India Thursday celebrated its 63rd Republic Day, showcasing its military might and the nation's rich cultural heritage. The main ceremonial parade was held in the capital with Thailand's first woman Prime Minister Yinluck Shinawatra as the guest of honour. The ceremony began around 10 am with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laying a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay tribute to an unknown soldier.
This was followed by a grand parade from on the Rajpath highlighting the might of Indian armed forces as neatly uniformed men and women marched past, shoulder-to-shoulder, saluting President Pratibha Patil on the dais.
Sneha Shekhawat from Sikar in Rajasthan on Thursday created history when she led the Air Force contingent at the 63rd Republic Day parade becoming the first woman pilot to do so.
Flight Lieutenant Shekhawat was assisted by three other women Flying Officers Heena Pore, Anupam Chaudhary and Pooja Negi as the 144-strong Air Force contingent marched to the tunes of 'Air Battle'.
She was cheered by thousands of spectators as the commentator mentioned that she is the first woman to lead an Air Force contingent in the 63-year-old history of the parade.Shekhawat is posted with the IAF squadron at Hindon air base.
Courtesy: TOI.