History revisited with Yudhoyono at R’Day parade
January 26th, 2011 - 1:35 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) History turned full circle Wednesday when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono became the second head of state from Indonesia to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade — after the very first one.Yudhoyono was received by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the saluting dias when he reached the parade venue on Rajpath in the heart of Delhi.
Legendary Indonesian leader Sukarno was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day parade in 1950 — when Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the first president of independent India.
Yudhoyono, 61, is a military veteran and was elected the sixth president of Indonesia in the first ever direct presidential election held in 2004.
He is accompanied by his wife Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, who too watched the parade with enthusiasm.
Yudhoyono, who witnessed the parade keenly, retired from the Indonesian military as a lieutenant general in 1999 and was later decorated with the honorary rank of general in 2000.
He commanded the UN Military Observers and the Indonesian military contingent in Bosnia-Herzegovina inm 1995-96.
For his outstanding service, Yudhoyono has been decorated with 24 medals and awards, including the UN peace-keeping force medal.
- India's 62nd Republic Day parade begins - Jan 26, 2011
- India showcases military might at 62nd R'Day parade (Lead) - Jan 26, 2011
- Yudhoyono - a thinking general who is a good administrator - Jan 24, 2011
- India, Indonesia to set $20 bn bilateral trade target - Jan 08, 2011
- Indian culture, military might unfold at R'Day (Second Lead) - Jan 26, 2011
- India, Indonesia sign eleven agreements - Jan 25, 2011
- Thai PM chief guest at Republic Day - Jan 26, 2012
- UAE leaders greet India on Republic Day - Jan 26, 2011
- Applause for Lavani dancers at parade - Jan 26, 2011
- President hosts R'Day reception, Yudhoyono 'At Home' - Jan 26, 2011
- Nation gets set to celebrate 61st Republic Day - Jan 25, 2011
- India celebrates 62nd R'Day, military might on show (Roundup) - Jan 26, 2011
- IAF, ITBP adjudged best contingents at Republic Day parade - Jan 30, 2011
- Indonesian President arrives in Delhi on three-day state visit - Jan 24, 2011
- India, Indonesia to sign extradition treaty, other agreements - Jan 21, 2011
Tags: chief guest, independent india, indonesian leader, indonesian military, lieutenant general, manmohan singh, military observers, military veteran, peace keeping force, president of indonesia, president pratibha patil, president susilo bambang yudhoyono, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, rajendra prasad, republic day, second head, sixth president, sukarno, susilo bambang yudhoyono