Fine weather, colours mark 58th R-Day parade

New Delhi, Jan 26: A bright sunny day, after days of chill, provided the perfect setting for the Republic Day parade here which was enjoyed by all -- children, youth and the old.

Colours -- of yellow and red flowers showered from planes on the visitors, the green stands and ambience of Rajpath, the black arms carried by securitymen, the tricolour and the blue azure sky all added to the exuberence of the 58th Republic Day.

The stands were full as early as 0830 hrs with people assembling since early morning for the grand R-Day parade.

With most 'viewers' stands' being fully occupied more than an hour before the parade commenced, mediapersons were denied entry, despite reaching on time, for more than half an hour after the parade started.

Scribes were seen protesting and shouting at policemen over the 'wrong confinement' and 'entry denial'. Matters did not ease even with the arrival of senior police officers which invited further wrath from them.

Officials, citing 'security reasons' kept them waiting at entrance points, leading to loud protests. After more than an hour of argument, the people joined the protests and the barricades were opened for all.

Chaos prevailed and journalists were seen yelling at security officers for not allowing them entry at the starting of the parade despite possessing press cards and identity cards. Things were brought under control after senior officials intervened and gave a dressing down to personnel deployed at the entrance.

Purple, red and khaki were the dominant colours this season with most ladies donning the 'two favourites'. The third - Khakhi - was obviously of the security personnel guarding every nook and corner of the parade arena.

With the children, red was the hot favourite, the ladies preferred purple. Mufflers, caps and cardigans and even handgears like 'kadas', bands and churis --all were seen in purple and red.

Khaki, another omnipresent colour, though mostly worn by the police and para-miltary forces was not absent from the the peoples sartorial style. Jackets, pullovers and caps of men were also seen in khaki.

Roads, all over the city, wore a deserted look with traffic off the scene and crossings full of securitymen - checking and chatting.

All entries in the prohibited area of the parade route were strictly checked through identification often to troublesome limits.

Parking of 'labelled vehicles' was one big pain with long distances to cover before reaching the designated 'venue'. Harassed people had no way but to give in.

Select public transport and auto rickshaws were seen though in miniscule in number.

Most people walked to the parade which saw pedestrian ways choked and policemen mostly toiling to control the wayward crowd.

The Uttar Pradesh tableau, which depicted the '1857 Rising', was applauded by many The entire stand at the VIP arena erupted in joyous cheer as the rising's soundbyte played over the acoustics.

Another bout of loud cheers came when the caparisoned elephants carrying the '21 brave hearts' -- winners of this year's Bravery Awards' -- drove through the Rajpath, even as the children waved merrily on all sides to 'answer' the showering compliments.

The dance sequence enlisting the 'Commonwealth Games 2010' playing the national tunes of 'Sare Jahan se Accha' was also welcomed by several rounds of applause.

But, as if reserved for the finale, people gave a rousing reception to the majestic display by the Indian Air Force. They flypast by the Jaguars, MIGs and Sukhois sent the crowd in raptures.

UNI