66TH REPUBLIC DAY PARADE 2015 – things which happened for first time

PM Narendra Modi, US President Barack Obama, President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari watch Republic Day parade. Photo—PIB/Twitter

1. Barack Obama on Monday became the first American President to grace the Republic Day celebrations.

2. Obama’s attendance at the Republic Day celebrations was unlike any other event he has participated in during his overseas travel as president.

3.In a departure from tradition, Obama and Michelle arrived in the presidential armoured limousine, ‘the Beast’. The chief guest of the Republic Day usually comes to the venue with the President, the head of the state.

4.For the first time, an all-women’s contingent drawn from the three services featured at the event, while the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force also fielded all-women contingents.

5.Telangana made its debut at the Republic Day Parade this year, displaying the state’s illustrious festival ‘Bonalu’ in the tableau.

6.A highlight of this year’s parade was the display for the first time of the recently acquired long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine P-8I aircraft and the long-range advanced MiG-29K fighter plane.