Hoisting of the national tricolour and pageantry marked the 63rd Republic Day celebrations in the State on Thursday.

Governor H R Bhardwaj hoisted the national tricolour as rose petals were showered from a flying chopper, which had the crowds cheering at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Ground in the City.

He also inspected a guard of honour going round the ground in an open jeep amid tight security.

About 1,500 police personnel were deployed in and around the ground to provide fool-proof security.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah and Chief Secretary S V Ranganath were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

Contingents of the three services - Army, Navy and Air Force -- led the march past followed by battalions of the Karnataka State Reserve Police and Rapid Action Force.

The National Cadet Corps and boys and girls from Bharat Scouts and Guides also took part in the ceremonial parade.

The R-Day function that was held for nearly two hours concluded with colourful and
impressive cultural programmes by children of various city schools, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the country.

‘Janani Janma Bhoomi’ - a ballet by about 700 students depicted how great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Veer Sawarkar and Sardar Patel strived in the freedom struggle and how India became a sovereign, secular and democratic republic.

Another group of about 725 students performed a dance programme ‘Jai Hind,’ marking 100 years of the composition of the national anthem by Rabindranath Tagore. ‘Mallakhamb,’ a traditional form of gymnastics performed on wooden poles by soldiers of the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre, was received with applause from the audience.

One of the highlights of the colourful ceremony was the para motor gliding by three IAF personnel who descended on the ground smoothly amid excitement and fanfare.

Later in the evening, the Governor hosted high tea for select dignitaries at Raj Bhavan on the occasion of Republic Day.

CM leaves early

Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda left the Republic Day celebration venue much before the Governor, raising many eyebrows.

Usually, the chief minister stays till the end of the programme and leaves the venue only after the Governor does. Official sources, however, said Gowda had taken the Governor’s permission to leave early.

Similarly, Gowda left early from the high tea hosted by the Governor at Raj Bhavan later in the evening.

None of his cabinet colleagues accompanied him to either the morning or the evening function.