Republic Day Parade to Celebrate 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’ and India’s Military Strength

India Celebrates 77th Republic Day with Grand Parade Highlighting 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’ and Military Strength

India is celebrating its 77th Republic Day on Monday, with President Droupadi Murmu presiding over the grand parade at Kartavya Path. European Union dignitaries, including European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, are attending as chief guests, marking a significant EU presence at the ceremony.

This year’s parade, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, is themed around 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s progress, military prowess, cultural diversity, and the spirit of Jan Bhagidari (public participation). The event blends tradition with technology, showcasing the armed forces, indigenous defence systems, cultural performances, tableaux, and an impressive fly-past.

Parade Highlights:

• The 90-minute parade began at 10:30 am, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tributes at the National War Memorial. President Murmu, along with the EU dignitaries, arrived in the ceremonial buggy escorted by the President’s Bodyguard. The National Flag was unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute using indigenously developed 105 mm Light Field Guns.

• Around 100 cultural artists led the parade under the theme “Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity,” accompanied by traditional musical instruments from across India. Four Mi-17 helicopters showered flower petals in a spectacular display.

• Gallantry awardees marching included Param Vir Chakra recipients Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, as well as Ashok Chakra awardees Maj Gen CA Pithawalia (Retd) and Col D Sreeram Kumar.

• For the first time, the Army showcased a phased Battle Array Format with aerial components, featuring T-90 Bhishma and Arjun MBTs, Apache helicopters, UAVs, swarm drones, robotic systems, and indigenous missile systems including BrahMos, Dhanush, ATAGS, Akash, and SURYASTRA.

• Animal contingents, including Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors, and specially trained dogs, demonstrated the armed forces’ operational versatility.

• The Navy tableau featured INSV Kaundinya, Maratha Navy ships, INS Vikrant, Nilgiri-class frigates, Kalvari-class submarine, GSAT-7R satellite, and the INSV Tarini circumnavigation route.

• The Air Force contingent flew in Rafale, MiG-29, Su-30, and Jaguar jets in “Spearhead Formation,” symbolising Operation Sindoor.

• The Tri-Services Tableau, “Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness,” highlighted coordinated air, naval, and ground operations. The all-women Indian Coast Guard showcased maritime security under the motto “Vayam Rakshamah.”

• DRDO displayed the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM), a hypersonic glide missile with speeds up to Mach 10, featuring indigenous sensors and two-stage solid propulsion.

• Marching contingents included CISF, CRPF, ITBP, Delhi Police, BSF camel units, NCC cadets, and NSS volunteers.

• A total of 30 tableaux—17 from States/UTs and 13 from Ministries—rolled out under the themes “Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram” and “Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, showcasing India’s culture, heritage, governance initiatives, and self-reliance.

• Around 2,500 cultural artists performed “Vande Mataram – The Eternal Resonance of Bharat,” while the CRPF-SSB Dare Devils performed motorcycle stunts in formations like Garuda, Power of Yoga, Desh Rakshak, and Touch the Sky. The fly-past included 29 aircraft in formations named Arjan, Vajraang, Varuna, and Vijay.

Special Initiatives:
The Republic Day celebrations also feature exhibitions commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram, Pan-India band shows, Bharat Parv at Red Fort (Jan 26–31), free Metro rides and Park-and-Ride facilities, Divyang-friendly enclosures, Swachhata campaigns, Veer Gatha 5.0 (with 1.92 crore student participants), the Rashtraparv portal, and the PM’s NCC Rally on January 28.