M A I N   N E W S

Nation celebrates R-Day amid tight security

NEW DELHI, Jan 26 (PTI) — Unfurling of the Tricolour, march pasts, cultural programmes and floats depicting achievements in various spheres and launching of new schemes marked the golden jubilee Republic Day celebrations amidst tight security in the country today.

In their address, Governors and Chief Ministers of various states and Union Territories called upon the people to work unitedly for the nation's progress and development.

President K.R. Narayanan and his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo (left) greet guests selected from the general public to attend the Indian president's annual party on the occasion of Republic Day, 26 January 2000, in New Delhi. Obasanjo is on a three-day official visit to India as the chief guest for the annual Republic Day celebrations.

The main function was held in New Delhi, where a grand ceremonial parade showcasing the nation's military prowess, cultural diversity and remarkable progress marked the celebrations of the first Republic Day of the new millennium. Thousands of people lined up on both sides of the majestic Rajpath to witness the spectacle, which featured for the first time the elite paratroopers, marine and para commandos and Agni-II, the indigenously developed long range missile, besides colourful tableaux, cultural programmes by students and a breathtaking flypast led by Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, the most sophisticated warplane in India's inventory

The 51st Republic Day Parade, held amidst unprecedented security, got off to a flying start with showering of rose petals over spectators by four MI-8 helicopters which was preceded by a 21-gun salute to President K R Narayanan, who arrived at the saluting base escorted by his 46 bodyguards.

The main function was held in New Delhi, where a grand ceremonial parade showcasing the nation's military prowess, cultural diversity and remarkable progress marked the celebrations of the first Republic Day of the new millennium.

President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was the chief guest on the occasion. President Obasanjo is an alumnus of the Indian Staff College at Wellington.

Four persons were awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the nation's highest gallantry award, for displaying valour of the highest order during "Operation Vijay" in the Kargil conflict. Captain Vikram Batra and Lieutenant Manoj Pandey were both awarded the PVC posthumously.

A hush descended upon Rajpath as their fathers walked up to the dais to receive the award. Grenadier Yogendra Singh and Rifleman Sanjay Kumar were the other recipients. Major Sudhir Kumar was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award.

Thousands of people lined up on both sides of the majestic Rajpath to witness the spectacle, which featured for the first time the elite paratroopers, marine and para commandos and Agni-II, the indigenously developed long range missile, besides colourful tableaux, cultural programmes by students and a breathtaking flypast led by Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, the most sophisticated warplane in India's inventory.

Earlier, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Bhai Mahavir took the salute at an impressive march past by contingents of various security forces at the state-level function in Bhopal.

Tableaux representing the development work undertaken by various departments were displayed, while school children presented a cultural show.

In Pondicherry, Lt Governor Dr Rajani Rai unfurled the National Flag, inspected a guard of honour and witnessed a march past held by contingents of NCC, police, home guards and school children.

Independent MLA Malladi Krishna Rao, representing Yanam constituency, was presented the best legislator award by the Lt Governor. This is the first time that an MLA was honoured on the ceremonial occasion.

Among those present were Chief Minister R V Janakiraman, Ministers, MLAs, MPs and freedom fighters.

Mizoram Governor A Padmanaban said in Aizawl the site for setting up the proposed Central university in the state had been finalised and construction would begin soon. Besides, an engineering college was also proposed to be set up.

Unfurling the Tricolour, he said the government had chalked out developmental programmes giving priority to self-sufficiency in food, growth of agro-horticulture sector, promotion of agro-based industries, power generation and removal of rural poverty.

In Jaipur, Rajasthan Governor Anshuman Singh unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at a parade and presented medals and awards to civil and police personnel.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot, his Cabinet Colleagues, state Congress Chief Girija Vyas and several other dignitaries were present.

In Uttar Pradesh, Governor Suraj Bhan took the salute at an impressive marchpast in front of the Vidhan Sabha and exhorted the people to maintain national unity and contribute towards the development of the state. Chief Minister Ram Prakash Gupta and his Cabinet colleagues were present.

The celebrations were on a low key throughout Orissa in view of the recent super-cyclone in the state. Governor M M Rrajendran took the salute at the state-level ceremonial parade at Bhubaneswar.

In Uttar Pradesh, Governor Suraj Bhan took the salute at an impressive marchpast in front of the Vidhan Sabha and exhorted the people to maintain national unity and contribute towards the development of the state. Chief Minister Ram Prakash Gupta and his Cabinet colleagues were present.

The celebrations were on a low key throughout Orissa in view of the recent super-cyclone in the state. Governor M M Rrajendran took the salute at the state-level ceremonial parade at Bhubaneswar.

He called upon the people to extend their cooperation in reconstruction of the state's economy shattered by the recent cyclone. Every effort should be made to instil confidence in the traumatised people, he added.

Chief Minister Hemananda Biswal took the salute at the Republic Day parade at Cuttack.

Unfurling the Tricolour in Patna, Bihar Governor Vinod Chandra Pandey expressed concern over growing population in the state and said there was a need for taking immediate steps to arrest it. He took salute of the marchpast by policemen, home guard jawans and NCC cadets at the parade.

In another state-level function in Ranchi, Chief Minister Rabri Devi cautioned the people against forces advocating carving out another state from Bihar and asked them to dedicate themselves for the uplift of the exploited.

"Those who talk of a separate state are the real enemies of the Jharkhandi masses.....The Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council (JAAC) is enough to fulfil the aspirations of the tribal people," she said hoisting the Tricolour.

Earlier, Rabri Devi accompanied by her husband RJD Chief Laloo Prasad Yadav watched a joint parade of the armed forces of Ranchi division.

In Chennai, Tamil Nadu Governor Fatima Beevi hoisted the National Flag at a well-attended function organised alongside the famous Marina beach.

Floats paying tributes to Kargil heroes, especially the three armymen from Tamil Nadu who sacrificed their lives, and the one on the need for a casteless society and on information technology drew the loudest applause from the gathering.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Cabinet Ministers and Mayor M K Stalin attended the function.

Manipur Governor Ved Prakash Marwah took the salute at the ceremonial march-past amid tight security in Imphal after unfurling the National Flag.

Two bomb blasts were reported this morning from different places in the city but there was no report of any casualty or damage, official sources said. Tight security was maintained throughout Imphal in view of the Republic Day boycott call given by some underground organisations in the region.

In Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Governor Dr C Rangarajan said there should be a determined effort to eschew violence of all forms, so that the path of economic progress can be laid in an atmosphere of peace.

"Peace and order are concomitant of a progressive and vibrant society and our goal must be to ensure that all sections of the society coming from all regions are adequately taken care of through ever-widening circles of economic opportunities", Dr Rangarajan said after unfurling the National Flag on Republic day here.

In an oblique reference to the spurt in violence unleashed by the outlawed Peoples' War Group (PWG) in some parts of the state, he said, "through wanton destruction of public property, which occurs, unfortunately from time to time, we only inflict damage on ourselves."

Earlier, the Governor inspected an impressive parade by 16 contingents. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Cabinet ministers, Congress leader Y S Rajasekhar Reddy were present.

In Agartala, Governor Sidheswar Prasad unfurled the Tricolour and took salute at an impressive parade and presented police medals on the occasion.

Despite militants' threat and call to boycott the Republic Day functions in the state, no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state, officials said.