<br/>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.<br/><br/>It also displayed impressive armoury including MBT Arjun, SMRECH Mulltiple Launch Rocket System, and Armoured Engineer Reki vehicle. 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. 19 of the 21 Children who won bravery awards walked into a huge applause. 2 of them have been conferred this award posthumously. The President and the Supreme commander of Armed Forces Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil took the salute at the parade. The South Korean President Lee Myung Bak was the Chief Guest at the function. 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/>AIR correspondent reports that a spectacular parade ended with a fly past<br/><br/>Despite morning chill and thick fog thousands of people turned up at the majestic Rajpath.<br/><br/>The unity and diversity was in full bloom at the parade. After the impressive mach past,21 Tableaux depicted the rich and diverse cultural heritage. People from different regions of the country wearing traditional dresses were dancing to the tunes of local musical tunes.<br/><br/>One of the eye catchers was Maharashtra's float Dabbawalla which supplies lunch to around two lakh people in Mumbai daily.Tradition of Indian music, handicrafts of Kashmir, Kumbh Mela , Common Wealth games and concerns of the golbal warming were also displayed.<br/><br/>The sight of flypast by Five Jaguars and Five Mig 29 in arrowhead formation and three Sukhoi 30 in Trishul formation apart from dare devil display by BSF motocyclits was realy breath taking. The event has passed off peacefully and the security agencies are heaving a sigh of relief in view of the increased threat preception.<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.<br/><br/>In his address the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister 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.