Majestic parades mark peaceful 58th R-Day celebrations

New Delhi, Jan 26 (UNI) Majestic parades, impressive march pasts and hoisting of the Tricolour marked the 58th Republic Day celebrations across the country, which passed off peacefully amid heavy security arrangements.

In the main function here, country's military, economic and scientific might and cultural diversity was on display at a majestic and colourful parade at the historic Rajpath. As Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, Chief Guest at the 58th Republic Day, watched in rapt attention, Major General P C Bhardwaj, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, commanded the marching contingents of the Armed Forces.

Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces President A P J Abdul Kalam took salute of the spectacular parade.

The Army contingent, besides the mounted column of 61 Cavalry, also had nine mechanised columns, eight marching contingents and two tableaux. 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 formed part of its contingent.

The 144-member contingent of the Indian Navy, through its tableau highlighting various facets of Network Centric Operations, carried the message -- that the present year is the year of Networking for Efficiency and Combat Power.

In its platinum jubilee year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) introduced for the first time the indigenously developed radar Indra II and UAV Searcher II this morning.

With a contingent of 148 airmen, including four officers, the IAF showcased the newly inducted Indian Doppler Radar II (Indra II), designed for tactical application in the Air Defence Network and the medium altitude-medium endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for high risk missions.

Many Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees, both serving and retired, also participated in the parade.

Riding elephants 21 children, including 12 girls who received the National Bravery Awards for 2006, graced the parade.

Despite a high degree of threat perception and a shutdown call given by several militant and separatist groups, the 58th Republic day in Kashmir passed off peacefully today.

The main function in the Valley was held at the Bakshi Stadium here where state Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar unfurled the tri-colour and took salute at the march past.

Contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, BSF, IRP, ITBP, Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guards, NCC cadets, school children besides women police took part in the parade.

Despite a high degree of threat perception and a shutdown call given by several militant and separatist groups the Republic day in Kashmir passed off peacefully.

The main function in the Valley was held at the Bakshi Stadium here where state Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar unfurled the tri-colour and took salute at the march past. Contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, BSF, IRP, ITBP, Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guards, NCC cadets, school children besides women police took part in the parade.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha hoisted the Tricolour amid tight security at the M A stadium in Jammu.

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