R-Day 2018: India marks 69th Republic Day with 10 ASEAN guests

New Delhi: India, on Friday, flaunted its military prowess and diverse culture during the 69th Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath here in the presence of leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations who are the chief guests for the occasion.

Heads of state from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei arrived at the parade venue and were received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.

They are President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam, Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha of Thailand, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar and Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Indian Army personnel conducted the march past carrying the ASEAN flag at the Republic Day parade.

Ashoka Chakra awarded to Late Air Force Commando JP Nirala

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Ashoka Chakra award to Late Air Force Commando JP Nirala, who lost his life in Bandipora encounter. The gallantry award was presented to Nirala's mother and wife.

Modi paid tribute to Amar Jawan Jyoti:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives for the country by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.

Modi was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba.

After laying the wreath, Modi observed a two-minute silence to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS8WymCNXZU

Brahmos Missile System of 881 Missile Regiment. It is the only Super Sonic Cruise Missile presently available in the world

The parade was commanded by Lt. General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area. Major General Rajpal Punia, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Delhi Area was the parade second-in-command.

The marching contingents started with flag bearer contingent displaying the Asean and 10 Asean countries' flags followed by the Indian Army Band drawn from 39 Gorkha Training Centre and 1 EME Centre.

The Indian Army's T-90 tank (Bhishma), Ballway Machine Pikate (II/IIK), Brahmos Missile System, weapon locating radar (Swathi), bridge laying tank T-72, mobile base transceiver station and Akash weapon system were the main draw in the mechanised columns.

The marching contingent of the Army included horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, the Punjab Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry, the Dogra Regiment, Ladakh Scouts, the Regiment of Artillery and 123 Infantry Battalion - Territorial Army (Grenadiers) followed by the tableau of ex-Servicemen.

The marching contingent of the Navy comprised 144 young sailors led by Lieutenant Tushar Gautam,.

The Indian Air Force contingent also had 144 men led by Squadron Leader Attal Singh Shekhon.

The paramilitary and other auxiliary civil forces included the Border Security Force marching as well as Camel Contingents, Indian Coast Guard, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme.

What is special this January 26?

• During 69th Republic Day parade, over 700 students across the guest countries will perform at the event.
• For the first time, a newly-formed all-woman bikers contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) will make its debut on Rajpath on Republic Day.
• There will also be a flypast by MI-17 and RUDRA armed helicopters along with a number of IAF aircraft.