New Delhi, India (BBN)-India celebrated its 66th Republic Day parade on Monday, with US President Barack Obama present as the chief guest during a spectacular projection of military might and cultural diversity in Delhi’s Rajpath.
An overcast sky and drizzles could not dampen the spirits in the national capital where top leaders attended the colourful showcasing of military hardware with carnival-style floats featuring tribal dancers and traditional music, reports the Hindustan Times.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Obama with a warm smile and handshake at Rajpath around 10am. Obama is the first US president to be the guest of honour on the occasion.
January 26 marks the day in 1950 when India adopted its Constitution, after gaining Independence from Britain in
1947. Every year, India hosts the leader of a foreign country as chief guest for the parade.
HERE ARE THE TOP DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DAY:
1) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the nation early in the morning. “Greetings to everyone on Republic Day,” he tweeted.
2) The R-Day celebrations began with Modi paying tributes at the India Gate war memorial. After the PM laid a wreath at the eternal flame to the unknown soldiers, the buglers sounded the Last Post, and two minutes of silence was observed.
3) Modi then signed the Visitor’s Book and headed back to the saluting base on Rajpath. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, minister of state for defence Rao Inderjit Singh, and the three services chiefs were also present at India Gate.
4) Despite the light showers, enthusiastic people reached Rajpath to witness the parade.
5) President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Ashok Chakra award to the families of Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh. Mukherjee then unfurled the national flag. The national anthem was played and the event began.
6) Security is particularly tight this year, with roads sealed off and the Metro shut down for the duration of the parade. Snipers were posted on rooftops along the parade route, while helicopters and surveillance drones kept a watch from above. Some 400km around the venue has been declared a no-fly zone and 15,000 new CCTV cameras have been installed. Spectators were not allowed to take in mobile phones, cameras, books, or even remote-control car keys.
BBN/SK/AKG-26Jan15:12.50pm (BST)