India celebrates 65th Republic Day

India celebrated its 65th Republic Day in the national capital Sunday amid tight security, as the country displayed its military might Some 50,000 security personnel have been deployed in the Indian capital to avoid any untoward incident during the celebrations being witnessed by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ruling Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and chief guest visiting Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe. India showcased a colorful display of its cultural heritage, manoeuvres by fighter aircraft and march past by armed forces during the Republic Day parade from Rajpath, at the heart of the national capital, to the historic Red Fort, telecast live on national television. "Some 125 buildings around the Rajpath have been sealed and rooftop surveillance mounted to keep subversive activities at bay, " Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police Mukesh Kumar Meena told the media. The country also conferred gallantry and civilian awards on various people, including police officials, military officials, actors and sportsmen. Earlier this morning, President Mukherjee unfurled the country' s tricolor flag while the prime minister paid tributes to India's martyrs of war at India Gate by laying floral wraths, along with the chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. On the eve of the Republic Day, the Indian president on Saturday evening addressed the nation, making a veiled attack on the recently elected ruling anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party of the national capital, saying "populist anarchy" can't be a substitute for "good governance". He also talked about the various changes that took place in the country over the last six decades and addressed various issues that hit the nation at the time -- from the brutal and fatal Delhi gangrape to the issues related to the economic reforms. Local TV channels have reported that except a blast in the northeastern state of Manipur's capital Imphal ahead of the Republic Day parade, no other untoward incidents took place. No one has been killed or injured in the blast.