India celebrates its 76th Republic Day on Sunday with a grand showcase of the nation’s rich cultural diversity, unity, equality, development, and military prowess at Kartavya Path. President Droupadi Murmu will lead the celebrations, while Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will grace the occasion as the chief guest.
In line with the government’s objective of increasing ‘Jan Bhagidari’ in events of national significance, around 10,000 Special Guests from diverse backgrounds have been invited to witness the parade. These individuals, described as the architects of ‘Swarnim Bharat’ in a defence ministry release, include outstanding performers in various fields and beneficiaries of key government schemes.
For the first time, a tri-services tableau with the theme ‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’ will depict the spirit of jointness and integration among the armed forces. The tableau will feature a Joint Operations Room facilitating seamless communication and networking across the three Services.
The parade, scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM and last approximately 90 minutes, will commence with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial to pay tributes to fallen heroes. Following this, he will arrive at the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.
A highlight of the event will be the melody of 300 cultural artists playing ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ using musical instruments from across the country, resonating with the hopes and pride of over a billion Indians. Instruments include Shehnai, Sundari, Nadaswaram, Mashak Been, Ransingha, Flute, Chenda, Thavil, and many more.
Sixteen state and Union Territory tableaux and ten Central Government ministries and department tableaux will showcase the theme ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas’. Meanwhile, Mi-17 IV helicopters from the 129 Helicopter Unit will shower petals during the Dhwaj Formation as part of the National Flag trooping ceremony.
The President’s Bodyguard, the Indian Army’s senior-most regiment, will escort President Murmu and her Indonesian counterpart to Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy. A 21-gun salute will follow the unfurling of the National Flag, using 105-mm Light Field Guns, an indigenous weapon system.
The parade will also honour recipients of India’s highest gallantry awards, including Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd.) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar (Retd.), and Ashok Chakra recipient Lt Col Jas Ram Singh (Retd.).
The Marching Contingent of Indonesia’s Military Academy will participate, alongside India’s military units. The 61 Cavalry, the world’s only active horsed cavalry regiment, will lead the Army’s marching contingents, followed by mechanized columns showcasing cutting-edge defense systems like the T-90 Bhishma tank, BrahMos, and Pinaka rocket systems.
The tri-services tableau will highlight indigenous defense capabilities, including the Arjun Main Battle Tank, Tejas MKII fighter jet, and INS Visakhapatnam, symbolizing India’s strides toward self-reliance in defense. A Veterans’ Tableau themed ‘Viksit Bharat ki Ore Sadaiv Agrasar’ will honour their contributions.
Women’s empowerment will take center stage with veteran women officers from all three services representing ‘Nari Shakti’. The Indian Navy contingent will showcase state-of-the-art indigenous warships, while the Indian Air Force fly-past will feature Rafale, Su-30, and Apache helicopters in breathtaking formations.
The ceremony will conclude with the release of balloons featuring banners celebrating 75 years of the Constitution’s enactment, accompanied by the national anthem.
(ANI)