New Delhi: Animals marched shoulder-to-shoulder with humans and machines down the majestic Rajpath, captivating audience at the 54th Republic Parade on January 26.

While bedecked camels, caparisoned elephants and sturdy horses walked on their own, lion, rabbit, deer, sheep, saras (cranes) and fish participated in dummy form enthralling viewers, particularly children, under the watchful eyes of a huge lion capitol opposite the dais.

The popular lion and clever rabbit tale from the Panchatantra, depicted in the tableau of Central Public Works Department (CPWD), proved to be a hit with the audience.

A great admirer of children, President A P J Abdul Kalam on his first Republic Day as President not only waved to all participants of school contingents from the saluting dais, but also stood up and waved as the National Bravery Award winners passed by him on caparisoned elephants.

It was an interesting moment to watch a great soldier Abdul salute his namesake scientist President. Cheers went up when major Abdul Saluke, who led the military's indomitable war machines atop a T-90 tank, saluted his Supreme Commander Abdul Kalam.

It was a poignant moment when a grateful nation decorated posthumously two real-life heroes subedar Surendra Singh and subedar Suresh Chandra Yadav, who laid down their lives fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and Akshardham temple in Gujarat respectively. Many an eye welled with tears, as President Kalam presented the 'Ashok Chakra', the highest peacetime honour to their wives Santosh Kaur and Chandra Yadav.

PTI