New Delhi: India celebrated its 69th Republic Day on Friday with a record 10 heads of state, from ASEAN or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, watching the grand parade with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajpath, the ceremonial road in the heart of Delhi. The leaders, sporting crimson Indian scarves, sat on a 100-foot stage enclosed by bullet-proof glass, their presence demonstrating India’s stress on upgrading its ‘Look East’ policy to ‘Act East’. At the start of the ceremony, the Prime Minister, in a saffron, red and green safa or traditional headgear, paid homage to soldiers who died in the line of duty.
Meanwhile, India’s highest peacetime military decoration Ashok Chakra was given to Indian Air Force Garud commando Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala, who died fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir last year, on the occasion. The soldier’s wife and mother received the award from President Ram Nath Kovind.
Tableaux showcasing India’s deep historical, cultural and religious ties with the ASEAN nations were among the first of the floats gliding down Rajpath. These were followed by floats from 14 states and Union Territories, nine ministries, departments and paramilitary forces.
An all-women contingent of the Border Security Force or BSF performing daring bike stunts was among the most stunning spectacles at the parade. Stunts like “fish riding, side riding, faulaad, peacock and Saptarishi”, with the women constables in incredible formations, were cheered wildly by the crowds.
The Army’s T-90 tank, Brahmos Missile System and Akash Weapon System were the main draw in the military contingent. The Air Force tableau displayed models of the home-made Tejas Multirole Fighter Aircraft, Rudra Helicopter, Arudhra Radar and Akash missile system.
The show stopper was the Indian Air Force’s air display starring C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, Su-30 MKIs and LCA Tejas.
