New Delhi | WTNS | Jan 26:A cold winter morning, coupled with a bright sunny afternoon, on Sunday (January 26, 2025) greeted thousands of people at Kartavya Path as President Droupadi Murmu led India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the special guest for the ceremony, in the national capital.
The celebrations’ theme was ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas,’ showcasing military strength, with focus on development and cultural diversity. The Indonesian Army graced the event with a music band.
The parade had special focus on 75 years of enactment of the Constitution and Jan Bhagidari, with a unique blend of India’s rich cultural diversity, unity, equality, development and military prowess. Decorated with flowers, and statues, tableaux celebrating 150 years of tribal activist Birsa Munda and 75 years of the Constitution highlighting the “father of the Indian Constitution” Dr. B.R. Ambedkar were key focuses of the event.
Around 10,000 special guests from different walks of life were invited for the parade. According to the Defence Ministry, over 77,000 passes were issued for the event, with 32,000 passes having been sold for citizens.
Indian Air Force contingent march during the 76th Republic Day parade celebration at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2025. | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
The parade began at 10.30 a.m., with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he led the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes, by laying a wreath
The President and her Indonesian counterpart were escorted by the President’s Bodyguard, the seniormost Regiment of the Army. They arrived in the ‘traditional buggy’, the practice which made a comeback in 2024 after a gap of 40 years.
While invitees stood still, the National Flag was unfurled, followed by the National Anthem with a thunderous 21-gun salute using 105-mm Light Field Guns, an indigenous weapon system.
The parade was heralded by 300 cultural artists playing ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ with musical instruments such as shehnai, sundari, nadaswaram, been, mashak been and ransingha.
The parade was commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, a second-generation officer.
IAF’s three Su-30 aircrafts fly in ‘Trishul’ formation during the 76th Republic Day parade celebration at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2025. | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Slowly, as contingents marched down the Kartavya Path, the Brigade of the Guards, the Jat Regiment, the Garhwal Rifles, the Mahar Regiment, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment, the Corps of Signals, among others, reverberated the crowd with patriotic music and beats. Over 31 tableaux decorated the Kartavya Path
For the first time, a Tri-Services tableaux rolled down the Kartavya Path, displaying the spirit of jointness and integration. With the theme ‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’, the tableau depicted a Joint Operations Room facilitating networking and communication among the three Services.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (January 26, 2025) greeted people on India’s Republic Day, wishing that the occasion strengthens efforts towards preserving the ideals of the Constitution.
“Happy Republic Day. Today, we celebrate 75 glorious years of being a Republic. We bow to all the great women and men who made our Constitution and ensured that our journey is rooted in democracy, dignity and unity,” Mr. Modi said in a post on X.
“May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India,” the Prime Minister said.
