Nuclear-capable Agni missiles - a highlight for the past several years - were missing as U.S. President Barack Obama witnessed India's military might and cultural diversity on what proved to be a rainy and cold 66th Republic Day.
In doing so, Mr. Obama became the first U.S. President to be the chief guest at the parade as President Pranab Mukherjee took the salute at the parade.
In another departure from practice, Mr. Obama arrived in his own motorcade and not with President Pranab Mukherjee as is the practice. The crowd erupted in cheers as Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle stepped out of the ‘Beast’ vehicle.
Mr. Obama watched as several Russian-made tanks rolled over. The latest imported military hardware took part in the flypast such as the C-130 Hercules tactical transport, C-17 heavy transport and the Naval P-8I maritime patrol aircraft flying in formation with the two latest Russian-built MiG-29Ks.
While some of India’s latest military arsenal was on display and impressive marching contingents marched in precision, it marked a departure from past years in that the focus of this year’s parade was more on cultural diversity than on military might.
Some of the recent inductions both indigenous and imported were on display. The Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile and Weapon Locating Radar developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), INS Kolkata, the most advanced ship in the Navy’s arsenal and BrahMos cruise missile were the indigenous highlights.
Several States displayed impressive tableaux depicting their local flavour while some government departments displayed some of the prominent governments like ‘Make in India’ and ‘save the girl child’, which was a vibrant and colourful show.
There was huge applause form the crowd for the all women contingents of the three services, the daredevils team from the Border Security Force as well as for the cultural shows put up by schoolchildren from across the country.
People thronged to watch the parade in spite of the constant drizzle and gloomy weather.
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