New Delhi, Jan 22 (PTI) The ASEAN flag will fly in thesky over Rajpath for the first time this Republic Day as 10leaders of the grouping will attend the glittering function,which will showcase India's military might.
Five Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the Indian Air Force wouldprecede the parade commander and the lead helicopter willcarry the national flag.
The second helicopter will carry ASEAN flag and the otherthree choppers would carry the flags of the Army, Navy and theAir Force, while the echelon aircraft would shower flowerpetals, according to an office memorandum issued by the HomeMinistry today.
In an unprecedented event, leaders of all the 10 ASEANmember countries -- Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia,the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei-- will be chief guests at the ceremonial parade at Rajpath onJanuary 26.
A total of 23 tableaux from various states and centralgovernment departments on development, cultural and historicalthemes will be participating in this year's Republic Dayparade.
Some of the tableaux on cultural themes will haveintegrated folk dance.
President Ram Nath Kovind will drive in straight toRajpath and take the salute at the ceremonial march past whichwill consist of units drawn from the three services,paramilitary forces and other auxiliary civil forces, NCC etc.
The duration of this year's Republic Day parade will bearound 90 minutes, the office memorandum said.
On behalf of the central government, around 61 tribalguests from various parts of the country have been invited towitness the Republic Day celebrations.
These tribal guests and tableau artists will call on thePresident, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister and theTribal Affairs Minister and will be taken on sightseeing toursin around Delhi.
As many as 15 national bravery award winning childrenseated in open jeeps will also form part of the culturalpageant. PTI ACBSMN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.