Rajpath gazed in awe at fly-past

Kamal Baruah

(The writer can be reached at kamalbaruah@yahoo.com)

Soon after hearing patriotic songs at Lutyens' Delhi, the streets are humming with preparation for the mega event, while flags and banners are soaring high around the national capital. The music has a soothing vibe on those days. With the temperature falls drastically in January, Delhitessoak in the sun near India Gate and sing hymns with the loudspeakers in nationalistic pride. Even people across the country have flocked to Delhi to experience the fanfare of the RD Parade from the Full Dress Rehearsal itself. Republic Day is allabout India's heritage, diversity and military might at display for the nation,where India is celebrating her 75th anniversary of independence to commemorate AzadikaAmritMahotsav.

This writer had the privilege of participating Air Force Contingent for RD Parade 1990 and had been witnessing it closely from the capital for a couple of years. Contingents march in synchronize to show their majesty. It was a nice feeling looking out across Army, Navy, Paramilitary, NCC and other participating groups on the embassy road Shanti Path and near South Avenue duringpractice. The opportunity to exchange headwear of regiments for photo ops was one of the main attractions. We mastered the art of the drill that instills teamwork, esprit de corps and discipline. It was made possible by rigorous training for we rehearse a couple of months before the mega eveny actually begun.

As the tri-services' Guard of Honour performed 'Salami Shastra' followed by 'Shok Shastra', 73rd year of Republic Day has begun with laying floral wreath at Amar JawanJyoti by the Prime Minister followed by two minutes of silence for the memorial to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial. Later President arrived from the Rashtrapati Bhavan escorted by BSF Camel Contingent of President's Bodyguard. With the tune of National Anthem, the 21-gun salute is fired by cannons out to the sky, while Indian tricolor unfurled by the President in the air.

India's highest peacetime military decoration 'Ashok Chakra' is awarded for conspicuous bravery on that occasion. Republic Day is underway as the parade commander approaches the Saluting Dias, flower petals are showered by Mi-17 helicopters. Despite mist and shallow fog in the morning, battle tanks of the Indian Army roll down the Rajpath. Thousands of jubilant guests and visitors have been so enthralled by the marching contingents. Parade followed by tableaus from various states signifies their cultural heritage.It enthralls crowd from traditional dances of school children.

Besides showcasing Government's Flagship Programmes, enthusiastic visitors await with impatience for the magic offly-past in various formations. The flying display is the highlight of India's biggest ceremonial parade.Indian Air Force jets leave the audience spellbound while leaving a white trail in the blue sky. There are fighters to transport and helicopters in its toughest role, they rule and wreak havoc in the sky from the inspiration of the Gita "touch the sky with glory".

People gazed in awe at the "vertical Charlie" at the endwhen multirole combat jetsfly at low altitude, pull up vertically and conduct rolls before stabilizing at higher altitude. The sight of the supersonic fighters gets boomed and zoomed before public catch them with wonder.The sound of a sonic boom can be heard as Air Force fighters' triggered loud noise over the parade. To conquer those jet nerves, let's hold your breath and enjoy some amazing air combat maneuvers like loops, rolls, turns and split in low and fast.

This year Republic Day will even surprise more from Air Force, Navy and Army together to witness 'grandest fly-past ever' with 75 aircrafts including FightersJaguar (Amrit) and Mig-29 (Varuna);Surveillance P-81 (Varuna) and AEW&C;Copters Mi-17, ALC, Mi-35, Apache and Chinook; Vintage Dakota; light transport Dornier and Cargo C-130 in various formationsover the Rajpath. 'Vinaash, 'Baaz' and 'Vijay' formations from the Rafale would be the main attraction this time. Let's hold on your hats and witness some real action ofsynchronized display before it finally fly away towards the distant Air Base.