Overview

The 60th Republic Day parade held on the Rajpath in New Delhi on Monday (26th January 2009) highlighted the military prowess, fascinating presentation of air power and its rich cultural diversity. March-past by the contingents of Police, Home Guards, ITBP, NCC and cultural programs were the main attractions of the day long celebration. We are remembering the 26th January 1950 as the most important day in Indian history. The constitution of India came into force on 26th January 1950 and following this India became the republican unit in total and the sovereign state. The President of India, Smt.Pratibha Patil, in her Republic day message, extended her ‘good wishes to Indian citizens from all walks of life, living in the country and overseas.’ She emphasized the need to secure the nation against terrorist and fundamentalist elements.

Parade

In exciting and pomp parade marched from the historic India Gate and passed along the Rajpath. Smt. Patil took the salute from the contingents of Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary troops and National Cadet Corps. (NCC).

Defence Minister A.K.Antony

The chief guest chief guest of the 60th Republic Day was Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Defence Minister A.K.Antony executed all the conventional duties of Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh since the Mr.Singh is convalescing from his bypass heart surgery. The Defence Minister, along with chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, laid wreaths at 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' at India Gate, the War Memorial built by the British. The 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' an eternal flame burns in memory of over 1,00000 fallen soldiers in World War I.

Awards

The National Flag was unfurled by Smt.Pratibha Patil and the National Anthem by military bands was played. There was the 21-gun salute by 299 Field Regiment. Thereafter, President Smt. Pratibha Patil conferred Ashok Chakra posthumously to:

1) Chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Hemant Karkare,

2) Additional Commissioner of Maharastra police, Ashok Kamte,

3) Delhi Police Inspector, Mohan Chand Sharma,

4) Colonel Jojan Thomas of JAT Regiment,

5) Havildar Bahadur Singh Bohra of the 10th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment,

6) Inspector Vijay Salaskar of Maharastra Police,

7) Asst. Sub-Inspector Tukaram Gopal Ombale of Mahastra police,

8) Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of Bihar Regiment and

9) Havildar Gajendra Singh of Parachute Regiment.

President Smt. Pratibha Patil also gave her consent for some other defense charkas and medals including 13 Kirti Chakras, one Bar Shaurya Chakra, 30 Shaurya Chakras, 91 Sena Gallantry Medals, two Tatrakshak Gallery Medals, three Takrakshak meritorious service medals and 49 Mention-in- Dispatches.

Impressive Mechanised Columns

The 60th Republic day parade was commanded by Major General K J S Oberoi, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. Brig Kuldeep Singh was the Second-in-Command of the parade. The showcase of the mechanized column of the Armed Forces included the Bhishma T-90 battle tank, BrahMos missile, OSA-AK Weapon System, T-72 tanks, Network Operation Centre, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-II Sarath, Takshak Striker (aircraft), Advanced Light Helicopter- Dhruv etc.

Colorful Army Contingents

The marching Army contingents in their colorful attire included from the Parachute Regiment, Rajput Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, Territorial Army Punjab, J&K Rifles and Ladakh Scouts. Lt. Commander Anshul Awasthy led the marching Navy contingents comprising 144 men. Similarly Sq. Ldr. Robinder Singh Zenda led the Air Force contingent comprising 148 men. The para-military and other auxiliary civil forces’ marching contingents comprised contingents from Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Railway Protection Force, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme. The colorful Camel mounted Band and Contingent of the BSF came in the last.

Tableaux from Indian States and Departments

The 18 tableaux, representing 12 states as well as six Central Ministries and Departments showcased the nation’s culture, art forms, Scientific and technological progress and rich resources. The number of tableaux was reduced to 18 from 26 last year. The spectacular Andhra Pradesh state tableaux paid tribute to saint Annamacharya. The Assam state exhibited its amazing wildlife. The Madhya Pradesh state recollected their tribal martyr and freedom fighter, who was hanged by the British. The states like Kerala, Orissa and Rajasthan showed their traditional culture. The tableaux of Jammu and Kashmir showcased the monastery in Ladakh, wherein the Buddhist monks danced in their traditional attire. The tableaux also included the huge traditional Kashmiri House boat housing boys and girls with musical instruments. They sang in chorus and the played their instruments.

The state Uttarakhand depicted the adventure tourism like trekking, rock climbing, paragliding and river rafting. The state Rajasthan highlighted its wildlife of Ranthambore National Park. In front of the tableau there was colorful Gair dance of Ranthambore by 25 folk dancers with their traditional attires and headgear.

National Bravery award to Children

The nineteen (out of 20) children, the recipients of National Bravery Award – 2008, participated in this parade and passed riding on open jeeps. One child was posthumously.

Spectacular Dare Devils

There was the pageantry of dancing children from Remal Public Senior Secondary School, Rohini, Delhi and North-East Zone cultural centre, Dimapur. The concluding spectacular event by DARE DEVILS (team of the Corps of Signals) was motorcycle display. Capt. Jitender Siwach led the team. They showed amazing stunts by synchronizing mind, body and machine coordination.