New Delhi: India's military prowess and the country's diverse cultural heritage were on display at the 67th Republic Day parade on the magnificent Rajpath boulevard on Tuesday at which visiting French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest.

For the first time, a contingent from the French 35th Infantry Regiment was given the honour of leading the marching contingents and it performed with panache, preceded by a pipes and drums band and saluting in a rather unusual style with the right hand held straight across the chest.