By IANS,
Kolkata : West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi unfurled the tricolour and took the salute as the state joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the 60th Republic Day Monday.
Military parades, march pasts, cultural functions and blood donation camps marked the day amid heightened security.
The Republic Day parade was held on the arterial Indira Gandhi Sarani (Red Road) in the centre of the city with the Armed Forces showcasing an impressive array of weapons including T-72 tanks, 155 mm Bofors field guns, L-70 air defence guns, anti-tank guided missiles, mine-protected vehicle Casspir and a bridging float.
The navy displayed a miniature version of INS Brahmaputra and the air force put up a pilotless aircraft Lakshya and Rocket pods of the Mig-21 aircraft during the hour-long parade in presence of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, state ministers, bureaucrats, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries.
The day was also celebrated at central and state government offices, including Kolkata Port Trust, South-eastern Railway and Eastern Railway, and educational institutions.
Patriotic songs, dances and poetry recitation programmes were organised in localities across towns. Blood donation camps and sit-and-draw competitions were also held at several places.