New Delhi: On January 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings to the nation on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day. In a post on X, he expressed his hopes that this day would reinforce efforts to uphold the ideals of the Constitution.
“Happy Republic Day. Today, we celebrate 75 glorious years of being a Republic. We pay tribute to the remarkable women and men who crafted our Constitution, ensuring our journey is anchored in democracy, dignity, and unity. May this occasion bolster our commitment to preserving constitutional ideals and striving for a stronger, prosperous India,” stated the Prime Minister.
President Droupadi Murmu will lead the Republic Day celebrations from Kartavya Path in New Delhi. This year’s festivities will emphasize the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s enactment and the theme of ‘Jan Bhagidari’, showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity, unity, equality, development, and military strength, as noted in a government press release.
The Chief Guest for the event will be Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia. Approximately 10,000 special guests, representing various sectors and recognized for their contributions to ‘Swarnim Bharat’, have been invited to witness the parade. These guests include top performers in different fields who have effectively utilized government schemes.
The Republic Day Parade will commence at 10:30 a.m. and last about 90 minutes. The ceremony will begin with PM Modi visiting the National War Memorial to honor fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Following this, he and other dignitaries will proceed to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to observe the parade.
The arrival of the Indian President and her Indonesian counterpart will be escorted by the President’s Bodyguard, the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army, using the ‘Traditional Buggy’ for the first time in 40 years.
As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute using indigenous 105-mm Light Field Guns. The parade will feature 300 cultural artists performing ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ with various traditional instruments from across India, including Shehnai, Nadaswaram, Dhol, and more.
Flower petals will be showered from Mi-17 1V helicopters during the parade, led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat. The President will take the salute as the parade commences, commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, with Major General Sumit Mehta as the Parade Second-in-Command.
The event will also honor gallantry award winners, including Param Vir Chakra recipients Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, along with Ashok Chakra winner Lt Col Jas Ram Singh. Additionally, a marching contingent and military band from Indonesia will participate, showcasing their military prowess.