Yusuf Pathan's phenomenal all-round act helped Rajasthan Royals win the Indian Premier League 2008 in a thrilling last-ball finish against Chennai Super Kings.

After an absorbing 44-day period, the outcome of the tournament was fittingly decided off the last possible ball, as Rajasthan chased 164. You couldn't chose between two teams in a last-ball finish. MS Dhoni had had a phenomenal run in these last over finishes but his luck ran out on Sunday night at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium.

With one run needed off the last ball, on strike was Sohail Tanvir, Rajasthan's best bowler in the IPL, and his captain Shane Warne. Laxmipathy Balaji had the ball; he banged it in and Tanvir pulled it past mid-on for four. The Royals, who were everyone's underdogs in the beginning, won by three wickets to wrap up a remarkable campaign.

Yusuf Pathan the hero

In what must be one of the finest all-round performances in recent times, Pathan turned the match on its head twice --- first with the ball, then with the bat.

Chennai were off to an assuring start. Parthiv Patel and S. Vidyut added 39 for the first wicket when Pathan struck. In fact, he went on to take the first three wickets, bowling his stump-to-stump spin.

Then, with Rajasthan under the burner at 42-3 Pathan struck a characteristically brutal 56 (39 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) to bring his team at the doorsteps of a famous win. When Yusuf was run out by a blinding direct hit from point by Suresh Raina, the Royals needed 21 from 14 balls.

Many contested Warne's decision to bat second in a big game. But Warne stuck to his instincts which had worked rather well in the tournament. At 42-3 it seemed Warne had blundered when it really mattered.

Here, Shane Watson joined Pathan to put the innings back on track. Watson made 28 (19 balls, 3x4) but more importantly, he added 65 precious runs with Pathan, who had begun dealing in big sixes at the other end.

Watson was yorked by Muralitharan going out for a big hit. Mohammad Kaif, who has had a very ordinary series, made 12 in quick time before Murali defeated him with a doosra. Next ball, Ravindra Jadeja played a horrendous pull than lobbed to mid on, and three balls later, Raina beat Pathan with the direct hit. It left the Royals in a wobbly spot all over again.

Tanvir joined his skipper Warne with 18 needed from 12 balls. Dhoni, normally everyone's Captain Cool, perhaps erred when he called Makhaya Ntini to bowl the penultimate over. It left Dhoni just Balaji --- his most expensive bowler on the night --- to bowl the last over. After Ntini conceded 6 from his first 5 balls, Warne managed to sneak a four past cover and wrest the advantage.

With eight needed from the last six, Balaji managed to hold his line and bring the equation down to six runs from three balls. He then bowled a wide and the batsmen scrambled a bye to bring it down to four from three. A single to Warne followed, followed by a clip to square leg for two to Tanvir. One needed from one and Tanvir coolly slapped a short ball past mid on.

Pathan walked away with the man of the match in the final game while Watson is the man of the series. Tanvir, for his 22 wickets, won the purple cap.

The orange cap for the highest scorer went to Shaun Marsh of Kings XI Punjab.

Warne's side received a cheque of USD 1.2 million, while the runners-up Chennai got half that amount.

Julia Roberts has topped an online poll for the 25 Most Memorable On-Screen Prostitutes. The Oscar winner"s role in 'Pretty Woman' saw her beating off competition from other actresses. Second on the list was Jennifer Jason Leigh for her role as Tralala in 'Last Exit to Brooklyn'.

In third spot is Patricia Arquette in 'True Romance'. Rounding up the top five was the only male in the top ten Dermot Mulroney in 'The Wedding Date' and Kim Basinger in 'L.A. Confidential'.

Australia v India, 4th Test, Adelaide, 1st day

	Sachin Tendulkar savours his first hundred at the Adelaide Oval while VVS Laxman looks on.

Sachin Tendulkar said he was happy to have notched up his first hundred at the Adelaide Oval, one where he hadn't made much of an impact earlier. Returning to the city where he met Don Bradman in 1998, he brought up his sixth hundred in Australia and second of the series.

"I knew that Adelaide hasn't been a great ground for me," he said after his unbeaten hundred at the end of the first day. "In 1999 I scored 65 runs here and that was my best, so I was determined to get a big one here. It also happens to be Sir Don's home ground. I wasn't thinking about that while batting out there but am very pleased to have got a hundred at this venue."

Tendulkar admitted that this was one of his most complete innings, talking about how certain balls went exactly where he intended. "The first straight drive off [Brett] Lee gave me a lot of confidence," he said. "I middled it and the shot went exactly where I wanted it to go. In the next over I repeated it [against Mitchell Johnson]. So I took it from there.

"There are days when you are moving well, days when you're not. There are also days when you middle the ball and days when you don't. You need to wait for that moment. I've felt those moments off and on in my career. Any hundred is special but when the team really needs one, it means more. Today there were big shots in between and defensive ones too. It was important we [Laxman and him] just stayed there and played according to the merit of the ball. We needed to play out the good spells properly."

Tendulkar has received an overwhelming reception in Australia, entering to standing ovations and being cheered throughout. No other Indian batsman has been accorded such a warm applause. "It's truly special," he said, "and sometimes I need to look at the scoreboard to figure out whether I'm 100-plus or zero. It means a lot to me and would like to thank each and every person for treating me like this. It makes every trip of mine very special."

Like in the first two Tests, Tendulkar was particularly severe on Brad Hogg but denied having "targeted" him for punishment. "Any bowler can get you out, you don't want to take anyone for granted," he said. "It all depends on the flow of my innings. If I pick the ball early enough, I will put it away. There were patches when he bowled well and patches when I felt I could put the ball away. Whenever I got the opportunity I made it count. That was my strategy."

Tendulkar went from 86 to 100 in a sequence that read 4,2,6,2, smashing the part-time spin of Michael Clarke. "I thought the wind was behind me and wanted to use it," he said. "I knew if I middled the ball, it would clear the field. Even if I don't middle it the wind would work.

"I was very positive at that stage and if the ball was there to put away, I was prepared to do that again," he said off the six that took him to 98. "When I played that off-drive [to get to 100], I played inside out, though it was not a half-volley. I had that chance to force the ball. I got the time to force it a little bit."

He was pleased to have weathered the old-ball burst from Lee - "he has been their stand-out bowler" - and thought India would need to bat as long as possible to increase their chances of leveling the series. "I think to put up a big total in the first innings would be the key. Later on I think the wicket might have some big cracks. Ideally we would like to score as many runs tomorrow. The first session will be very important."

Australia v India, 3rd Test, Perth, 4th day

Inspired India end Australia's streak

	The wicket of Adam Gilchrist, who was bowled around his legs by Virender Sehwag, was a key turning point

No overseas team, barring legendary Caribbean sides, had won in Perth since 1985-86, and given what transpired in Sydney a fortnight ago, India's convincing 72-run victory at the WACA will surely go down as their finest Test win. An entertaining ninth-wicket partnership between Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark gave a 16,000-strong crowd plenty of merriment, but it proved to have only nuisance value as India ended Australia's stunning 16-match streak.

Michael Clarke had been the boy on the burning deck, but with Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist back in the pavilion, the good ship was always destined for the ocean floor. And when Clarke gave Anil Kumble the charge and was beaten in the flight, it was as good as over. His 81 had spanned just 134 balls and included some majestic drives, but when he departed, he took any lingering Australian hope with him.

Johnson and Clark thought differently though. They weren't about to die wondering, and a partnership that contained more agricultural mows than a harvest season gave Kumble and the Indians more than a bit of grief. The 73-run stand at nearly a run a ball had everything - fours, huge sixes, miscued hooks falling short of fielders and even Johnson being bowled off a no-ball.

Kumble took the new ball as soon as it was due and Irfan Pathan struck with the final ball of his second over with it, inducing a big swish from Clark that flew to Dhoni behind the stumps. But there was still time for Johnson to bring up his 50 and Shaun Tait to show off his space-age pads before RP Singh sneaked one through a defensive prod to spark joyous celebrations.

A couple of contentious decisions helped them along the way. At lunch, with Australia three down, the match was still finely poised. But soon after the interval, RP jagged one back a little to strike Hussey on the knee roll. As he had with Sachin Tendulkar on the opening day, Asad Rauf chose to disregard the height and give the batsman out. Hussey had made 46, and his exit dimmed hopes of glory.

Worse was to follow for Australia. Symonds biffed Kumble for a six over long-on, but was then caught on the crease by a delivery that hurried through at 102kph. To the naked eye, it was plumb, and Billy Bowden's finger was already on the way up by the time a dismayed Symonds suggested an inside edge. Having drunk from a reservoir of luck in Sydney, Symonds found the well bone-dry across the continent in Perth.

	Anil Kumble could sense an historic victory was on the cards when he trapped Andrew Symonds lbw

Through it all, Clarke played with the mastery that marked his debut in Bangalore in 2004. There were a couple of beautiful straight-drives, and elegant strokes through the covers that left the fielders standing. He was just as assured clipping off the pads, and with Gilchrist showing signs of finding his feet, the 50 partnership came up in 10.4 overs.

By that stage, with Ishant Sharma not replicating his morning heroics and Pathan not quite finding his rhythm, Kumble had gambled on the offspin of Virender Sehwag. It was an inspired move. Gilchrist tried to sweep one that was too full and was bowled behind his legs, prompting frenzied celebrations from the Indians. And when Brett Lee followed in Sehwag's next over, the game was as good as up.

It had been much tighter in the morning, even though a sensational spell of seam bowling from Ishant put Ponting through the wringer for an hour before dismissing him. Both Ponting and Hussey struggled for any semblance of fluency as the Indians toiled with little reward on a slightly cooler morning.

Ishant had Ponting sparring outside off stump innumerable times, and induced more than one false shot in a spell where his rhythm was exceptional. Starting with an edge off Hussey that didn't quite carry to second slip, he tested both batsmen with lively pace and steep bounce while maintaining great seam position. His height was the most significant factor, with even length deliveries causing problems. Ponting took one on the knuckles, and was never at ease all morning.

There were two excellent appeals for leg before turned down, the second when Ponting didn't even offer a stroke, but justice was done 20 minutes before lunch when Ishant drew him into a stroke that took the edge through to Rahul Dravid at first slip. Ponting and Hussey had added 74, giving a platform for the rest to tilt at what remained an imposing windmill.

Steve Bucknor was the subject of much of the ire, with Ketan from India particularly venomous. The more printable part of his email describing Ketan’s “utter disgust (at) his (Bucknor's) decision which enabled Andrew Symonds to stay alive.”

He wasn't the only upset viewer. Adity is concerned that cricket is now no longer a gentleman's game. What is his proof? "The partial attitude towards Australian cricket team shown by the umpires."

George has called for age limits for umpires. "I think there should be a medical test, and age of retirement for umpires. The decision by Steve Bucknor to give Andrew Symonds "not out" was just not done at such a crucial juncture of a Test Match."

Adinath bemoans the fact that Symonds didn't 'walk': "Symonds should have walked when he had nicked the ball. He talks a lot, but showed that he had no sportsman’s spirit in him."

And back to the umpires. Nabaratna Acharya fails to understand "why Steve Bucknor is so jealous of India doing well. Symonds was clearly caught oou. I suggest Mr. Bucknor (should go to) an eye specialist to solve his problems. And perhaps a psychiatrist!"

Her body has been flown to her home in Sindh, where security forces have been ordered to shoot rioters on sight.

President Pervez Musharraf has appealed for calm, but angry Bhutto supporters have rioted in several cities. At least 11 deaths were reported.

Supporters' anger

Overnight rioting left four dead and dozens injured in Karachi in Sindh province, police said.

In the latest incident, a policeman was shot dead by gunmen in an eastern part of the city.

Businesses, government offices and police stations, along with dozens of vehicles, were attacked and set alight. Rioters also blocked several roads and set fire to tyres.

In Peshawar, the office of a party supporting President Pervez Musharraf was ransacked and set ablaze.

Final speech

Thousands of mourners have converged at Ms Bhutto's ancestral family home in Ghari Khuda Baksh, near Larkana, where she will be buried after Friday prayers.

Ms Bhutto, 54, was leaving an election rally in Rawalpindi, standing in the open sunroof of a car, when a gunman shot her in the neck and chest.

Seconds later, the attacker blew himself up, killing at least 20 people.

Ms Bhutto was taken to hospital in the northern city, where she was declared dead.

Supporters of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) later carried her simple wooden coffin to a waiting ambulance, which took it to Rawalpindi's military airport.

It was accompanied on board a military aircraft by Ms Bhutto's husband Asif Zardari and their three children, who had earlier flown to the capital, Islamabad, from Dubai.

Ms Bhutto will be buried next to her father, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was overthrown in a military coup by Gen Zia ul-Haq in 1977 and executed two years later.

Paris Hilton Ms Hilton was released from jail for unspecified health reasons A Los Angeles judge has ordered Paris Hilton to appear in court later to determine whether she should be returned to jail. The celebrity heiress was allowed to leave jail on Thursday, only three days into a 45-day sentence for violating probation on a drink-driving ban. She was given an electronic tag and ordered to remain under house arrest for the remainder of her sentence. Her release on unspecified medical grounds sparked widespread criticism. She is due in court on Friday, where Judge Michael Sauer, who sentenced her to jail at her trial in early May, will hear the case for her "reassignment" to house arrest.

Ms Hilton was released from jail

for unspecified health reasons

The incident took place an Aids awareness rally in April

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has appealed against obscenity charges brought against her after she was kissed in public by Richard Gere.

She also requested proceedings be moved from the court in Jaipur in Rajasthan state where the charges were filed to a court in Mumbai, where she lives.

"The complaints are a complete abuse of the due process of law," her lawyer was quoted as saying by the Reuters agency.

"She is being victimised because she is a well-known personality."

Gere sparked protests in India after kissing the UK's Celebrity Big Brother winner Shetty at an Aids awareness rally in New Delhi last month.

'Moral police'

The court in Jaipur issued an arrest warrant for the Hollywood actor and asked Shetty to appear before the court. Two similar cases have been filed elsewhere.

Gere has apologized for any offense caused but has accused "the moral police in India" of manufacturing the controversy.

Shetty, meanwhile, has blamed a "lunatic fringe" for creating the uproar over her allegedly "obscene" behavior.

www.frendzee.com  Latest Music,Mp3's, hollywood, bollywood, english hindi songs,Music Videoz,World Cup Live Updates, Discussions, Latest TV Serials Episode...Available for download  www.frendzee.com  where are you?

Bangladesh celebrate the dismissal of David Hemp

Bangladesh qualified for the Super 8 stage of the World Cup and put out India as they beat Bermuda in a rain-affected match in Trinidad.

An unbeaten stand of 59 between Mohammad Ashraful and Saqibul Hasan saw Bangladesh reach their target of 96 with three of their 21 overs remaining.

They had restricted Bermuda to 94-9 on a day of constant rain interruptions.

Saleem Mukuddem took three early wickets as Bangladesh slumped to 37-3 before they battled through.

Bangladesh lost a wicket early on in their run chase when Tamin Iqbal was brilliantly caught by Kevin Hurdle on the point boundary after slashing at Mukuddem.

Mukuddem then had Aftab Ahmed lbw for seven before Shahriar Nafees got an outside edge to Janeiro Tucker at second slip.

The match began late after heavy rain at the Queen's Park Oval, and several more heavy showers during the day saw the number of overs per side reduced again and again.

Bermuda were in trouble from the first over of their innings, when Stephen Outerbridge hooked wildly at Mashrafe Mortaza and top-edged to Mohammad Rafique at fine leg.

Delyone Borden then got a leading edge to the same bowler and was easily taken at mid-off, before left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak had Bermudan captain Irvine Romaine trapped lbw for just 11.

David Hemp - top scorer against India - was sent packing for a duck, cutting Syed Rasel straight to Aftab Ahmed at gully.

After yet another rain break, Oliver Pitcher skied Saqibul Hasan to captain Habibul Bashar as the innings fell apart.

Lionel Cann restored some pride by smashing 16 off six balls before he was bowled by Hasan, with Tucker holing out on the boundary for six as Bermuda desperately sought runs.

Pitcher was later taken to hospital after landing awkwardly attempting a difficult running catch off Mohammad Ashraful.

Bangladesh's qualification triggered wild celebrations among their players.

They had been expected to exit the tournament at the group stage, but their shock win over India last week meant they only had to avoid defeat against Bermuda to go through.

Woolmer's body will remain in Jamaica until after an inquest

Police in Jamaica investigating the murder of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer say no-one has been eliminated from their enquiry.

But deputy police commissioner Mark Shields told the UK Times newspaper there were no prime suspects.

CCTV footage from the Kingston hotel where Mr Woolmer was staying when he was killed is being examined.

The Pakistan team is in London on its way home. Mr Shields said he let the team leave to avoid a diplomatic row.

He said he was working with Pakistani diplomats to secure their return to Jamaica if needed.

The two countries have no extradition treaty.

Tapes 'crucial'

"Everybody at the moment is a witness," said Mr Shields. "But we do not have more suspicion about one person over another."

Mr Shields, a former Scotland Yard detective, said he was hopeful that the footage from the 12th floor of the Pegasus Hotel could yield images of whoever strangled Woolmer last week.

He said the tapes are now in a secure location and being converted digitally in order to enhance the quality of the images.

Mr Shields said the CCTV cameras were installed at either end of the corridor and that, while they did not show Woolmer's actual room, they should tell police who came in and out of the passageway.

"They are crucial as they may give us an image of the murderer or murderers of Bob Woolmer," he said.

The records of every door keycard in the hotel are also being examined in order to determine movements in and out of rooms.

"It's a huge task. But when we do that we get the time of death."

Mr Shields said his team was looking into match-fixing as one line of inquiry.

There has been much speculation that the murder is connected to match-fixing and illegal gambling on cricket.

Detectives in Jamaica believe Woolmer probably knew his killer - or killers - as there were no signs of forced entry into his room and none of his belongings had been stolen.

Pakistan's players have given police DNA samples and fingerprints as part of the probe into Woolmer's murder.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, team manager Talat Ali and assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed spoke to police for a second time on Saturday before the team left Jamaica.

Sir Elton held a lavish private party in Manhattan before the concert

Sir Elton John has performed to a sold-out audience of more than 20,000 fans at New York's Madison Square Garden to celebrate his 60th birthday.

Former US President Bill Clinton introduced the veteran pop star, who entered the stage dressed in a black tailcoat to a standing ovation.

He opened the show with his hit Sixty Years On.

It was his 60th appearance at the venue - eight more than the Grateful Dead's tally, a record passed in October 2001.

Opening the concert, Mr Clinton said: "Thank you for coming tonight to help celebrate Elton joining my favourite club, the 60-year-olds' club.

"I love it every time he plays. He reminds me we still have some youth left," he said. Mr Clinton also paid tribute to the work of Sir Elton's Aids Foundation.

A banner was raised to mark Sir Elton's 60th concert at the venue

Sir Elton, born Reg Dwight in north London, said he had known several years ago what he wanted to do when he turned 60.

"I knew I had done 59 shows at Madison Square Garden and I said the only place I want to be is New York City on my 60th birthday."

Other famous guests included US actress Bette Midler, model Elizabeth Hurley, Italian designer Donatella Versace, actor Pierce Brosnan and English rocker, Ozzy Osbourne.

The show followed a lavish private birthday party held in Manhattan. A similar bash was held in London earlier this month.

West Indies v Pakistan, Group D, Jamaica

Lara keen to build on winning start

'Samuels' knock was crucial. It was a question of who was going to start it, and he did. He carried on too, and built on that

Brian Lara refused to look too far ahead - "It's just one match" - but there was no denying his pleasure at the manner in which West Indies stormed to a 54-run victory in their opening game at the World Cup. In front of a raucous crowd that wasn't quite capacity, they defended 241 with some disciplined bowling and brilliant fielding, and the margin would have been even more resounding but for a defiant innings from Shoaib Malik.

"I still think the batting did it in spurts," said Lara afterwards. "I thought 241 was a good total in the end. The guys did really well then, but we need to be scoring better throughout an innings." He pointed the finger at himself and his senior colleague, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, for a sluggish start that saw West Indies scoring at less than three an over even after the halfway mark.

The momentum shift started with Marlon Samuels, who stroked a superb 70-ball 63, and added 91 with Lara. "We left 20 or 30 runs out there then," said Lara, talking about the slow start. 'Myself and Shiv were pretty slow to get started. Samuels' knock was crucial. It was a question of who was going to start it, and he did. He carried on too, and built on that."

For Inzamam-ul-Haq and Pakistan, it was a depressing afternoon, after the bowlers had excelled for 40 overs. "It's a matter of concern," said Inzamam, when asked about the batting. "We have the experience in the middle order and the batsmen have to take responsibility."

He didn't think his decision to field first had affected the outcome, with even Lara admitting that he would have chosen the same option. "Our bowlers did well," said Inzamam, talking in Urdu. "I was happy with their effort to restrict them to a total that I thought we could chase."

There was no attempt to blame the pitch either. "It was a good one," he said. "There was some help for the seamers, but I have to give their bowlers credit. They bowled a great line, and didn't even need to use the spinners."

He was happy enough with his own spinner, though Danish Kaneria's dismal fielding did bring a rare smile to his lips. 'The fielding was sloppy," he said in another masterpiece of understatement. "We'll have to keep working hard on that over the next few days."

Lara was full of praise for the crowd - "You had to be out there to really feel the atmosphere" - and for Dwayne Smith, who justified the decision to play him ahead of Ian Bradshaw by taking three wickets and clouting 32 from just 15 balls. "He played really well today," said Lara. "When he came in, we were looking at 225 or so. But then he started hitting it out of the park. And he got two of their best players out [Inzamam and Yousuf]. But he knows he need to build on that."

So do West Indies, who started the last World Cup with a similarly impressive win only to lose their way subsequently. Soon after the toss on Tuesday morning, the organisers had given the crowd an opportunity to show their respect for the heroes of the 1975 and 1979 campaigns. But in reality, the best possible tribute to those giants of auld langsyne comes in the shape of performances such as the ones Samuels, Smith and Bravo summoned up against Pakistan.

Elizabeth Hurley Weds Arun Nayar Filed under: Actresses liz & arun Elizabeth Hurley & fiance Arun Nayar got married on Friday in a secret ceremony, which is a day before the lavish celebrations & star studded parties on Saturday. Today, the first ceremony, was a religious one at the 15th-century Sudeley Castle ... stars like Elton John were present there. Then after the service, Liz's mom held a glamorous black tie affair ... the guests will enjoy a four-course feast & vintage champagne before hitting the dance-floor in a specially-erected marquee! Wow! That's not all ... Liz & Arun will travel to Mumbai tomorrow, Sunday, to continue the festivities in India which will include a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony in Rajasthan.

Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron.

In court papers filed late on Monday in state Supreme Court, Weil said Theron signed an endorsement deal saying that from October 2005 through December 2006 she would only wear Weil's high-end watches.

That deal allowed Weil to use Theron's photographs in its advertisements in exchange for "substantial funds," court papers said.

Meanwhile, Theron had an endorsement deal to promote a Dior perfume, Weil's lawsuit said.

The 31-year-old actress "was actually photographed wearing a watch from the Christian Dior line" at a March 14, 2006, news conference at a film festival in Austin, Texas, court papers said. A photo of her wearing the watch is included as an exhibit.

"Although the agreement clearly prohibits (Theron) from appearing in any advertisement for any jewelry, even for charity, she appeared wearing a necklace in an advertisement benefiting an AIDS charity, violating the agreement, from February 2006 to December 2006," the court papers said.

"Plaintiffs were led to believe and had a right to believe by their written agreement that (Theron) would not promote jewelry or watches."

A spokeswoman for Theron didn't immediately return a call.

The lawsuit doesn't say how much Weil is seeking in damages, but the watchmaker's lawyer, David Jaroslawicz, said his client had spent more than $20 million on the Theron advertising campaign.

Theron won a best actress Oscar for 2003's Monster. Her films also include North Country, Mighty Joe Young and The Legend of Bagger Vance.

    Today, the Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the Presidential to the nation. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of their country. Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.

    To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion. The crème of N.C.C cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honor to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms.

    The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. The parade and the ensuing pageantry is telecast by the National Television and is watched by millions of viewers in every corner of the country.

    The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India.