The country's impressive progress, vibrant cultural heritage, and military might were on display on the 61st Republic day on Tuesday. The Republic Day Parade on the Rajpath showcased the unity in diversity and, and the armed forces in full battle regalia. It also displayed impressive armoury including MBT Arjun, SMRECH Mulltiple Launch Rocket System, and Armoured Engineer Reki vehicle.<br/><br/>State of art ICV communication vehicles and Samyukta Electronic Warfare System were also part of the parade. Apart from army, the navy and air force, BSF, Assam Rifles, Coast Guards, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, Delhi Police, NCC, NSS and School Children also participated in the parade.<br/><br/>21 tableaux, 13 from states and 8 from Central Ministries brought to the fore the rich and diverse cultural canvass and social fabric.<br/><br/>19 of the 21 Children who won bravery awards walked into a huge applause. 2 of them have been conferred this award posthumously.<br/><br/>Despite heavy fog, thousands of people turned out to watch the majestic parade at Rajpath where the President and the Supreme commander of Armed Forces Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil took the salute.<br/><br/>The South Korean President Lee Myung Bak was the Chief Guest at the function.<br/><br/>The Vice President Mr Mohd Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and top political and military brass were present.<br/><br/>The parade began after the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying the homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti to the soldiers who laid down their lives while defending the nation's frontiers.<br/><br/>The President Mrs Pratibha Patil conferred three Ashok Chakras at the function, the highest peace time award. While Major D Sreeram Kumar received the award in person, Major Mohit Sharma and Havildar Rajesh Kumar were conferred the honour posthumously.<br/><br/>The spectacular parade ended with a fly past involving 5 Jaguars and 5 MIG 29 in arrowhead formation and 3 Sukhoi 30 in Trishul formation.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports a heavy security blanket was thrown around the capital for the Republic Day celebrations. Unprecedented security arrangement was put in place in the wake of intelligence input about LeT Militant outfit acquiring over 50 para-gliding equipments which could be used to launch an air-borne suicide attack.<br/><br/>The Republic Day was celebrated across the states with the leaders using this occasion to appeal the extremists and terrorists to shun the path of violence and come to the negotiating table to resolve all issues.<br/><br/>Defying boycott calls, people in large numbers joined the Republic Day celebrations in North East, Jammu and Kashmir and those in Naxal Hit areas. In his address the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mr Omar Abdullah urged militants to renounce violence and come forward for dialogue for resolution of issues.<br/><br/>In Guwahati, Assam Governor J B Patnaik appealed to insurgent groups to join dialogue process for settlement of their problems.<br/><br/>Jharkhand Governor M O H Farukh said in Ranchi that the solution to the Maoist menace lay in providing responsive administration and bringing the alienated youth back to main stream.