'Videshi maharaja' to lead 61 Cavalry Army contingent at R-Day Parad

New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) Even as GOC Delhi Major General P C Bhardwaj will lead the Army contingent at this year's Republic Day Parade, a 'maharaja' from Malaysia will lead the '61 Cavalry' -- the world's only horse mounted unit -- at the ceremony at the historic Rajpath here.

Captain Ismail Ibrahim of the Malaysian royal family of Johar Bahru, serving in the Indian Army for the last two years, while leading the '61 Cavalry' during the 'Parade' feels ''honoured and proud'' to be part of the ''world's most disciplined force''.

The Army contingent, besides the Mounted Column of 61 Cavalry, will also have nine mechanised columns, eight marching contingents and two tableaux. Its aviation wing, comprising Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, would also do a fly past.

T-72 tanks, fitted with Thermal Imaging Stand Alone Sight (TISAS), Tactical Control Reporter Radar, Mobile Decontaminatiom Station, Mobile Base Transceiver Station and the Army Wide Area Network (AWAN) on mobile mode will be the Army contingent's highlights.

The Parachute Regiment Contingent and tableaux of Remount and Veterinary Corps and 'World Military Games 2007' would also be part of its display, which would be supported by five band contingents to provide music.

The 'Parade', which begins at 1000 hrs will take one hour and 42 minutes, to complete and would be followed by the fly past of the Indian Air Force.

Besides 18 States and Union Territories, eight tableaux from various ministries and departments would participate in this year's Republic Day Parade.

UNI