India’s military prowess and multi-hued images of the country’s rich cultural diversity and achievements in various fields were on display at the majestic Rajpath on Tuesday during 67th Republic Day parade which was graced by French President Francois Hollande as the chief guest.Hollande was seated between President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who wore a marigold coloured ‘ safa ‘(turban). Modi was seen explaining things to Hollande on several occasions during the one-and-a-half-hour-long event.Thousands of people on both sides of the imposing Rajpath, India’s ceremonial boulevard facing the seat of power Raisina Hills, braved the winter chill and cheered loudly as the marching contingents and tableux went past them.Rare natural abode of Asiatic lions in Gir, Madhya Pradesh’s white tiger safari, works of BR Ambedkar and initiatives like ‘Swachh Bharat’ and ‘Digital India’ were among the themes this year for the Republic Day tableaux.A total of 23 tableaux were on display with 17 of them belonging to various states and Union Territories.This year the duration of the parade has been curtailed from more than two hours to 90 minutes.French Army soldiers created history by marching down the Rajpath during the Republic Day parade, becoming the first foreign military contingent to take part in the celebrations.Led by Lt Col Paul Bury of the French Army’s 35th Infantry Regiment, one of the oldest regiments of France, the 76-member contingent marched before an audience.
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