77th Republic Day: A Grand Showcase of India’s Heritage, Power and Progress

New Delhi, January 26: India is celebrating its 77th Republic Day with grandeur and patriotic fervour at the Kartavya Path in the national capital, where the main ceremonial parade is currently underway. President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the Tricolour earlier this morning, marking the formal beginning of the national celebrations. She arrived at the venue in a ceremonial buggy, escorted by the elite President’s Bodyguard, continuing a long-standing tradition associated with Republic Day ceremonies.

This year’s celebrations have acquired major diplomatic significance with the presence of two European leaders as chief guests — President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luís Santos da Costa. Their participation highlights India’s expanding strategic and political engagement with the European Union and reflects the growing global stature of the country.

Ahead of the parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial near India Gate. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi. The solemn ceremony honoured the supreme sacrifice of India’s armed forces and set a reflective tone for the day.

Following the unfurling of the national flag, the national anthem was played and a 21-gun salute was fired, after which the Republic Day Parade began along Kartavya Path. A total of 30 tableaux are participating this year, including 17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from various Ministries, Departments and Services. The broad themes for this year’s parade are “Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram” and “Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, linking the 150-year legacy of the national song Vande Mataram with India’s journey towards economic growth and self-reliance.

The tableaux are presenting a blend of India’s rich cultural heritage and its modern achievements, showcasing folk traditions, developmental initiatives, digital governance, women empowerment, space missions, defence manufacturing, green energy and the startup ecosystem. Together, they depict India’s evolution from a newly independent nation to a rapidly advancing global power.

Nearly 2,500 artists from across the country are participating in the cultural segment of the parade, performing classical and folk dance forms such as Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam and Odissi, along with region-specific musical presentations. The performances reflect the theme of unity in diversity and highlight India’s civilisational continuity.

A major highlight of the celebrations remains the display of military strength and indigenous defence capabilities. The parade features advanced equipment including Rafale fighter jets, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Akash surface-to-air missile systems, artillery platforms, armoured vehicles and drone technologies. The Indian Air Force has also showcased a special formation titled Operation Sindoor, underlining operational preparedness and technological modernisation.

Marching contingents from the Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary forces are part of the parade, along with National Cadet Corps cadets and specialised units such as the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion. An animal contingent from the Remount and Veterinary Corps has also added a traditional dimension to the procession. Several units are participating for the first time, symbolising the evolving structure of India’s defence forces.

Gallantry award winners, including recipients of the Ashoka Chakra and Kirti Chakra, are being honoured during the ceremony, while children who have received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for acts of bravery are also present.

Security arrangements for the event are among the most advanced ever, with AI-enabled surveillance systems, facial recognition technology and drone monitoring deployed across the national capital to ensure smooth and safe conduct of the celebrations.

Republic Day is also being celebrated across the country, with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes taking place in state capitals, districts, schools and defence establishments. Governors and Chief Ministers are leading celebrations in their respective states, reinforcing the spirit of constitutional democracy and national unity.

As the parade continues at Kartavya Path, the 77th Republic Day stands as a powerful reflection of India’s democratic values, cultural richness, military strength and global aspirations, presenting a nation that is firmly rooted in its past while confidently shaping its future.