The country is celebrating the 62nd Republic Day today with patriotic fervor and gaiety. The Parade began shortly after the President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil arrived at the Rajpath escorted by the President's 46 bodyguards riding the well-trained bedecked horses.The synchronised military and police contingents led by General Officer Commanding Delhi Majour General Manvendra Singh marched proudly through the Rajpath as the President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed forces took the salute. The march-past was watched by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who was the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade, the Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and the country's top political and military brass. Our correspondent says strict security arrangements were in place. Snipers kept a hawk-eye vigil from rooftops and armed personnel at every corner provided a ground-to-air security apparatus.