2. Republic Day commemorates India's adoption of a democratic constitution 61 years ago. India gained freedom from British colonial rule in 1947. In New Delhi, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was the chief guest at a parade by thousands of Indian soldiers displaying the country's growing military might. The parade also showcased the country's cultural heritage with thousands of young people dancing in the streets.

3. Indian paramilitary soldiers march in the Republic Day parade in the backdrop of the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

4. Indian army soldiers of Sikh Light Infantry Regiment march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Manish Swarup

5. Indian schoolchildren perform a Rajasthan folk dance at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

6. Indian school children perform a Punjabi folk dance Bhangra at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

7. A Delhi Police contingent marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

8. An Indian army contingent of the Punjab Regiment marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

9. A camel-mounted Border Security contingent marches past spectators at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Manish Swarup

10. An Indian army contingent of the Punjab Regiment marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

11. An Indian navy contingent marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

12. An Indian army contingent of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

13. An Indian paramilitary contingent marches in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

14. Indian soldiers march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Manish Swarup

15. An Indian army contingent marches during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Gurinder Osan

16. An Indian paramilitary contingent marches during the Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. AP / Aijaz Rahi

17. Jammu And Kashmir Armed Police officers (JKAP) participate in a Republic Day parade held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / TAUSEEF MUSTAFA

18. A Kashmiri performer looks on during a Republic Day parade held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Tauseef Mustafa

19. Indian schoolchildren dressed as tigers wait to perform during a Republic Day parade in Bangalore on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Dibyangshu Sarkar

20. An Indian serviceman salutes during a ceremonial parade at Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Noah Seelam

21. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers perform motorcycle stunts during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

22. Indian schoolchildren perform during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

23. A float representing the Indian state of Kerala appears in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

24. Indian paramilitary soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

26. Indian soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

27. Indian soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Raveedran

28. Raveendran / AFP - Getty Images Indian soldiers march down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Jan. 26. India celebrated its 62nd Republic Day under heavy security, with tensions running high in Kashmir over efforts by Hindu nationalists to hold a rally in the troubled region's state capital. Security was especially tight in New Delhi where large sections of the capital were sealed off for the annual parade of military hardware.

29. Noah Seelam / AFP - Getty Images Indian army sodiers participate in the final full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, Jan. 24. India will celebrate its 62nd Republic Day on January 26, 2011.

30. (From L-R) India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, India's President Pratibha Patil, Patil's husband Devisingh Shekhawat, Yudhoyono's wife Kristiani Yudhoyono and Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur watch the Republic Day parade through a bulletproof enclosure in New Delhi January 26, 2011. Yudhoyono is on a four-day state visit to India and was the chief guest at India's 62nd Republic Day celebrations on Wednesday.

31. A bird’s eye view of Rajpath, during the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi.

32. India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 26, 2011. India celebrates its 62nd Republic Day on Wednesday.

33. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers ride their camels during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 26, 2011. India celebrated its 62nd Republic Day on Wednesday.

34. The Dare Devil stunts of motorcycle riders, during the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi The tableau of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology passes through the Rajpath during the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi on January 26, 2011.

35. Alexander Klein / AFP - Getty Images An Indian Navy brass band marches down Rajpath during a Republic Day Parade rehearsal in New Delhi on January 20, 2011.