For the bard of Bengal

Both the ministry of culture and railways tableau paid tribute to noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore to mark the 150th birth centenary of the poet. HT reports.

Both the ministry of culture and railways tableau paid tribute to noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore to mark the 150th birth centenary of the poet. The railways tableau recreated a train that the poet used to travel by between Kolkata and Bolpur and where he is supposed to have composed a lot of his poems and songs.

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Theme for R-day: Communal harmony

Communal harmony was the dominant theme in most state tableaux. While Gujarat showcased Buddhist heritage and its message of non-violence, Bihar's tableau depicted the 17th century architectural marvel of Maner Sharif in Patna, the mausoleum of Sufi Saint Makhdoom Daulat. The Delhi tableau, which made a comeback at the Republic Day parade this year after a three-year gap, also depicted the four major religious communities living in harmony as the Bahai temple took the centre stage..

Ashok Chakra for Army doctor

An Army doctor, Major Laishram Jyotin Singh was posthumously conferred the highest peacetime gallantry award — Ashok Chakra — for fighting militants barehanded during an attack on Indians in Kabul last year. He is the first officer from Army Medical Corps (AMC) to receive the award.

Audience enthralled by air show

The final fly-past by the Indian Airforce left the audience spellbound. Among other formations, the ‘Vertical Charlie’ was cheered the most. Three SU-30 MKI aircraft executed the ‘Trishul manoeuvre’ in which the leader pulled up and carried out a two-and-a-half turn Vertical Charlie, while the wingmen split sideways, forming a trident in the air.

Two-seater Tejas aircraft unveiled

The two-seater light combat aircraft, Tejas aircraft's trainer version was unveiled for the first time. It is likely to be inducted by December 2012.