Bhubaneswar, Aug. 13: For Aparna Jena, a Class-VIII student from the city, being a part of the Independence Day parade is indeed a big deal.

This being her first time at the parade, she is putting in her best efforts to make sure that her steps were perfect. "After three years of trying, I finally got selected for the parade this time. It is difficult to express in words how proud I feel to be a part of this preparation," said the student with excitement.

Like her, hundreds of students from schools and colleges were busy practising at the dress rehearsal for the 70th Independence Day celebrations on Mahatma Gandhi Marg today.

Besides the cadets from schools and colleges, jawans of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Railway Protection Force (RPF), 120 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army, home guards and women traffic police also took part in the drill, presenting a colourful spectacle.

The rehearsal began at 7am and continued till 10.30 in the morning. As many as 56 troops will take part in the parade this year. Awards will be given to troops in various categories who performed well during the Republic Day parade this year. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik will felicitate the winners.

Like every year, a daredevil stunt show by the students of Maharishi College, will be one of the main attractions of the parade. Students of Rama Devi Women's University will also showcase their skills on motorbikes.

Police were seen continuously providing instructions to improve the performance of participants.

From maintenance of gap to guiding the flag bearers and from upholding their hand movements to eye contact, they were focusing on every minor detail.

For the first time, contingents from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (Odraf) and Odisha Swift Action Force (Osaf) will be a part of the Independence Day parade this year. A troupe of traffic volunteers will also take part apart from a police platoon of Telangana.

A number of events have been planned in the city to mark the occasion. A number of cultural programmes, including patriotic songs and dance recitals, will also be organised.

The army band, which performed at the Indira Gandhi Park in the city before an enthusiastic crowd, was a hit. The Army Pipe Band from Army Air Defence Centre, Gopalpur, came with a band consisting eight pipers, five drummers and one band master, the group played 18 tunes and also had a ground show on the park lawn.

A kiosk on making youths aware about the careers of Indian Army, was a huge crowd puller. While youths including girls were seen asking questions on different aspects of joining Army, they also collected different brochures and leaflets from the kiosk. The programme was organised in the Indira Gandhi Park in association with the Bhubane-swar Development Authority.