President Yudhoyono this year is the Chief Guest welcomed by President Pratibha Patil, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.
The Republic Day of India holiday marks the creation of the Constitution of India to replace the Government of India Act 1935 as the country`s governing document on January 26, 1950.
A grand parade in New Delhi is the largest event during the Republic Day while.
Other highlights included the march-past of the three armed forces, folk dances by tribal folk from the various states in picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India.
Marking the end of the festival is the streak of jet planes of the Indian Air Force, leaving a trail of colored smoke.
President Yudhoyono is not the first Indonesian head of state to be the Republic Day celebrations chief guest because on January 26, 1950 first President Soekarno was also the chief guest.
At the time when Rajendra Prasad and Sukarno drove down from Vijay Chowk to the saluting base in the Rajpath, there was wild cheering and unprecedented display of popular enthusiasm.
After attending the Republic Day celebrations, President Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono are scheduled to have a gathering with Indonesian community in India.
At the gathering, President Yudhoyono will have lunch with his countrymen in India and then give them necessary directives.
At 5 pm local time on Wednesday, President Yudhoyono and his entourage will leave India for Switzerland for a state visit to the European country.
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Editor: AA Ariwibowo
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
