Imphal, January 25 2009: A STRONG and resurgent India is celebrating its 60th Republic Day tomorrow at the nation's capital New Delhi.

This year's parade will highlight the nation�s achievements in various fields, the military prowess, scintillating display of air power as also our rich and diverse cultural heritage.

The Armed Forces will showcase the Bhishma T-90 tank, BrahMos missile, OSA-AK Weapon System, T-72 tanks, Network Operation Centre, ICV BMP-II Sarath, Takshak Striker, Advanced Light Helicopter - Dhruv etc.

The Republic Day celebrations will commence at India Gate where the Defence Minister Shri A K Antony will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti.

An eternal flame burns at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the indomitable courage of our Armed Forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland.

The Amar Jawan, the immortal soldier, is symbolised by a reversed rifle topped by a helmet.

As per tradition, after unfurling of the National Flag, the National Anthem will be played.

Thereafter President Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil will confer Ashok Chakra posthumously on 11 gallant soldiers of India.

The parade will then commence and the President Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil will take the salute.

This year�s Chief Guest in the parade will be President of Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev.

The parade will be commanded by Major General K J S Oberoi, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

Brig Kuldeep Singh will be the parade Second-in-Command.

The marching contingents of Army will be from the Parachute Regiment, Rajput Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, Territorial Army Punjab, J&K Rifles and Ladakh Scouts.

The marching contingents of Navy comprising 144 men will be led by Lt.Commander Anshul Awasthy and the Air Force contingent comprising 148 men will be led by Sq.

Ldr.

Robinder Singh Zenda.

The marching contingents of para-military and other auxiliary civil forces will include contingents from Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Railway Protection Force, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme.

The Camel mounted Band and Contingent of the BSF will also participate.

Tableaux from 12 states and 6 Central Ministries and Departments will present the varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the country.

They will also showcase country�s progress in different fields.

Nineteen of the 20 children selected for the National Bravery Award � 2008 will also participate in the parade riding on open jeeps.

One has got the award posthumously.

In the children�s pageant section, children from Remal Public Senior Secondary School, Rohini, Delhi and North-East Zone cultural centre, Dimapur are participating.

The motorcycle display team of the Corps of Signals, popularly known as DARE DEVILS will be a major attraction of the parade.

Capt.

Jitender Siwach will lead the team.

They will perform breathtaking stunts in a synchronised and synergistic display of mind, body and machine coordination.

The grand finale of the parade will be a spectacular IAF's flypast led by Mi-35 helicopters in Chakra formation which will be followed by an IL-76, two AN-32 and two Dorniers in big boy formation led by Wing Commander J Narula.

After the Big Boy Formation one IL78 lead by Wg Cdr N R Kharkar will display tanker formation.

Thereafter 5 Jaguars led by Wg Cdr Maluk Singh will come in Arrow Head Formation which will be followed by the BAAZ formation of 5 MIG-29 aircrafts.

The breath taking Trishul formation comprising three SU-30 MKI would speed down the Rajpath and once in front of the dias, the SU-30MKI aircraft in the centre would carry out a vertical Charlie manoeuvre.

The ceremony will culminate with the National Anthem and release of balloons.

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