In what has become a tradition of sorts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday broke the general protocol once again as he walked down Rajpath greeting the crowd at the end of India’s 69th Republic Day.
Modi waived and smiled at the people seated on the expansive lawns of India Gate flanking the boulevard soon after President Ram Nath Kovind left the venue along with the 10 Asean leaders, the Chief Guests at the parade.
Armed with FN P90 submachine guns and ballistic briefcases, security personnel of the Special Protection Group (SPG) kept pace with Modi and maintained a security ring around him.
India celebrated its Republic Day as the Rajpath, the capital’s main promenade, came alive with march pasts and colourful tableaux to showcase the country’s military might, cultural legacy and its initiatives, with 10 Asean leaders as chief guests watching the proceedings.
The parade ceremony commenced with Modi laying the wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to pay homage to the fallen soldier.
President Kovind took his first Republic Day salute from various wings of the Indian Army, the Air Force and the Navy.
Earlier, 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.