A strong and resurgent India is celebrating its 64th Republic Day today. This year’s parade will highlight the nation’s achievements in various fields, the military prowess, scintillating display of air power as also country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
The highlights of the Parade will be the above 5,000 kilometre range Agni-Five missile, advanced Long Range Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile capable of being launched from anywhere in any direction and within a few minutes from a self-contained Road Mobile Launcher, a mini version of INS Vikramaditya which will join the Naval fleet by the end of this year, Main Battle Tank Arjun, Super Sonic Cruise Missile Brahmos Weapon System, Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System and Chemical, Biological and Radiological Nuclear Recce Vehicle.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.
The parade will begin with President Pranab Mukherjee taking the salute. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk will be the Chief Guest at the parade.
Tableaux from 19 states and Central Ministries and Departments will present the country’s progress in different fields as well as historical and cultural heritage.
Twenty-one of the 22 children selected for the National Bravery Award-2012 will also participate in the parade. One child has got the award posthumously.
The grand finale of the parade will be a spectacular flypast by the Indian Air Force.
All India Radio will broadcast a running commentary on the parade and cultural pageant in Hindi and English from 9.20 a.m. onwoards.
All AIR stations including local Radio Stations and FM channels will relay the commentary. News bulletins in Hindi at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and English at 10.05 a.m. will stand cancelled.
The news bulletins in English at 12 noon will also be cancelled if the commentary goes beyond 12 noon.
In case the commentary exceeds 12.05 p.m.the Hindi news bulletin at 12.05 p.m. will also be cancelled. A special Newsreel will be broadcast today from 8.15 p.m. to 8.42 p.m.
Eloborate security arrangements have been put in place to keep a tight vigil. The services of Delhi Metro are partially curtailed today.
Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Khan Market, Race Course, Barakhamba Road, Mandi House and Pragati Maidan Metro stations will remain closed from 06.00 AM up to 12.30 PM.
However, passengers can use the interchange facility at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat.
