India celebrated its 69th Republic Day at the Rajpath on Friday with 10 ASEAN&nbsp;leaders as chief guests in attendance. With impressive march pasts and colourful tableaux to showcase the country`s military might, cultural legacy, the day&#39;s ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to pay homage to the fallen soldier.

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<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/republic-day-parade-look-out-for-whats-new-30749">Also </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/republic-day-parade-look-out-for-whats-new-30749">read:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/republic-day-parade-look-out-for-whats-new-30749"> Republic Day parade 2018: Look out for what&#39;s new</a>

President Ram Nath Kovind took his first Republic Day salute from various wings of the Indian Army, the Air Force and the Navy on the occasion.&nbsp;

The parade was commanded by Lt. General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area. Major General Rajpal Punia, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Delhi Area was the parade second-in-command.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-celebrates-69th-republic-day-with-asean-leaders-as-chief-guest-30816">Also read: India celebrates 69th Republic Day with all 10 ASEAN leaders as chief guests</a>

The marching contingents started with flag bearer contingent displaying the ASEAN&nbsp;and 10 ASEAN&nbsp;countries` flags followed by the Indian Army Band drawn from 39 Gorkha Training Centre and 1 EME Centre.

Earlier, President Kovind presented the Ashok Chakra - India`s highest peace-time gallantry award - to Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala`s widow and mother. The 31-year-old IAF commando was killed in an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir last year that also led to the killing of six terrorists.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/republic-day-bsf-soldier-dara-singh-to-march-rajpath-for-record-18th-time-30814">Also read: Republic Day: BSF soldier Dara Singh to march Rajpath for record 18th time</a>

India for the first time in its history of republic hosted 10 heads of state or government of the ASEAN&nbsp;countries as guests of honour for the annual parade.

The Indian Army`s T-90 tank (Bhishma), Ballway Machine Pikate (II/IIK), Brahmos Missile System, weapon locating radar (Swathi), bridge laying tank T-72, mobile base transceiver station and Akash weapon system were the main draw in the mechanised columns.

The marching contingent of the Army included horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, the Punjab Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry, the Dogra Regiment, Ladakh Scouts, the Regiment of Artillery and 123 Infantry Battalion - Territorial Army (Grenadiers) followed by the tableau of ex-Servicemen.

The marching contingent of the Navy comprised 144 young sailors led by Lieutenant Tushar Gautam.

The Indian Air Force contingent also had 144 men led by Squadron Leader Attal Singh Shekhon.&nbsp;

The paramilitary and other auxiliary civil forces included the Border Security Force marching as well as Camel Contingents, Indian Coast Guard, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme.

President Ram Nath Kovind took his first Republic Day salute from various wings of the Indian Army, the Air Force and the Navy on the occasion.

India celebrated its 69th Republic Day at the Rajpath on Friday with 10 ASEAN leaders as chief guests in attendance. With impressive march pasts and colourful tableaux to showcase the country`s military might, cultural legacy, the day's ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to pay homage to the fallen soldier. × Also read: Republic Day parade 2018: Look out for what's new President Ram Nath Kovind took his first Republic Day salute from various wings of the Indian Army, the Air Force and the Navy on the occasion. The parade was commanded by Lt. General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area. Major General Rajpal Punia, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Delhi Area was the parade second-in-command. Also read: India celebrates 69th Republic Day with all 10 ASEAN leaders as chief guests The marching contingents started with flag bearer contingent displaying the ASEAN and 10 ASEAN countries` flags followed by the Indian Army Band drawn from 39 Gorkha Training Centre and 1 EME Centre. Earlier, President Kovind presented the Ashok Chakra - India`s highest peace-time gallantry award - to Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala`s widow and mother. The 31-year-old IAF commando was killed in an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir last year that also led to the killing of six terrorists. Also read: Republic Day: BSF soldier Dara Singh to march Rajpath for record 18th time India for the first time in its history of republic hosted 10 heads of state or government of the ASEAN countries as guests of honour for the annual parade. The Indian Army`s T-90 tank (Bhishma), Ballway Machine Pikate (II/IIK), Brahmos Missile System, weapon locating radar (Swathi), bridge laying tank T-72, mobile base transceiver station and Akash weapon system were the main draw in the mechanised columns. The marching contingent of the Army included horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, the Punjab Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry, the Dogra Regiment, Ladakh Scouts, the Regiment of Artillery and 123 Infantry Battalion - Territorial Army (Grenadiers) followed by the tableau of ex-Servicemen. The marching contingent of the Navy comprised 144 young sailors led by Lieutenant Tushar Gautam. The Indian Air Force contingent also had 144 men led by Squadron Leader Attal Singh Shekhon. The paramilitary and other auxiliary civil forces included the Border Security Force marching as well as Camel Contingents, Indian Coast Guard, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme.

10 ASEAN chief guests in attendance, India displays military might, cultural diversity

For 47-year-old BSF soldier Dara Singh marching the Rajpath for a record 18th time is just a small tribute to his &lsquo;revered&rsquo; namesake and the iconic wrestler.

Singh, who first put his foot on the historic road in the national capital on January 26, 1996, is fondly addressed as &lsquo;Chacha&rsquo; and &lsquo;Sir&rsquo; by the greenhorn troopers of various marching contingents from paramilitary and defence forces.

The head constable will probably be the oldest among all the troopers from various forces during the parade on Friday.

&ldquo;It is the paltan (battalion) ki shaan (pride) that has to be ensured every time we hit the Rajpath. My age has never made me have a second thought in doing this task,&rdquo; Singh tells PTI at his preparatory camp in New Delhi.

Singh says he is as excited to step on the Rajpath as any first timer.

&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see anyone here who is my age. But, this also puts added responsibility on me as my seniors and instructors tell me that you are the one who will hold the contingent together,&rdquo; he says.

When asked about his namesake and iconic wrestler, the late Dara Singh, the jawan says: &ldquo;I stand no where near the great wrestler Dara Singh. He is like god. But, every time I walk the Rajpath and bring glory to my force, it is like paying a tribute to him.&rdquo;

The BSF team commander, deputy inspector general Pushpendra Singh Rathore, says the usual age profile of the marchers for this all-important parade is about 30 years.

&ldquo;It is Dara Singh&rsquo;s crisp and disciplined turn out that makes him different from others. He is marching the Rajpath tomorrow (Friday) for the 18th time and I don&rsquo;t think any of the personnel who will have that credit to boast,&rdquo; Rathore, who commanded the parade in 1997, said.

&ldquo;Dara Singh was with me then also (1997) and he is still around. He is a great motivation to the squad,&rdquo; the DIG says.

The 47-year-old will probably be the oldest of all troopers during the parade

For 47-year-old BSF soldier Dara Singh marching the Rajpath for a record 18th time is just a small tribute to his ‘revered’ namesake and the iconic wrestler. Singh, who first put his foot on the historic road in the national capital on January 26, 1996, is fondly addressed as ‘Chacha’ and ‘Sir’ by the greenhorn troopers of various marching contingents from paramilitary and defence forces. The head constable will probably be the oldest among all the troopers from various forces during the parade on Friday. “It is the paltan (battalion) ki shaan (pride) that has to be ensured every time we hit the Rajpath. My age has never made me have a second thought in doing this task,” Singh tells PTI at his preparatory camp in New Delhi. Singh says he is as excited to step on the Rajpath as any first timer. “I don’t see anyone here who is my age. But, this also puts added responsibility on me as my seniors and instructors tell me that you are the one who will hold the contingent together,” he says. When asked about his namesake and iconic wrestler, the late Dara Singh, the jawan says: “I stand no where near the great wrestler Dara Singh. He is like god. But, every time I walk the Rajpath and bring glory to my force, it is like paying a tribute to him.” The BSF team commander, deputy inspector general Pushpendra Singh Rathore, says the usual age profile of the marchers for this all-important parade is about 30 years. “It is Dara Singh’s crisp and disciplined turn out that makes him different from others. He is marching the Rajpath tomorrow (Friday) for the 18th time and I don’t think any of the personnel who will have that credit to boast,” Rathore, who commanded the parade in 1997, said. “Dara Singh was with me then also (1997) and he is still around. He is a great motivation to the squad,” the DIG says.

Republic Day parade: BSF soldier Dara Singh marches down Rajpath for record 18th time

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