India celebrated the 68th Republic Day on Thursday at the majestic Rajpath where its military might and rich cultural diversity were on full display.
The rehearsals of the celebrations were, however, for the first time captured through a Virtual Reality (VR) video.
The VR video shows huge colorful parades that include lines of tanks, camel-mounted soldiers and colorful floats.
The troops in their elegant attire, practising for the R-Day parade are eye-catching and the 360 VR video enhances the experience.
VR videos are a new kind of video that make you feel like you’re actually there. Using the same tricks that humans use to see the world, VR video gives you a sense of depth as you look around in every direction. Near things look near, far things look far.
The annual celebration included floats from the various Indian states and its defense and police forces.
Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was the guest of honor at Thursday's parade.
A contingent of soldiers from the United Arab Emirates joined Indian troops in the celebrations, attended by top Indian government and military officials as well as diplomats and thousands of ordinary people.
The parade, which made its way through the wide, tree-lined roads of central Delhi, included acrobatic stunts on motorcycles, aerial displays and gallantry awards for the military.
The UAE military contingent was followed by an impressive military band of 35 musicians, dressed in white trousers and red bandhgala coat and playing delightful marching tune "Kaptien".
Light rain and overcast skies failed to dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of spectators who watched the nearly an hour-and-half-long parade along the imposing Rajpath, India's ceremonial boulevard.
The UAE is the second country after France to send troops to participate in the Republic-Day parade of India, a tradition started last year.
Last year, French President Francois Hollande was the guest of honor. In 2015, former President Barack Obama viewed the display.
India's constitution came into effect on Jan. 26, 1950.
