Kolkata, Jan 26 (IANS) Amid stepped-up security, newly appointed West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan unfurled the tricolour and took the salute as the state celebrated India’s 61st Republic Day Tuesday.
Military parades, march pasts, cultural functions and blood donation camps marked the day which was celebrated in cities, towns and villages across the state.

The Republic Day parade was held on the arterial Indira Gandhi Sarani (Red Road) in the city hub with the armed forces showcasing an impressive array of weapons, including F.H. 77 BO2 Bofors guns, Igla 1 M missile and anti-tank guided missile Flame.

Smartly turned out armed forces units, police personnel, fire brigade units, schoolchildren and dance troupes regaled spectators during the 90-minute parade in the presence of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, state ministers, bureaucrats, diplomats corps and other dignitaries.

The day was also celebrated at central and state government offices, including the Kolkata Port Trust, South-Eastern Railway and Eastern Railway, civic bodies and educational institutions.

Blood donation camps and sit-and-draw competitions were held at several places. Patriotic songs, dances and poetry recitation programmes were organised in localities across towns.