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Grand R-Day parade showcases Indian military might

India on Friday celebrated the first Republic Day of the new millennium by unfolding its awesome military prowess alongside a rich tapestry of its multi-cultural heritage and envious strides in critical sectors of the economy.

As the morning sun tore through the wintry sky to spread warmth on Rajpath, the majestic tree-lined avenue for the ceremonial parade, the world's largest democracy showcased its defence preparedness through top-of-the-line weapon systems, assuring citizens of its commitment to protect the frontiers against all odds.

For 110 minutes, Rajpath sizzled and shimmered as President K R Narayanan, supreme commander of the armed forces, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, chief guest at this year's function, political leaders, chiefs of the defence forces, dignitaries and a swirling mass of humanity on either flank of the route watched the proceedings in rapt attention.

Tanks and armoured cars rolled imperiously, fighter jets roared through the sky and helicopters hovered overhead, showering the crowd with rose and marigold petals.

It was a celebration all the way as the militaristic flavour of the parade was tempered by vignettes of culture and economic growth displayed by various states and organisations through a series of decorated floats.

Escorted by the President's bodyguard, the oldest surviving horse regiment in the world, Narayanan arrived at Rajpath accompanied by the Algerian president to a 21-gun salute by gunners of the 81 Field Battery of the 12 Field Regiment.

Commanded by Major General Vinod Bhanot, general officer commanding, Delhi area, the parade began with a march of the proud winners of the highest gallantry awards. They included Kargil heroes and Param Vir Chakra winners Havildar Yogender Singh Yadav and Havildar Sanjay Kumar, Ashok Chakra awardee Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Jasram Singh and Victoria Cross recipient Subedar Major (retd) Bhandari Ram.

Closely following them was a mounted column of the 61 Cavalry, the world's only surviving cavalry, which made way for the mechanised columns. The main battle tank Arjun, the Prithvi missile system, the Bofors 77B 155mm field howitzer and Tunguska air defence weapon system came as assuring sights.

But what evoked tremendous curiosity were Sujav, a frequency jamming equipment, Safari, a jamming device for improvised explosive devices, which have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization, and the improved reporter radar.

While Sujav and Safari were displayed for the first time, the Reporter radar, a state-of-the-art equipment of Dutch origin capable of low-level surveillance of flying aircraft, was inducted into the army in 1998.

The Prithvi missile system can deliver warheads of up to one tonne in a range of about 150km. The 77B howitzer, having a maximum range of 30km and a burst-fire capability of three rounds in 14 seconds, is hailed as the pride of the Indian artillery. The MBT Arjun, fitted with a 120mm gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun and 7.62mm machine gun, has fast target acquisition capability during any time of day and all types of weather.

The army also displayed the engineer mine plough fitted on T-72 tanks, PMS bridging equipment and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles.

A special feature of the parade was that every army marching contingent carried the indigenously developed INSAS 5.56mm rifles.

The navy had its moment of pride when a model of INS Sindhushastra, a newly inducted attack submarine, was displayed at the parade for the first time. The submarine, inducted into the navy last year after its acquisition from Russia, can fire long-range supersonic cruise missiles on targets deep inland.

As part of the International Fleet Review in Bombay next month, the navy also showed a float of scaled-down models of its latest stealth destroyers and frigates INS Mumbai and INS Talwar.

The Indian Air Force unleashed from its stables Lakshya, a pilotless target aircraft, the Mi-35 helicopter, MiG-21 BIS, Jaguar, Indera II PC radar and OSA-AK-M combat vehicle.

Punctuating the display of defence equipment by the three wings of the forces were the men behind these machines. Without a foot out of step and heads held high, contingents drawn from the army, navy and air force marched down Rajpath to martial tunes.

The men and women drawn from paramilitary forces matched their counterparts in the defence forces. A major attraction in this segment was the camel contingent of the Border Security Force. The presence of the camel contingent and modern missiles showed the existence of different units in the Indian Army that has to secure the country's borders in different terrain.

The annual pageantry was, however, not restricted to showing the country's military muscle. As many as 29 tableaux from various states and organisations depicting the respective regional cultural heritage added a sublime touch to the proceedings.

Representing the diverse strands of the country, the floats portrayed scenes from Indian history highlighting the themes of communal harmony, temple traditions, festivals, painting and dances. More importantly, the tableaux represented the developments made by a vibrant nation with a vision for the future.

Delhi's tableau showed a giant portrait of Mirza Ghalib underlining the need for communal harmony. The entry from Karnataka depicted strides in software technology and the changes it had brought in the lives of people.

Vying for a spot of pride were a group of 23 children, who for their acts of exemplary courage were rewarded with a ride atop caparisoned elephants along the parade route. Always the cynosure of all eyes, these national bravery award-winning children, including five girls, basked in their moments of glory.

They were followed by about 2000 school children, some of whom walked down boisterously on Rajpath while others presented folk dances and brought out the splendour of the country and youth power through songs and skits.

The daredevils of the Tornado team of the Army Service Corps made a lasting impression. The Tornadoes displayed incredible feats on their motorcycles, leaving the spectators spellbound.

UNI

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