A date with the Republic

By Lakshmi Balakrishnan

NEW DELHI, JAN. 26. The biting January cold or formidable long distances did not keep them away. They might not wear patriotism on their sleeve or be overtly jingoistic, but the Republic Day Parade seemed to carry a charm all its own for most Delhiites who showed up along Rajpath here this morning.

And if there was one place in Delhi which remained untouched by the earthquake that shook most parts of the country on Friday, it was perhaps the majestic Rajpath where the Tricolour fluttered high.

For those who preferred to stay within the warm confines of their homes, it was perhaps just another holiday, a day that allowed them to catch up with sleep and family. But there were a great many who braved the cold and walked miles to watch a spectacle that is more than just a celebration of the Indian Republic.

Of course, the weather gods made it easier for those who made the effort. With the sun shining brightly, many of them unloaded the heavy woollens that they had come packed with. Even relentless frisking by securitymen failed to dampen the spirit, though quite a few visitors were disappointed on being asked to leave their valuables behind at the counter.

Even toddlers seemed to put up a brave front and follow the orders issued by the ``police aunties'' who frisked them for anything other than their innocence and enthusiasm that they might carry inside.

If watching the four roaring MI-8 helicopters whiz past overhead in an inverted ``Y'' formation made many children jump with joy, the petals that were showered down by the copters brought a smile to the most serious of faces. There may not have been any Kargil this time round, but display of the military might still seems to fascinate most spectators.

As they drove past the Saluting Base, the indigenously developed Prithvi missiles, the battle tank Arjun and other mechanised columns hogged most of the limelight, as did the Jaguar aircraft, MI-35 helicopters and MIG-21 BIS. And while the excitement seemed to mellow down when it was time for the tableaux to roll down, the cheers were back when daredevils of the ASC Tornadoes team rode down Rajpath in style.

Having broken their own record by forming a human pyramid of 181 men on 11 motorcycles, the Tornadoes left the audience spellbound with their daredevil acts. But flying away with most people's admiration was the fly-past by the Indian Air Force, a spectacle that had been reserved for the last. Asked to simply raise their heads to catch the spectacle, most people stood up to admire the awesome show. As they watched the last of the aircraft, a Sukhoi- 30, pull up to perform the ``Vertical Charlie'', even the bravest of hearts missed a few beats.

To cap it all at the end of the day, the Central Vista and Parliament House stood aglow in the evening with spectacular Republic Day illuminations.

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