New Delhi: With thaw in India-Pakistan relations, a large number of people today (Jan 26, 2004) joined troops in unfurling the tricolour amidst jubilation along the line of control (LoC) and International Border (IB) for the first time in 15 years in Jammu and Kashmir as the rest of the country celebrated the Republic Day amidst tight security.

The strike call by the hard-line Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani in Jammu and Kashmir and by insurgent groups in North East failed to have much impact.

Ignoring boycott and strike calls by several insurgents' groups in North Eastern States, people turned out in large number to join official functions to mark the occasion.

Hoisting of tricolours, impressive parades and cultural extravaganzas across the country marked the occasion as North Eastern States appealed to militants to shun violence and join the mainstream.

In the national capital, the country's military prowess and rich cultural diversity were paraded down the Rajpath as President A P J Abdul Kalam took the salute in the presence of top political leadership and chief guest Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

As choppers hovered overhead and sharpshooters kept vigil from rooftops to thwart any terrorist strikes, the parade, led by General Officer Commanding of Delhi Area Maj Gen Thomas Mathew, unveiled virtually the entire armoury of Army, Navy and Air Force.