India today celebrated its 62nd Republic Day showcasing its military might and cultural diversity. Tens of thousands of people across the country turned out to watch the national flag unfurled and parades by Police and Armed Forces besides children at their colourful best. The celebrations passed off peacefully as in the North East thousands of people defied militant diktats and participated in the celebrations.The biggest spectacle was at the historic Rajpath in New Delhi where President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces unfurled the national tri-colour and took the salute at the parade as contingents of military and para-military forces marched down from the Raisena Hills. President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was the Chief Guest at the parade. Vice-President Mohd. Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his cabinet colleagues and members of the diplomatic core and leaders of political parties were present on the occasion.The parade displayed the indigenous military hardware. Light Combat Aircraft Tejus, T-90 main battle tank 'Bheeshma' and Brahamos Supersonic Cruise Missile was the center of attraction. Thousands of people who watched on the lawns of the Rajpath and millions over television as the parade wound its way over eight kilometers from Raisena Hills to the Red Fort.AIR correspondent reports that twenty-three Colourful tableaux depicting the myriad hues of country's diversity and vibrant performance by students was itself depicting Mini-India. As the bright Sun lit up the city, the country's cultural and religious diversity was represented by folk artists and dancers and won applause from the VIPs and people simultaneously. Marshal Music filled the air with well-known tunes like 'Sare Jahan Se Achha', 'Jai Bharat' and 'Qadam Qadam Badaye Ja' belted out by the military bands. The 150th birth anniversary of Rabindra Nath Tagore was on focus with two separate two tableaux paying tribute to the Nobel laureate. Many tableaux depicted the progress achieved by the country in the various fields. Dare Devils, the motorcycle display by the Army’s Corps of Signals, performed breathtaking stunts. The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular flypast by the IAF fighter planes and the Mi-25 attack helicopter, participating for the first time.Earlier, the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate before the parade began. Leaders in violence-hit states today asked Maoists and insurgents to come to the negotiating table even as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said separatists should utilise the services of Central interlocutors and join the dialogue process.In an address to the people on the occasion of Republic Day in Jammu, Omar called for utilising the present conducive atmosphere of dialogue in a positive manner to address political issues of Jammu and Kashmir. He appealed to the separatists to rise to the occasion and play their role in bringing about peace and tranquillity in the state.He opposed the BJP's plan to hoist national flag in Lal Chowk Srinagar contending that it would have led to vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in the state. In Srinagar, the flag hoisting ceremony was held at Bakshi Stadium where Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather unfurled the national flag. Six BJP activists making a vain bid to hoist the flag were arrested in Srinagar. The government also foiled the plan of some fringe elements to march towards Lal Chowk. In Ranchi, Jharkhand Governor M O H Farook said the state has launched a multi-pronged strategy to combat Left-wing extremism. Asking the rebels to shun the path of violence, which he said could never be the solution to any problem. He appealed the 'alienated' youth to join the mainstream and contribute in the development of the society.Assam Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik said the proposed peace talks with the ULFA and other insurgent outfits in the state have heralded the beginning of a new age in the state. Unfurling the tricolour at the Latasil Parade ground in Guwahati, Patnaik said a conducive atmosphere had been created for peace talks following ceasefire agreements with various militant outfits in the state.The Republic Day was celebrated amid tight security deployment in Manipur in the backdrop of a boycott call given by several insurgent organisations.In his message to the people, the Governor appealed to insurgents and militants to lay down arms and join the mainstream by participating in development programmes being launched for welfare of the general public.Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh called upon the people to resolve to make 2011 a violence-free year.In Kohima, Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar appealed to the tribes of border districts to reconsider their demand for a separate state and join hands with the government's endeavour for inclusive growth and development in the state. In Meghalaya, people took part in the functions defying certain banned militant outfits’ bandh call. Addressing the main function in Shillong, Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary said, the recent outbreak of violence in certain parts of the Garo Hills has left unpleasant memory in the minds of the people. In Mizoram, the national flag was hoisted by the Governor M M Lakhera in state capital Aizawl. In Haryana, Governor Jagannath Pahadia unfurled the tricolor at Panchkula and commended the role of the freedom fighters and brave soldiers.In Karnataka, Governor H.R. Bharadwaj called on people to lend their hand in rooting out corruption in a sustained manner to achieve visible success.In Uttarakhand, the main function was organised in Parade ground at Dehradun where Governor Margret Alva unfurled the tri-colour and the customary salute.In Himachal Pradesh, functions were organized at State, District, Sub-Divisional and Tehsil-level to mark the occasion.In Kerala Governor R S Gavai unfurled the tri-colour and inspected the impressive parade.In Uttar Pradesh main function was organised at state capital Lucknow in front of Vidhan Bhawan. Governor BL Joshi took the salute of ceremonial march past of contingents including Army, Para Military Forces, Police and NCC.In Bihar, amid tight security arrangements Governor Devanand Kuer unfurled tricolor at historical Patna Gandhi Maidan . On this occasion Kuer said the state government has already started seizing the property of the corrupt people. He said schools will be opened in the seized buildings.In Andhra Pradesh, Governor E.S.L. Narsimhan called upon people to shun violence in all forms and appealed to maintain peace and public order.In Gujarat state level function was held at Surat, where the Governor Dr. Kamala unfurled tricolorIn Punjab, addressing the Republic Day function at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar, the Governor Shivraj V. Patil said the people have to work collectively for maintaining peace and prosperity in the state as well as in the country.In West Bengal, a colorfull parade was organized at the Red Road in Kolkata.In Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan said in Mumbai that the state has retained its position as the most favoured investment destination in India, having attracted the highest number of Foreign Direct Investment proposals in the country.In Madhya Pradesh, the main function on this occasion was organized in capital Bhopal where governor Rameshwar Thakur hoisted the tricolor and inspected the paraded.In Odisha, Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare hoisted the tricolour and took salute at the state-level parade organised at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar.In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot hoisted the tricolor at Jaipur.Reports of celebrations from other parts of the country are pouring in.