• India's Republic Day marked with parades, dances, stunts -- and protest

    Kevin Frayer / AP

    Girls wear traditional clothing as they dance for dignitaries during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, on Jan. 26, 2012. India is marking it's 63rd Republic Day with parades across the country.

    Pradip Dasgupta / Defense Public Relations office via AP

    Soldiers march in formation on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

    Jaipal Singh / EPA

    Members of Jammu and Kashmir police's 'Daredevil' motorcycle stunt team show their skills during Republic Day celebrations in Jammu.

    India showcased its military might and cultural heritage on Thursday as the country celebrated its 63rd Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution of India and the transition from British colonial rule. 

    More than 25,000 policemen and paramilitary forces guarded the streets of Delhi, where the main parade took place, the BBC reported. The nuclear capable Agni-IV missile was unveiled during the parade, according to The Times of India.

    Separatist groups in Kashmir, which has seen a long insurgency against Indian rule, called for the day to be observed as "Black Day". 

    Farooq Khan / EPA

    Female members of the National Cadet Corps salute while marching in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir.

    Dar Yasin / AP

    An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard outside a closed shop during a general strike in Srinagar, Kashmir. Shops and businessest remained closed as separatists called for a general strike to observe the day as "Black Day".

    See more images of the preparations for India's Republic Day on PhotoBlog.

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  • Kevin Frayer / AP

    A member of the Delhi Police Swat team stands guard as girls dressed in traditional attire who were to perform during the final dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade wait to enter the grounds in New Delhi, India, on Jan. 23, 2012. India marks Republic Day on January 26th with military parades across the country.

    A dress rehearsal for India's Republic Day parade in Delhi

    Rehearsals for India's Republic Day have been going on for weeks. See more images of the preparations on PhotoBlog.

  • Morning in New Delhi: Music, camels and fog

    Manish Swarup / AP

    Paramilitary soldiers of the Indian Border Security Force wait with their musical instruments and camels amidst winter morning fog before the start of Republic Day parade rehearsals in New Delhi, India, on Jan. 18, 2012.

    Manish Swarup / AP

    Indian army soldiers sit amidst winter morning fog for Republic Day parade rehearsals in New Delhi on Jan. 18, 2012.

    See more images of the preparations for India's Republic Day parade on PhotoBlog.

  • Manish Swarup / AP

    An Indian Paramilitary officer gives a command to his contingent during rehearsals for India's Republic Day parade, amidst morning fog in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. Dense fog enveloped many parts north India Wednesday, affecting normal life. Though India is famous for its brutally hot summers, temperatures fall sharply for a few weeks in December and January. Poor people, particularly those living on the streets, are the worst affected.

    Indian paramilitary soldiers practice in the fog

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  • Gurinder Osan / AP

    People are silhouetted in front of the illuminated Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, at the end of the Beating the Retreat ceremony. The ceremony held on Jan. 29 every year marks the end of Republic Day celebrations.

    Illuminated palace in New Delhi, India

    By Phaedra Singelis, NBC News

    Photos from Republic Day celebrations in India.

  • Republic Day observed in India

    By Elena Grothe

    Looking at our photo database, photos are continuing to stream in from today's Republic Day parade in India. Republic Day marks the anniversary of India's adoption of a democratic constitution.

    Ajay Verma / Reuters

    Dancers perform during the Republic Day celebrations in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh Jan. 26, 2011. India celebrated its 62nd Republic Day on Wednesday.

    Gurinder Osan / AP

    Indian paramilitary soldiers march past at the Republic Day parade in the backdrop of the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26.

    Tauseef Mustafa / AFP - Getty Images

    A Kashmiri performer looks on during a Republic Day parade held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, 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.

    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.

    Raminder Pal Singh / EPA

    Indian students wave tri-colored strips, representing the colors of the Indian national flag as they perform during India's Republic Day celebrations in the northern Indian city of Amritsar, Jan. 26.

    Manish Swarup / AP

    Indian army soldiers of Sikh Light Infantry Regiment march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 26.

  • Republic Day rehearsal in Hyderabad, India

    By Elena Grothe

    India will celebrate its 62nd Republic Day on Wednesday, Jan. 26. Full story here.

    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.

    Mahesh Kumar A / AP

    Indian band members are reflected on a musical instrument during a rehearsal for the Republic Day in Hyderabad, India, Jan. 24.

  • Beating the Retreat in preparation for Republic Day in India

    By Katie Cannon, Senior Multimedia Editor

    I like it that the drummer is suspended in air in the first picture, as it gives the picture just a little more life.

    Manish Swarup / AP

    Members of the joint defense band march during Beating the Retreat rehearsals in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Jan. 22. Beating the Retreat, which falls on Jan. 29, marks the end of Republic Day celebrations in India.

    Manish Swarup / AP

    Border Security Force soldiers stand mounted on camels during the Beating the Retreat rehearsals in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Jan. 22. Beating the Retreat, which falls on Jan. 29, marks the end of Republic Day celebrations in India.