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Heavy fog enveloped Delhi early Monday as the 55th Republic Day parade unfolded on Rajpath without the customary showering of flowers from helicopters carrying tricolour and flags of the three services.
The fog also prevented the first flight of the indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopter over Rajpath.
However, there was no dampening the parade, which showcased India's military might and cultural diversity in the form of colourfully attired marching contingents, dance troupes, children and tableaux.
President A P J Abdul Kalam presided over the colourful ceremony in the presence of country's top political leaders and the chief guest, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
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General Officer Commanding of Delhi Area, Maj Gen Thomas Mathew, led the parade, which virtually showcased the entire armoury of the army, navy and air force.
On display were Indian armed forces' latest acquisitions like Agni-II long-range missiles, fast-moving attack vehicle Windy-505, Pilotless Target Aircraft, Advance Light Helicopters and Transportable Satellite Terminals.
The event also featured two mounted columns, 13 mechanised columns and 18 marching squads of the army, three contingents each of the navy and air force, besides 23 marching contingents from paramilitary and police forces.
Defence Research and Development Organisation showcased its work in the defence field through six tableaux.
The programme began with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee leading the nation in paying tributes to the martyred soldiers by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.
The buglers sounded the 'Last Post' and a two-minute silence was observed.
The prime minister then drove to the saluting dais.
The President arrived escorted by his 46 ceremonial bodyguards riding tall and elegant horses. He was accompanied by the Brazilian president.
The President unfurled the tricolour amid the roar of a 21-gun salute.
Paratrooper Sanjog Chhatri, who laid down his life fighting terrorists in Surankot area of Jammu last year, and Lieutenant Triveni Singh, who died in a close combat with terrorists at Jammu railway station on January 2, were awarded Ashok Chakra, the country's highest peacetime gallantry award. Sanjog's sister, who accepted the honour, was inconsolable as she walked back to her seat. Singh's father proudly received the Ashok Chakra.
With the tune of Cavalry Brigade, the mounted column of the only surviving horse unit, 61 Cavalry, in their former Gwalior Lancers dress then rode past the saluting dais.
Following them was a mounted contingent of the Army Service Corps, making a comeback at the R-Day parade after a two-year break.
The Mechanised Columns were led by the Army Aviation which unveiled three Advanced Light Helicopters flying at 150 km per hour at an altitude of 100 metres AOL (above obstruction level) in 'Astern' formation.
T-90 'Bhishma' tanks rolled down the Rajpath followed by a contingent of T-72 'Ajeya' tanks and Main Battle Tank Arjun.
A column of 155 MM Howitzer (FH-77B) gun system, the mainstay of the army's might, was the next to roll by amid
cheers from spectators.
Following it was indigenously-developed surface-to-surface Prithvi missile.
The nation's pride, Agni-II, highlighted India's deterrence capability.
Tunguska Air Defence Weapons System, a unique combination of missiles and guns on a moving platform, Improved Reporter Radar mounted on Tatra, and mine plough fitted Engineer Recce Vehicle followed suit.
Transportable Satellite Communication Vehicle and fast-moving combat vehicle 'Windy-505' rolled down the Rajpath for the first time and was followed by Infantry Combat vehicles.
The cultural section included the tableaux of Kerala showcasing the legendary folk art form Teyyam, Maharashtra (Ajanta cave paintings), Chhattisgarh (Dussehra festival of Bastar), Delhi (Amir Khusro), Lakshadweep (environment and coconut), Gujarat (vibrant Gujarat) and Assam (folk toys), Himachal Pradesh (rock cut temple complex of Masroor), Nagaland (hornbill festival), Bihar (Aryabhatta), J&K (folk dances), Punjab (sammi folk dance), Goa (musical heritage), Uttar Pradesh (Banarasi sari and embroidery), Madhya Pradesh (Kalidas Ujjaini), Meghalaya (Living Bridge) and Orissa (rath yatra).
The tableaux of various ministries and departments included those from power, HRD, tourism, railways, youth affairs and sports, rural development, health and family welfare, agro and rural industries, justice and CPWD.
This year's 26 bravery award winners -- nine girls and 17 boys -- rode caparisoned elephants past the saluting dais.
Children's pageants and cultural programmes were next in line to delight the audience.
With Inputs from Press Trust of India
