It was a historic moment on Saturday, as Pratibha Patil, who drove to the Rajpath in her motorcade along with her French counterpart Nicholas Sarkozy, became the first woman to take the salute in her capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces at Delhi's Rajpath on the 59th Republic Day.
Her husband Devisingh Shekhawat, who was mistakenly identified as Devisingh 'Patil' once by the commentator, was beside her when she took salute.
The crowds were out in full flow for the parade and amidst heavy security cover, the procession moved from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhawan to the Red Fort.
As always, India's weaponry was on display and for the first time this year, the new Agni-3 missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead more than 3000 kilometers.
And while the parade was held in Delhi, the school contingents from across the country truly made it a slice of India.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy, the Chief Guest at this year's parade, is on a two-day visit to India, during which several agreements between India and France have been signed. They include pacts on defence and civil nuclear cooperation, transfer of technology trade and education.
The different regiments of the Army, Navy and the Air Force in all their finery and official decorations made it a grand occasion.
A march past by the armed forces was followed by a fly past by India air force jets. Four army men were awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest gallantry award.
And the tableaux this year by various states and departments were as colourful as ever.
In the wake of intelligence warning about possible terror strikes all intelligence agencies were on high alert.
Delhi was made a no-fly zone during the Republic Day parade, and public transport services including the Delhi metro train service were suspended till 1.30 pm. Around 20,000 security personnel were deployed across the capital while commandoes of the ITBP and Delhi Police took positions at strategic locations. (With PTI inputs)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
First INDIAN Woman President to take Salute on Repulic Day March...!!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
TATA'S NANO--- THE PEOPLE'S CAR(RS 1 LAC)
And simple the Nano is. The two-cylinder engine is rear-mounted and has a capacity of just 634 cc -- enough to produce a meager 30 horsepower. It's a similar displacement and power rating to the popular Fiat 600 city car of the 1950s and 60s. The four-door Nano seats four people "comfortably" and is just over ten feet long (more than two feet shorter than the Honda Fit) and less than five feet wide -- perfect for negotiating those narrow New Delhi streets.
Two trim levels are available -- "Standard" and "Luxury" -- though the latter moniker is likely highly relative. The primary difference we see between the two models is the alloy wheels installed on the Luxury model (as opposed to steel items on the Standard version).
The Nano utilizes a CVT transmission and is expected to get up to 50 mpg. The vehicle has already passed all relevant Indian crash tests and emissions regulations, and is reported to be able to pass selected international crash tests. Tata says that the Nano also features exceptionally low emissions that rival even two-wheeled transportation in India.
Tata is currently the largest automaker in India and is currently in negotiations with Ford for the purchase of luxury British automakers Jaguar and Land Rover.
India captain Anil Kumble joined the 600-wicket club
Kumble got rid of the dangerous looking Andrew Symonds to reach the summit that no Indian bowler has ever reached before him.
Captaining India can be a huge burden, especially when up against the best team in the world. Anil Kumble, though, as the cricket world has discovered over the last few decades is a cricketer who rises to the challenge in the face of adversity.
Kumble is the highest wicket taker currently in the series, the only Indian bowler who has consistently threatened the Aussies. Kumble announced his intent of leading from the front on day one of the series on Boxing Day - 5-84.
Over the years Kumble has been India's colossus; the man every Indian skipper turned to when a breakthrough was needed. He has been India's greatest match winner. In 41 Test wins he has been part of, Kumble has 279 wickets at an average of just 18.
Pakistan bore witness to Kumble's amazing skill. He ran though them on a memorable winter afternoon in Delhi - all 10 for 74 - only the second man to take ten wickets in an innings in Tests.
And who can forget the joy on the face of the man when he scored his first ever Test hundred against England at the Oval; the only hundred by an Indian batsman in the series.
The happenings of the last week have elevated Kumble's status from just a mere statesman of the game. The legend of Anil Kumble is growing with every passing day.