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Initials TDH/V/MGT/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A PARADE LASTING MORE THAN FOUR HOURS MADE ITS WAY PAST PRESIDENT RADHAKRISHNAN IN NEW DELHI YESTERDAY, IN CELEBRATION OF THE 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDIA BECOMING A REPUBLIC.PRINCE SIHANOUK OF CAMBODIA, CURRENTLY VISITING INDIA, SAT WITH HIS WIFE AND INDIAN VICE-PRESIDENT HUSSAIN.

THERE WAS LESS DISPLAY OF INDIAN MILITARY MIGHT.MANY CRACK UNITS OF THE INDIAN ARMY, NORMALLY IN THE PARADE, ARE ON DUTY IN LADAKH AND THE NORTH EAST FRONTIER AGENCY.

AN UNUSUAL FEATURE OF THIS YEAR'S PARADE CAME AT THE END, AFTER A CONTINGENT REPRESENTING WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS.INDIAN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT - THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COUNTRY'S 440-MILLION PEOPLE -- WITH PRIME MINISTER NEHRU AT THEIR HEAD, MARCHED PAST PRESIDENT RADHAKRISHNAN FOR SOME TWO HUNDRED YARDS.THEIR PARTICIPATION -- AT MR.NENRU'S SUGGESTION -- WAS TO SYMBOLIZE PUBLIC SOLIDARITY WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE CHINESE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC IN THE RECENT BORDER DISPUTE.