A strong and resurgent India is celebrating its 57th Republic Day on 26 January 2006. This year’s parade will highlight the nation’s achievements in various fields, the military prowess as also our rich and diverse cultural heritage.
The Armed Forces will showcase the Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missiles, Agni-I, Agni-II and Prithvi II Surface-to-Surface Missiles, MBT Arjun, 155/45 mm E1 Soltam Artillery guns, Tunguska and Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launching System, AN/TPQ – 37 Weapon Locating Radars, Network Operations Centre, Mobile Communication Node (ASCON), Bridge Layer Tank on Arjun chassis, Amphibious Floating Bridge and Ferry System, Hydrema demining vehicle, Mobile , Infantry Combat Vehicles – BMP-II and BRDM – II (STRIKER), Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle (Tracked), INDRA MK-II (PC) Radars will be some of the major attractions of this year’s Republic Day Parade.
The parade ceremony will commence at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate where the Prime Minister, Shri Manmohan Singh will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath. An eternal flame burns at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the indomitable courage of our Armed Forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland. The Amar Jawan the immortal soldier, is symbolised by a reversed rifle topped by a helmet.
As per tradition, the President A P J Abdul Kalam, will unfurl the National Flag and take the salute. This year’s Chief Guest in the parade will be King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia.
The parade will be commanded by Major General P C Bhardwaj, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area. Brig K M S Shergill will be the parade Second-in-Command. The marching contingents of Army will be from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment, the Garhwal Rifles Regiment, the Kumaon Regiment, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and the Territorial Army (SIKH). The marching contingents of Navy and the Air Force will consist of 144 soldiers and four officers each.
The marching contingents of para-military and other auxiliary civil forces will include contingents from Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Railway Protection Force, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme. The Camel mounted Band and Contingent of the BSF will also participate.
Tableaux from 24 states and Central Ministries and Departments will present the varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the country. They will also showcase country’s progress in different fields.
Seventeen children, who have been selected for the National Bravery Award – 2006 will also participate in the parade riding on caparisoned elephants.
In the children’s pageant section, 1500 boys and girls drawn from different school of the country will present dances and other programmes.
The motorcycle display by the Jaanbaz of the Border Security Force will be a major attraction of the parade. With 124 Riders and 24 silver Motor cycles will perform breathtaking stunts in a synchronised and synergistic display of mind, body and machine coordination.
The grand finale of the parade will be a spectacular flypast by the IL-78 Air-to-Air Refuellers and Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft in Tanker formation, followed by series of Jaguar and MIG 29 fighter aircraft in Arrowhead formation.
SK/RKP/SKS/RAJ
(Release ID :15107)