India Celebrates 68th Republic Day

NEW DELHI: Overcast skies drizzled their blessings on the Indian Republic and thousands of spectators who had gathered to watch the 90-minute long parade, celebrating India’s 68th Republic Day on January 26, 2017, along the imposing central ceremonial boulevard, Rajpath. It was a morning of pomp and pageantry.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s arrival at the saluting base, accompanied by Chief Guest Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the UAE, heralded the major festivities. The colourful Presidential Bodyguard and a 21-gun salute launched the military parade, a major highlight of which was the 149-member marching contingent from UAE, comprising personnel from Presidential Guards, the Air Force, the Navy and Army.

President Mukherjee, commander-in-chief of the Indian armed forces, took the salute as the parade began with the UAE military contingent marching down the boulevard. Led by Lt Col Abood Musabeh Alghfeli, the contingent comprised the UAE Presidential Guard, the Air Force, the Navy, the Army and 35 musicians.

Delegates and diplomats from UAE, in ceremonial dress, stood up to cheer and take photos as the contingent of their soldiers from the army, navy and air force marched past, accompanied by their military band.

The Indian Army’s marching columns followed the tableaux showing its missile firing capabilities. The T-90 ‘Bhishma’ tank, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2K, Mobile Autonomous Launcher of the BrahMos Missile System, Weapon Locating Radar ‘Swathi’, ‘Akash’ Weapons System, CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle and ‘Dhanush’ Gun System were the main draw among the mechanised columns.