Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, at the ‘At Home` reception

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and his wife Smt. Gursharan Kaur with the Chief Guest of Republic Day the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, at the ‘At Home` reception, hosted by the President, on the occasion of the 63rd Republic Day celebrations, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on January 26, 2012.  (PIB photo)

National Bravery Awards-2011 winners

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari and Smt. Salma Ansari with the National Bravery Awards-2011 winners, in New Delhi on January 24, 2012.    (PIB photo)

Colourful Fiesta Awaiting in Republic Day Parade

A total of 1200 school children from different parts

The school children rehearsing for the Republic Day Parade 2012, at Rajpath, in New Delhi on January 14, 2012  (Both photos and detail by PIB New Delhi)

New Delhi,January 14, 2012 (PIB): A total of 1200 school children from different parts of the country will be showcasing a variety of cultural items in this year’s Republic Day Parade. Among them 340 students are from Delhi.

Based on the ideals of meaningful education of Mahatma Gandhi, the students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sec-2, RK Puram, New Delhi, will be presenting an item on mass literacy. Through their song and formation they will invoke a world where every person is educated in letter and spirit, where everyone would touch the height of prosperity and enlightenment. On the other hand, students of Government Sarvodaya Vidyala, Hastsal will present ‘Kodiyancha Karavan’, a folk dance of Maharashtra fishermen.

While South Zone Cultural Centre’s presentation will be ‘Karagam’, a folk dance of Tamil Nadu which originated as a ritual dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of health and rain, East Zonal cultural Centre’s item, ‘Thakurani’ will be a combination of ‘Animal Dance’, ‘Ranapa Dance’ and ‘Jodi’. It is connected with the religious procession of Thakurani Jatra in Ganjam district of Odisha. North Central Zone Cultural Centre will present ‘Gudum Baja’, a traditional tribal dance in Mandla and Shahdol Districts of Madhya Pradesh. It is performed on all auspicious occasions and festivals.