Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute at a colourful march-past here in Indira Gandhi Sarani as West Bengal joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the 69th Republic Day on Friday.
Tripathi inspected a guard of honour and took the salute during a hour-long customary parade in which units from the army, navy and air force took part with their respective tableau showcasing sophisticated weapons including guns, rocket launchers and the surface-to-air Python and Derby (Spyder) missile system.
Greeting the people of the state on the occasion, Tripahi called upon all to do their bit in order to secure the dreams of the nation's founding fathers and renew a pledge for the country's unity and integrity.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a number of members of her cabinet, senior bureaucrats and police officers, and members of the diplomatic corps were present at the parade held under tight security.
Various contingents of Kolkata and West Bengal police personnel, Border Security Force, traffic sergeants, fire brigade, and NCC cadets also participated in the parade.
School students from the city and the districts took part in the parade and presented brief cultural shows on the streets.
The 'unity in brotherhood' tableau from the state, which did not find a place in the Republic Day procession in Delhi, was also showcased in the march here.
The national flag was hoisted at various union and state government offices across the state to mark the day.
A large number of organisations, educational institutions, and clubs also celebrated the Republic Day throughout the state by hoisting flags and organising march-past by students and children.
Flags were also unfurled at the headquarters of several political parties in the city.
--IANS
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