Patna, Jan. 26: The art, culture and youth affairs tableau depicting the World Heritage Nalanda ruins bagged first prize at the Republic Day parade at Gandhi Maidan today.
The tableau of the health department was adjudged second followed by that of the Bihar State Beverage Corporation out of a total of 11 that took part in the festivities.
The art, culture and youth affairs department depicted the Nalanda ruins with a statue of the Buddha. A few Buddhist monks read out the message of peace and prosperity. A platform was created on the tableau on which teachers and students were shown.
The health department exhibited a tableau on the theme of beti bachao (save daughters). The tableau exhibited the talent of daughters. Newspaper cuttings of success stories of girls were pasted on the tableau.
Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind and chief minister Nitish Kumar were present at Gandhi Maidan.
Also on display were tableaux of the industry department whose theme was the start-up policy, Bihar Education Project Council, Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (BRLPS) better known as Jeevika, the cooperative department, the social welfare department, the agriculture department, the panchayati raj department, and the information and public relations department, which had the Public Grievance Redressal Act as its theme.
The best parade award in the professional category was given to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), while the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Navy, won theaward in the non-professional category.
Leaders in Bihar also celebrated Republic Day.
Deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav hoisted the flag at Chhapra's Rajendra Stadium in Saran district and also presented mementos to a few freedom fighters.
Health minister Tej Pratap Yadav hoisted the Tricolour at Hajipur's Akshayvat Stadium in Vaishali district.
Later, both the brothers visited Mahadalit tolas in their respective districts to participate in a flag-hoisting programme.
Tej Pratap visited Subhai Mahadalit tola whereas Tejashwi visited Lalbaazar Mahadalit tola in Vaishali and Saran districts respectively.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar hoisted the Tricolour at his 1 Aney Marg residence and later visited Sakaraicha Mahadalit Tola in Phulwarisharif.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad hoisted the national flag at his 10 Circular Road residence. All of them distributed jalebis to people.
Lalu used the occasion to attack the BJP over the statement of Uttar Pradesh state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya that a Ram mandir will be built if the BJP comes to power.
"The BJP wants to create tension in society in the name of Ram Mandir," he said.
