New Delhi: The Make in India tableau stole the show at the Republic Day parade on Monday.
The float, which displayed a working model of the ‘Make in India’ lion, invited manufacturers and investors to participate in the initiative.
Among the other tableaus of note were that of the Ayush Ministry; the Department of Atomic energy, which was celebrating its diamond jubilee; the Law Ministry, which showcased a ‘walk for justice’; and the Gujarat state float, which featured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Republic Day parade chief guest US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at their arrival at the saluting dais at Rajpath.
Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived at the venue and shook hands with the Chief of the Army, Navy and Air Force Staff General Dalbir Singh, Admiral RK Dhowan and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha respectively.
Prime Minister Modi also paid tribute at the ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’, the memorial dedicated to martyrs who sacrificed their lives in service of the nation.
The Republic Day celebrations started with the unfurling of the national flag by the President.
India also witnessed the first march by women army, navy and air force personnel at the Republic Day parade.
President Mukherjee also presented the prestigious Ashok Chakra award to Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh posthumously.
President Obama is the first U.S. president to attend the Republic Day celebrations and is also the first U.S. president to visit the country twice while in office.
(ANI)
