India today celebrated its 62nd Republic Day showcasing its military might and cultural diversity. From Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala and from Gujarat to Assam tens of thousands of people 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.In Jammu and Kashmir, a series of functions and flag hoisting ceremonies were organised to mark the Republic Day. The main function was held at Jammu where the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hoisted the national tri-colour. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Abdullah urged those political forces who are outside the mainstream politics to join the dialogue process initiated by interlocutors and called for utilising the present conducive atmosphere to address the political issues of Jammu and Kashmir. 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.Nagaland celebrated Republic Day with much grandeur. In Kohima the main event was held at the Secretariat Plaza where Governor Nikhil Kumar while addressing the gathering, said that Nagaland is firmly on the path of social and economic transformation and deserve good infrastructure, good education and gainful employment, which he said is possible through peace in the State.In Assam, defying several militant groups’ boycott call, large numbers of people gathered in the Republic parade grounds to witness the colourful programmes organized on the occasion. Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik unfurled the national tricolor at Guwahati this morning.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 Arunachal Pradesh, state Governor Gen Retd J.J. Singh said development could be brought only when there is peace. Addressing the Republic Day function in Itanagar today, he asked the people to shed differences and work as a team.In Mizoram, the national flag was hoisted by the Governor M M Lakhera in state capital Aizawl.Reports of Republic Day celebrations have come from every nook and corner of the country.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.