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India celebrates Republic Day; Barack Obama witnesses India's cultural heritage, military might
US President Barack Obama watched a dazzling parade of India's military might and cultural diversity on Monday, the second day of a visit trumpeted as a chance to establish a robust strategic partnership between the world's two largest democracies. Obama, who visited India in 2010, is also be the first US president to visit the country twice while in office.
Updated : Jan 26, 2015, 02:25 PM IST
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Multi-hued images of India's rich cultural diversity and military might as well as achievements in diverse fields unfolded on Monday at the 66th Republic Day parade which had a US President Barack Obama as the Chief Guest for the first time.
The unfurling of the tricolour by the President and playing of the national anthem were followed by a customary 21-gun salute.
As the nearly two-hour-long parade, showcasing the country's 'unity in diversity' marched down the Rajpath in drizzle and overcast skies, thousands of spectators gathered along the route and cheered in joy.
The national capital was wrapped in unprecedented security blanket as thousands of security personnel kept a hawk's vigil in and around the Rajpath area.
ALSO READ: India's cultural heritage, military might on display on Republic Day
Obama was seated next to Modi, donning a multicoloured 'bandhej safa'(turban), as the two leaders chatted and enjoyed the annual spectacle. A smiling US President was seen nodding in appreciation on several occasions.
The Make in India tableau stole the show at the Republic Day parade. The float, which displayed a working model of the ‘Make in India’ lion, invited manufacturers and investors to participate in the initiative.
As part of the seven-layered security, around 45,000 security personnel were deployed across the city while the commandos of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Delhi Police kept a hawk-eye vigil at important locations.
Live updates:
The grand finale of the parade - A spectacular flypast by the IAF jets and aircraft
The flypast commenced with 'Chakra' formation, comprising three Mi-35 helicopters in 'Vic' formation, followed by the 'Hercules' formation comprising three C-130J super Hercules aircraft.
Trailing them was a 'Poseidon' formation comprising one P-8I aircraft flanked by two MiG-29Ks and the 'Globe' formation comprising one C-17 Globemaster flanked by two Su-30s.
Republic Day | Spectacular flypast by IAF with 'Chakra' ,'Poseidon' and 'Globe' formation http://t.co/y4NRemWksr pic.twitter.com/o02Te2ACGO
— dna (@dna) January 26, 2015
Next five Jaguars flew in Arrowhead formation and the five MiG-29 fighters, called the 'Tridents', flew in 'Fulcrum' style.
Three Sukhoi (Su-30 MkI) fighter jets then made the "Trishul" formation by flying over the Rajpath, and once in front of the saluting dais, the three aircraft split upwards, making a 'Trishul' in the sky.
The flypast concluded with another Su-30 MkI carrying out a "Vertical Charlie" manoeuvre over the saluting dais.
Tableaux of Gujarat's float featuring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Gujarat presented the tableau on the theme of Statue of Unity - Sardar Sarovar project. It relates to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to build a giant statue of country's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the state.
Republic Day | Tableaux of Gujarat's float featuring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel http://t.co/y4NRemWksr pic.twitter.com/KIh6ZpTKZL
— dna (@dna) January 26, 2015
The highlight of the celebration was Mass P-T display, mass dance and songs by children from different educational institutions.
Republic Day | Dance performances by various schools http://t.co/y4NRemWksr pic.twitter.com/4amPFOWnwA
— dna (@dna) January 26, 2015
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Obama watching the Republic Day dances
#RepublicDay : PM & President Obama watching the RDay dances pic.twitter.com/AWZXiBGakK
— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2015
The Make in India tableau stole the show at the Republic Day parade. The float, which displayed a working model of the ‘Make in India’ lion, invited manufacturers and investors to participate in the initiative.
Republic Day Live | 'Make In India' float at Rajpath | http://t.co/y4NRemWksr pic.twitter.com/E1SRIMR6HN
— dna (@dna) January 26, 2015
The Republic day parade begins. The Air Force contingent comprising 144 men, led by Squadron Leader Manvender Singh, salutes President.
#RepublicDay And the parade starts!! pic.twitter.com/VSqsYR2Poi
— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2015
Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh, the two army personnel who laid down their lives combating militants in Kashmir Valley, were today awarded posthumously the highest peacetime military honour, the Ashok Chakra, by President Pranab Mukherjee.
The families of Major Varadarajan and Naik Singh, who showed exemplary courage in tackling terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, were honoured by the President at the Republic Day parade.The awards were received by their wives at the 66th Republic Day celebrations, which was graced by US President Barack Obama.
Republic Day | Indian schoolchildren dressed in the colours of the national flag http://t.co/y4NRemWksr pic.twitter.com/QbQ9njT9g8
— dna (@dna) January 26, 2015
The National Flag unfurled at Rajpath.
President Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Rajpath, greeted by PM Narendra Modi.
Chief Guest US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama arrives at Rajpath. In a departure from tradition, the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade, today arrived in his own highly-secured bomb-proof vehicle, 'The Beast,' at Rajpath. The Republic Day Chief Guest normally travels with the President of India in his car from Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Prime Minister Modi paid tribute at the 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', the memorial dedicated to martyrs who sacrificed their lives in service of the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets nation on the occasion of Republic Day
गणतंत्र दिवस पर सभी देशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनायें । Greetings to everyone on Republic Day.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 26, 2015
Live: Republic Day Parade
Also read: All you need to know about the security cover for Barack Obama
The police in New Delhi have cordoned off a large area around the presidential palace in preparation for the parade. A no-fly zone with a radius of 400 kilometres will be implemented during the parade, covering Jaipur and Agra and extending to the border with Pakistan.
A seven-layer security ring have be thrown around the VVIP enclosure on Rajpath for the Republic Day parade, which is being witnessed by US President Barack Obama and the airspace over the area is being monitored by a radar to be specially set up.
A multi-agency control room is monitoring the surveillance operations in every area of the national capital which has been put on the highest alert because of the visit of the US President.
At least 10,000 paramilitary troops have been deployed along with the 80,000-strong Delhi Police to ensure fool-proof security in and around Rajpath - the main venue.
