APD | India celebrates its 71st Republic Day

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

New Delhi, Jan. 26 (APD) - India celebrated its 71st Republic Day on Sunday, as Brazilian president Jair Messias Bolsonaro was the chief guest at this year’s parade.

The parade showcased military hardware, the anti-tank attack Apache helicopters and anti-satellite missile technology.

Army battalions also marched in the parade, while each province of the country displayed its culture in their tableaux.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian president Jair Messias Bolsonaro and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind took the salute.

Home minister Amit Shah, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Human Resources Development minister, Ramesh Pokriyal, were also present at the ceremony that lasted for one and a half hours.

A contingent of women bikers of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force, participated in the parade for the first time.

The Indian Air force showcased three C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft and three C-17 Globemasters in the parade.

On the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to soldiers who lost their lives in battles, at the National War Memorial.

Chief of Defence Staff, Bipin Rawat, along with the Indian Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, Navy Chief Karambir Singh and Air Force chief R.K.S. Bhadauria, joined the prime minister at the memorial.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)