The 59th Republic Day parade, showcasing India's military might and cultural diversity, made every citizen's heart swell with pride as the smartly-turned out soldiers and the state-of-the-art weaponry marched down the majestic Rajpath.

Led by Delhi Area's General Officer Commanding Maj Gen K.J.S. Oberoi, the parade began with over a dozen serving and retired recipients of the Param Vir Chakra and other military awards for bravery passing by the ceremonial dais at President Pratibha Devisingh Patil -- the first woman head of state in the republic's history -- taking the salute.

The bravehearts were followed by the army contingent, which comprised mounted column of 61 Cavalry -- the only operational horse-mounted military formation in the world, ten mechanised columns comprising advanced and lethal weapon systems including the T-90 Tanks 'Bhishma', Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT-72), 155 mm Soltam howitzers, the Smerch Multiple Launch Rocket System, the Brahmos cruise missile (army variant), Tungushka Air Defence Gun System, Sarvatra Bridge, Mobile Network Connect Center, the BMP-II K Infantry Combat Vehicle and Carrier Mortar tracked vehicle.

Eight marching contingents from Punjab Regiment, the Grenadiers, the Rajputana Rifles, Sikh Light Infantry, Assam Regiment, the Mahar Regiment, 8 Gorkha Rifles and Territorial Army (126 & 155 Infantry Battalions), followed as the Dhruv advanced light helicopters of Army Aviation flew past.

The highlights of the DRDO columns included the Brahmos, Experimental Tanks, NBC Recce Vehicle, Anti Submarine Warfare Tableaus, Dhanush Missile and AGNI-III Missile.

An ex-Servicemen contingent followed, accompanied by Bihar Regiment Centre and AMC Centre & School Band. A total of four band contingents comprising of participation by eight regiments -- The Punjab Regiment Centre & Artillery Centre Band, The AD Arty & Guard Regimental Centre Band, The Assam Regimental Centre & Mahar Regimental Centre Band & Para Regimental Centre & Rajput Regimental Centre Band -- provided the music for the march.

Lt Commander Ravi Kant Pandey led the marching contingents of Navy comprising 144 men and Sq Ldr Ashok Sharma led the IAF contingent of 148 men.

To follow were the marching contingents of para-military and other auxiliary civil forces including from the 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 camel mounted band and contingent was also eagerly awaited.

Tableaux from 26 states and Central Ministries and Departments will present the varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the country, and also showcase the country’s progress in different fields.

Eighteen of the 22 children selected for the National Bravery Award 2007 will also participate in the parade riding on caparisoned elephants. Four were awarded posthumously.

In the children’s pageant section, more than 1400 boys and girls drawn from different school of Delhi and various cultural zones will present dances and other programs.

Jaanbaz, the motorcycle display by the Border Security Force will be a major attraction of the parade. It will consist of 178 riders on 34 motorcycles performing breathtaking stunts.

Earlier, the parade got off to a poignant start at the India Gate with remembrance and honors for the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, accompanied by the three service chiefs, led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti -- the eternal flame.

Thereupon, President Patil, accompanied by this year's Chief Guest, French President Nicholas Sarkozy, arrived at the ceremonial dais in a clatter of hooves, escorted by the armed horsemen of the President's Body Guard.

Mrs Patil then unfurled the national tricolour, before going on to confer the country's highest peacetime gallantry award -- the Ashok Chakra -- to Major Dinesh Raghu Raman of Jat Regiment/34 Rashtriya Rifles, Captain Harshan of 2 Parachute Regiment, the twice decorated Naib Subedar Chunnilal of 8 Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry and Col Vasantha Venugopal of 9 Maratha Light Infantry.

It was a touching moment as the kin of the brave soldiers -- Colonel Vasanth's widow Subhashini, Major Raman's father Capt S Krishnamurthy, Captain Harshan's father K Radhakrishnan Nair, and Subedar Chunnilal's widow Chintha Devi-- received the awards.

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