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Security concerns overshadow R-Day parade in Delhi
By Our Staff Reporter
The Agni-II missile on display at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Saturday. - Photo: V.V. Krishnan
NEW DELHI, JAN. 26. The 53rd Republic Day parade here today reflected the turbulent times, held as it was against the backdrop of recent terrorist attacks and the tension prevailing on the border with Pakistan. The parade was cut short by 20 minutes from the earlier 90 and witnessed only a token presence of the armed forces; also a shorter route was taken because of security concerns.
A miscalculation in the timing of the fly-past, an error in coordination by the NCC marching contingent and the absence of the Army, Air Force and Navy marching columns, bands and equipment added to the sombre mood on Rajpath.
Even the enclosures were sparsely occupied. Only the stands for which tickets had been sold had a sizeable attendance. The security cover was heavy in the wake of threats from militant organisations.
The President, K.R. Narayanan, took the salute of the parade, commanded by the General Officer Commanding of Delhi Area, Maj. Gen. N.S. Pathania. The President arrived at Rajpath along with the visiting President of Mauritius, Cassam Uteem, who was the Chief Guest.
Before the start of the parade, the Defence Minister, the three Service chiefs and the Defence Secretary received the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, at India Gate, where he paid homage to martyrs by laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti. They then reached the saluting area to receive the Vice-President, Krishan Kant, his wife, Suman Krishan Kant, the First Lady, Usha Narayanan, and the First Lady of Mauritius, Zohara Uteem.
Soon after the unfurling of the tricolour, followed by the national anthem and a 21-gun salute, a brief investiture ceremony took place. The highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashok Chakra, was conferred posthumously on Naik Rambeer Singh Tomar of Rashtriya Rifles for killing four militants in a counter- insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The President also gave away the Ashok Chakra posthumously to the CRPF Constable, Kamlesh Kumari, and the Rajya Sabha Watch and Ward employees, M.S. Negi and J.P. Yadav, who laid down their lives while thwarting the attack on Parliament.
Four Mi-8 helicopters carrying the national flag and ensigns of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force then flew past, showering flower petals on the supreme commander of the armed forces, the President.
The participation of the defence forces was limited to the 61st Cavalry and the Defence Research and Development Organisation, which showcased the remote-controlled vehicle, Nishant, the multi-span mobile bridging system, Sarvatra, and Agni-II, the state-of-the-art surface-to-surface intermediate range ballistic missile.
Contingents of para-military and other auxiliary forces such as BSF, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, RPF, Delhi police and Home Guard were present in strength along with those of NCC and National Service Scheme. The parade stopped momentarily as the NCC contingents resorted to on-the-spot marching for correcting their steps.
The colourful tableaux from 16 States and 12 Ministries this time not only depicted the progress made by the nation and its rich cultural heritage but also reflected thoughtfully on the earthquake which rocked Gujarat exactly an year ago. Other issues of concern such as communal harmony and the Chipko movement were also addressed.
Thereafter it was the turn of the 25 Bravery Award- winning children to bask in their new-found glory as they came riding atop caparisoned elephants and waved to the spectators.
The parade also witnessed a colourful cultural pageant presented by children from nine schools from across the country. They were followed by the 90 BSF trick-riders, who presented daredevil acrobatic feats atop 19 motorcycles. But as 29 of them were riding past the saluting dais on seven motorcycles, three Sukhoi SU-30 aircraft flying in formation reached the venue ``unannounced''.
The mistiming left the gathering disappointed as the fighter-planes were the only ones to take part in the truncated celebrations.
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