On the 67th Republic Day, Governor Ram Naresh Yadav unfurled the National Flag and took salute of parade at the main function at lal Parade Ground here. The Police Band led by Shaikh Raza Ullah played tune of National Anthem. The Governor also released colourful balloons.
Parade commander CSP Vijay Nagar, Indore Suraj Kumar Verma (IPS) and Parade's 2-I-C SDOP Ajaygarh Panna Alok Kumar Sharma spearheaded the parade following which the Governor addressed the people.
At the parade, inspector Sushil Kumar Tapania led contingent of RAF, Company Commander Ajay Singh CRPF, sub-inspector Yashpal Sharma Company Commander SSB, Platoon Commander Chhattisgarh SAF Neel Kishore Awasthi, Company Commander Madhya Pradesh SAF Mukesh Soni, Ajit Kumar Kumhre represented district force and GRP, Company Commander Vijay Shah Mehra Hawk Force, sub-inspector Sonia Rajput SAF, district force, GRP women's force, Company Commander Rajesh Kumar Sharma Home Guards, Assistant Superintendent Jail Kamlesh Rai Jail's contingent, Retd Major Gajraj Singh Ex-servicemen, MVM College Bhopal's Senior Under Officer Alok Raghuvanshi Boys NCC, Army, MVM College Bhopal's Captain Shekhar Kumar Patle Boys NCC Naval, MVM College Bhopal's Under Officer Rishabh Baghel Boys NCC Air Wing, MVM College Bhopal's Senior Under Officer Vishakha Benedict Senior Divison NCC Girls, Ankit Gujre of New St Mary School Bhopal represented Scouts, Shivani Umre of Sarojini Naidu School Guides and Abhishek Yadav 25th Battalion's School, Bhopal headed contingent of Police School Squad. Praveen Dixit of Damoh led Shaurya Dal.
During recent DGP Conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed to include contingent of other states in Republic Day parade to strengthen inter-state police coordination. Keeping this in view Chhattisgarh State's SAF contingent participated in Republic Day parade at Bhopal.
Platoon Commander Ajab Singh spearheaded dog squad and Platoon Commander Chhagan lal equestrian squad.
After the parade, students of Kopal Higher Secondary School, Nehru Nagar, Government Naveen Higher Secondary School, Chuna Bhatti, St. Xavier's Higher Secondary Co-ed School, BHEl and Scholars Home Public School, Arera Colony presented cultural programmes. Riders of Equestrian Academy also displayed their skills. It was followed by Kathi folk dance.
School children presented attractive dances to the tunes of patriotic songs. Of these, presentation 'Woman from Birth to Salvation' stood first. Second prize in Armed Wing in the parade was given to CISF and third to SSB's contingent. Second prize in Unarmed Wing was conferred to NCC Naval Wing and third to NCC Senior Division Army Wing Girls contingent.
Second prize in tableaux was given to Jail Department and third to Water Resources Department's tableau.
Among cultural programmes, presentation 'Swachchh Bharat ka Irada' of St Xavier's Higher Secondary School, BHEl was adjudged second and Scholars Home Public School Arera Colony's presentation 'Swachchh Bharat Hara Bhara Bharat' stood third. Adventurous horseshow presented by youths of Sports and Youth Welfare Department and famous Kathi folk dance presented by Tribal Welfare Department were selected for special prizes.
In all, 19 government departments took out attractive tableaux highlighting their schemes and achievements. Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa, DGP Surendra Sinh, freedom fighters, public representatives, senior officers of various departments, employees etc were present on the occasion.