New Delhi, Jan 28: Defence Minister A K Antony today awarded the first prize for 'Best Tableaux Award' to the tableau of the state of Orissa which was among 26 tableaux which participated in this year's Republic Day Parade.

The second prize in the same category went to the 'Ministry of Culture' and the third prize was bagged by 'Maharashtra'.

While the 'Central Public Works Department' received the award for the 'Best Theme', 'Best Fabrication', 'Best Presentation' along with the 'Special Prize' and Orissa for the 'Best Music' and 'Best Presentation' categories, the 'Consolation Prize' for the 'Tableaux' section went to Jammu and Kashmir which also picked the 'Best Fabrication' award along with Arunachal Pradesh.

In the 'School Children Items' section, the 'Best Music' award was won by 'South Central Zone Culture Centre - Nagpur' for its 'Gedi Nritya' which also won the first prize in the same section.

Also, while the 'Best Choreography' award was won by 'Sarvodaya Kanya Vidhyalaya - Shakti Nagar (Delhi)' for 'Aao School Chalen' which came second, the 'Best Costumes' award was grabbed by 'South Zone Cultural Central Centre - Thanjavyur' for 'Kanniyarmali'.

The third prize in this category was picked by 'Dr Rajendra Prasad Savodaya Vidyalaya - President Estate (Delhi)' for 'Puppet Dance'.

Eighteen States and Union Territories and eight Ministeries and Central Government Departments participated with their tableaux in this year's R-Day Parade on January 26.

Meanwhile, the Central Industrial Security Force marching contingent was adjudged the 'Best Marching Contingent' at the 58th Republic Day Parade 2007.

The 144-member CISF contingent, comprising of an Assistant Commandant and three Sub-Officers, emerged winners amongst several contingents of other paramilitary forces.

UNI