Marching down from the Raisina Hills, the Republic Day parade showcased the country's 'unity in diversity' as well as the armed forces in full battle regalia.
Despite the heavy fog, well turned out and synchronised military contingents marched proudly through the Rajpath where President and Supreme Commander of armed forces Pratibha Patil took the salute.
The march-past was watched by the Republic Day chief guest South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and the country's top political and military brass, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Patil and her South Korean counterpart arrived at the Rajpath escorted by the President's 46 bodyguards riding well-trained, impeccably-bedecked horses.
Minutes before the parade began, Singh, Dr Antony and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force laid wreaths at 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', the British-era World War-I memorial at India Gate, where an eternal flame burns in memory of those who laid down their lives while defending the nation's frontiers.
A heavy security blanket was thrown around New Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations in the backdrop of intelligence inputs about terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba acquiring over 50 para-gliding equipment, which could be used to launch an air-borne suicide attack.
After the President unfurled the tricolour and a customary 21-gun salute, the parade led by Major General KJS Oberoi, General Officer Commanding of Delhi Area of the Army, started.
The fog played spoilsport as four Mi-17 helicopters, which were scheduled to shower flower petals on the spectators, failed to do so due to the weather conditions.
The first to walk were the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra followed by mounted columns of 61 Cavalry.
The army also brought its state-of-the-art ICV Communication Vehicle besides Samyukta Electronic Warfare System, Infantry Fighting Vehicle 'Sarath' and Ambulance Tracked to the parade.
They marched to the tunes Pragati, Sam Bahadur, Hanste Lushai and General Tappyplayed by several bands drawn from various regiments of the Army.
Smartly dressed 148 Navy personnel then marched to the tunes of 'Jai Bharati' along with a tableau of INS Shivalik, which will be inducted shortly into the Indian Navy.
DRDO's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Agni-III missile, surface-to-surface Shourya missile and Rohini Radar were also displayed.
Other marching contingents included camel-mounted BSF, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, RPF, Delhi Police, NCC and NSS.
Rajasthan came out with the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory in Jaipur displaying sophisticated instruments while Manipur came up with Hiyang Tanaba -- the traditional boat race of Meiteis tribe.
The lovely silk from Bhagalpur was what Bihar brought to the parade. Bihar's 'Bhagalpur Ki Lok Sanskriti: Resham Udyog' tableau displayed the sleek and lustrous silk made by Bhagalpur weavers.
Karnataka showcased 'Pattada Kal', a world heritage site which is a fine example of temple architecture while Meghalaya's tableau showed its ingenious system of tapping of stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes.
The Youth Affairs and Sports ministry showcased the Commonwealth Games 2010, the first 'Green Games'. A bevy of sportspersons, including legendary athletes Milkha Singh and P T Usha, former hockey captain player Zafar Iqbal, Badminton player Gopichand Pullela and shooter Samresh Jung were the stars accompanying the tableau.
Children, who won the national bravery awards, then walked in to a huge applause. Twenty-one children have been selected for this year's award.
The spectacular parade ended with a flypast involving an IL-78, two AN-32 and two Dorniers in big boy formation, one AWACS and two SU-3- MKI in sentry formation and five Jaguars in arrowhead formation.
The flypast also had five Jaguars and five MiG29 in arrowhead formation and three SU-30 MKI in Trishul formation.
Jay Hind !!!!!!!!!!!
