January 26: A nation celebrates

The parade had an impressive airshow that included a mixed formation of five 'Big Boy' transport aircraft, a formation of IL-78 tankers and two Sukhoi-30 MKIs fuelling mid-air with five Jaguars breezing past in arrowhead formation.

The best was kept for the last as three booming Sukhoi-30 aircraft performed the dangerous, but breathtaking 'Vertical Charlie' manoeuvre wherein three jets flying in arrowhead formation split with two flying on the either side and one zooming towards the sky.

As the roaring jets disappeared into the distant skies, thousands of colourful balloons, many carrying the tricolour, were released into the air signifying freedom in a symbolic way.

Sukhoi fighter jets fly past during India's 57th Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

Photograph: Raveendran/AFP/Getty Images