National fervour and patriotic songs marked Karnataka's Republic Day celebrations on Friday, with Governor TN Chaturvedi hoisting the tricolour and taking salute at an impressive parade held at the Field Marshal Manekshaw parade grounds in Bangalore.
After inspecting a guard of honour presented by the three defence services, contingents of state police teams, National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Bharat Scouts, the governor went around the parade ground in an open jeep and greeted the crowd of about 5,000 people.
Two helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) flew over the grounds showering flowers on the participants, drawing loud cheers and claps from the audience.
About 15 contingents, including men from the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force and about 1,200 children, participated in the two-hour parade that ended with cultural programmes and folk dances.
Later, the governor distributed prizes to the best performance in the parade and cultural events.
According to additional commissioner of police (law and order) Bipin Gopalkrishna, 15,000 security personnel trawled the city, frisking, screening and keeping a strict vigil to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
Reports of similar Republic Day functions came in from various places like Mysore, Mangalore and Hubli.
{{/usCountry}}Reports of similar Republic Day functions came in from various places like Mysore, Mangalore and Hubli.
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