The nation celebrates the 64th Republic day amidst tight security. The recent slaughtering at the LOC and the hanging 26/11 accused Kasab, puts tension in the air, with our friendly neighbors vying for an opportunity.  Security has been beefed up in all sensitive pockets of the state to avoid any untoward incidents.

The President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi greeted the nation on the day.

The state bows its head for not being represented for the fourth consecutive time in the national parade. The Andhra Pradesh tableau of an  offbeat theme on palaces and rocks of Hyderabad was squarely rejected. The irony was that the decision was taken up at the forth or the final stage of selection. The committee under the Union defense ministry rejected AP's proposals.

While there are many controversies shrouding the disapproval, the prominent one suggests that inadequate lobbying led to the unfortunate decision. Normally there are a selected band of contract tableau builders who would build it and use their best skills to get them approved. However Andhra went the other way, of individually building the theme and presenting it all by itself. (Wishesh AarKay)