A strong and resurgent India is celebrating 61st republic day tomorrow. This year’s parade will highlight the nation’s achievements in various fields, the military might, scintillating display of air power and rich and diverse culture heritage of India.The highlight of the parade will be MBT Arjun, Smerch Multiple Launch Rocket System, Armoured Engineer Recce Vehicle, Sarvatra Bridge and Electronic Warfare System. Also on view will be the indigenous systems being developed by the DRDO including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Agni-III Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Shourya Surface-to-Surface Strategic Missile and the Rohini Radar. A galaxy of sports personalities including Boxer Vijender Singh, weight lifter K Malleshwari, hockey player Zafar Iqbal, shooter Samresh Jung and veteran Olympian Milkha Singh will be the star attractions of the tableaux of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in view of the Commonwealth Games being organized in India.The parade will commence at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate where the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying wreath. The President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil will hoist the National Flag and take salute at the parade. The South Korean President Lee Myung Bak is the Chief Guest at this year’s function. The President will also confer the Ashok Chakra on occassion.The parade will be commanded by Lt Gen Kanwaljit Singh Oberoi, the general officer commanding Delhi area. 21 tableaux from states and Central Ministries will showcase the country’s progress and heritage. 19 of the 21 children selected for the National Bravery Awards will also participate in the parade.AIR Correspondent reports that a heavy security blanket has been thrown around the National Capital ahead of the Republic Day Parade.Extra ordinary security is in place in the backdrop of intelligence inputs about Pak based LeT acquiring para-gliding equipments which could be used to launch an air-borne sucide attack. Over 15 thousand security personnels are deployed on duty to keep tight vigil with a multiplayer security ring around Rajpath. Mobile teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharp shooters have also been deployed at various places. Snipers will be at high rise buildings with over 100 CCTVs to keep a watch on people’s movement on the parade route. Patrolling in corwded markets have been intensified besides the frisking at Metro, Railway stations and bus stands. Heavy security is also in place at Indira Gandhi International Airport.