A group of 149 UAE Presidential Guard, the Air Force, the Navy, and the Army contingent drove by a UAE band comprising of 35 artists
walked on Rajpath presenting a ‘ceremonial salute’ to the President of India. Image Courtesy – http://www.india.com.

The 68th Republic Day parade at Rajpath this year saw a string of new events. Starting from the tremendous flypast by indigenously constructed light aircraft – Tejas, the march past by National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, nation’s military was at full show along the 3km area from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

One of the significant attractions this year was the marching contingent from UAE. A group of 149 UAE Presidential Guard, the Air Force, the Navy, and the Army contingent drove by a UAE band comprising of 35 artists walked on Rajpath presenting a ‘ceremonial salute’ to the President of India. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces ‘Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’ was the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations.

Motorcycle daredevils at Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. Image Courtesy – http://www.india.com.

Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister of India are observing
the parade. Image Courtesy – http://www.india.com.

Motorcycle daredevils at Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. Image Courtesy – http://www.india.com.

Policewomen took part in a full-dress rehearsal in Guwahati. Image Courtesy – http://blogs.wsj.com.

Armed forces and scout guide students took part in march past at Bhubaneswar. Image Courtesy – http://blogs.wsj.com.

The national capital was wrapped in significant security cover with huge number of security personnel keeping a strict vigil to avert any terrorist attack or untoward incidents during the 68th Republic Day celebrations. More than 50,000 security persons were sent crosswise over Delhi to keep any untoward incidents.

‘Mobile hit’ groups, ‘anti-aircraft guns’, ‘sharpshooters’ etc. were placed to keep a watch on the eight-km-long parade area from Rajpath to Red Fort along with nearby territories.

There were insight inputs that terrorist groups may attempt to do attacks. Delhi Police was sent an extraordinary counselling illuminating them that terrorist groups may utilize creatures to target gatherings of people like rail stations to make an immediate panic.