Cultural programmes by schoolchildren and stunning motorcycle stunts by the famed ASC Tornadoes were the highlight of Tuesday’s ceremonial parade organised as part of the Republic Day celebrations at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Grounds in the City.

More than 2,000 students from schools across Bengaluru captured the audience with their performances depicting the mosaic of Indian culture.

The first performance, Unity in Diversity, by 650 children, attired in colourful costumes, from the Government Composite PU College in Kaggalipura, portrayed the cultural diversity of the country through various dance forms such as Bharathanatyam, Mohini Attam, Manipuri, Yakshagana, Kathakali and Kathak, with an interplay of placards depicting the heritage of various states.

The parade ground represented a riot of colour as 650 students from the Government High School in Abbigere presented ‘Punyavantharu navu Bharathiyaru’ bringing alive the joy of living in India.

The spirit of nationalism, patriotism and the country’s rich agricultural wealth was captured by the students of Raja Rajeshwari English School in ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’. The life and times of the architect of the Indian Constitution, B R Ambedkar, was depicted in a dance drama by students of NBN Vidya Mandira and Sri Shaila Vidya Samsthe.

The motorcycle display was performed by a 30-member ASC Tornadoes team. In a scintillating performance, the riders on their Enfield motorcycles pierced through, a ‘tubelight wall’ and jumped through an iron ring on fire. The tornadoes performed acts like ‘scissor cross’ and the ‘parallel crossing’, where the riders in two groups sped, crossing each other’s paths. In another display, three riders jumped over 20 men lying on the ground, leaving the spectators spellbound.

Ceremonial best

Earlier, the formal ceremony began with Governor Vajubhai Vala arriving at the saluting base to preside over the celebrations. The smart marching contingents of the para-military, police and student corps attired in their ceremonial best added colour and beat to the parade. The contingents of  Army, Navy and the Airforce followed by the National Cadet Corps, paramilitary contingents were cheered by the audience.

But the loudest applause went to contingents from the Ramana Maharshi School for the Blind, who proved that disability does not come in the way of patriotism. The contingent from Army, Fire Services (women) and Ramana Maharshi School for the Blind won the shield for being the best contingent at the parade in their respective groups.