India is all set to celebrate the 76th Republic Day on January 26, 2025, with a grand parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The event will highlight the nation’s military strength, rich cultural heritage, and the milestones of its progress, all under the theme of ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas.’ This year’s celebrations are even more significant as India marks the 75th anniversary of its Constitution, which came into effect on January 26, 1950.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest, becoming the fourth Indonesian president to attend the Republic Day celebrations. Notably, Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president, was the chief guest at India’s inaugural Republic Day in 1950. President Subianto’s participation will also include a marching contingent and a band from Indonesia.
The Republic Day parade will feature a blend of India’s military might and cultural diversity. Among the military displays, cutting-edge defense technologies such as BrahMos, Pinaka, Akash, the Battle Surveillance System ‘Sanjay,’ and the tactical missile ‘Pralay’ will be showcased for the first time. Other major assets such as T-90 ‘Bhishma’ tanks, the Sarath infantry vehicle, and multi-barrel rocket systems like ‘Agnibaan’ will also be part of the procession.
This year’s parade will see several firsts, including the tri-services tableau, which will illustrate a synchronized military operation involving land, sea, and air forces. It will feature the indigenous Arjun battle tank, Tejas fighter aircraft, and the advanced light helicopter, with the theme ‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’ (Strong and Secure India). Additionally, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will present a tableau on ‘Raksha Kavach,’ demonstrating India’s multi-layered defense capabilities against diverse threats.
The parade will also reflect the nation’s cultural heritage, with 16 tableaux from states and Union Territories, alongside 15 from central ministries and departments. Each tableau will highlight a unique aspect of India’s progress and heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in paying tribute to martyrs at the National War Memorial before the parade begins.
The 90-minute ceremonial parade will be marked by a national salute and a flypast involving 40 aircraft from the Indian Air Force, including the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, and MiG-29, along with three Dornier aircraft from the Indian Coast Guard. The Indian Army’s presence will include a mounted column, mechanized columns, and marching contingents from various regiments such as the Brigade of the Guards and Jat Regiment, with some of India’s bravest soldiers, including two Param Vir Chakra awardees, joining the parade.
Capt Ritika Khareta, the first woman officer of the Army’s Corps of Signals, will command her contingent, while Capt Ashish Rana and Capt Dimple Singh Bhati will lead a daring motorcycle display. Capt Bhati is set to make history by becoming the first woman officer to salute the President while riding a ladder on a motorcycle during the parade.
The tableaux from different states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Bihar, and Delhi, among others, will display India’s diverse culture and history. As part of the commemorations, President Droupadi Murmu will deliver a speech to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, marking a momentous occasion in India’s democratic journey.
This Republic Day will not only celebrate India’s military strength and heritage but will also honor its commitment to progress, unity, and the values enshrined in the Constitution.
With inputs from PTI