most R-day functions are a show of his defence ministry. Also, the ruling Congress sought to send a political message- that Pranab Mukherjee the External Affairs Minister is sharing the 'officiating PM's job' with Antony.
Vice President Hamid Ansari, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the country's top political and military brass watched the Parade besides a large enthusiastic crowd that had gathered on either sides of the Rajpath.
The AGNI-III (Strategic System) passes through the Rajpath during the 60th Republic Day Parade-2009, in New Delhi on January 26, 2009.
Parade got underway with the President conferring g the country's highest peace-time gallantry award, Ashok Chakra to the nine policemen who had lost their while battling terrorists in India's very own 26/11in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Police ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte and four others were decorated with the award posthumously.
Major General KJS Oberoi, General Officer Commanding of Delhi Area of the Army, led the parade. The army showcased its impressive armoury including frontline T-90S battle tanks, indigenous Brahmos missile, OSA-AK system, the most modern and versatile air defence weapon, the state of the art infantry combat vehicle, the bullet proof vehicle Takshak Striker and the Network Operations Centre, which is capable of providing high quality information services in various terrains. Also on display were the indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' of Army Aviation.
The Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony paying homage to brave soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate during the 60th Republic Day Parade-2009, in New Delhi on January 26, 2009.
In the state tableaux, Andhra Pradesh paid tributes to saint-poet Annamacharya, while other states depicted their cultural and economic diversity.
A dare devil motorcycle acrobatics by the Corps of Signals and a stupendous fly past, by Air force jets are the other highlights of the 'show' which lasted 90-minutes amidst tight security blanket.
-Asian Tribune -
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