Vivek ShuklaNew Delhi, Jan. 24 -- From US President Barack Obama to Russian President Vladimir Putin, many world leaders have been chief guests at India's Republic Day celebrations.
But no foreign dignitary has received as warm a welcome on Kartavya Path as South Africa's freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, and boxer Muhammad Ali.
Nelson Mandela was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in 1995. As long as Mandela watched the parade, spectators kept chanting his name. Those who witnessed it say that never before had any foreign head of state been welcomed on Rajpath with such enthusiasm.
Like Mandela, the huge gathering on Kartavya Path also greeted boxer Muhammad Ali with thunderous applause. He was a special guest at the 1976 Republi...