Traditional display of its military might and cultural variety marked the 56th Republic Day celebrations on Wednesday across India.

Despite some stray violence and the death of two civilians in accidental firing by Indian soldiers in Assam, the celebrations inother states ended on a happy note with no major violence for the second straight year.

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation in celebrating the day India emerged as a sovereignand secular republic, with a glittering parade in the Indian capital.

Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the chief guest, and a host of VIPs and thousands of people watched the spectacle of India's diversity and military power at Rajpath, the shimmering avenue cutting a swathe through the capital's center.

The annual parade, watched by millions of Indians either on thespot or from their homes, received its first makeover since it began in 1950, becoming more compact in order to retain public interest.

Thousands of men, women and children gathered in the pale winter sunshine to watch the parade winding its way from Rajpath, near the Rashtrapati Bhavan, to the 17th-century Red Fort monumentin the old city about 15 km away.

Tight security in the capital restricted movement but it did not deter thousands from walking long distances to see the annual parade.

Source: Xinhua