NEW DELHI, Jan 26: India’s rich cultural diversity, military strength, and progress in sectors like science and technology were showcased during the 76th Republic Day celebrations held at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, on Sunday, January 26, 2025. The celebrations were attended by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was the chief guest, and President Droupadi Murmu, who arrived in a horse-driven buggy—a tradition revived the previous year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior government officials, military leaders, foreign diplomats, and a large audience gathered to witness the spectacular parade. The event featured a gravity-defying fly-past by helicopters and fighter aircraft, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
This year marked the presence of Subianto as the fourth Indonesian president to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations. The first Indonesian president, Sukarno, was the chief guest during India’s first Republic Day in 1950.
In an unprecedented display, over 5,000 folk and tribal artists presented 45 different dance forms from across the country during a stunning 11-minute cultural performance titled “Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam,” curated by the Sangeet Natak Academy. The presentation paid tribute to tribal icon Birsa Munda, bringing the country’s colorful legacy of tribal and folk forms to life.
The parade featured 16 tableaux from various states and Union territories and 15 from central ministries and departments, highlighting India’s cultural heritage. Among the highlights was the display of cutting-edge defense technology, including BrahMos, Pinaka, and Akash systems, as well as the Army’s battle surveillance system “Sanjay” and the DRDO’s “Pralay” tactical missile, which were part of the parade for the first time. Other military platforms showcased included the T-90 “Bhishma” tanks, Sarath infantry carriers, the Nag missile system, the Agnibaan multi-barrel rocket launcher, and the “Bajrang” light specialist vehicle.
The theme of the parade, “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” (Golden India: Legacy and Development), marked the 75th anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution. The Constitution, adopted on November 26, 1949, came into effect on January 26, 1950.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to the country’s martyrs by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. For the occasion, Modi wore a red and yellow striped “safa” with a brown bandhgala jacket and pocket square.
The ceremonial parade began with 300 cultural artistes playing the patriotic song “Sare Jahan Se Achha” on musical instruments representing different regions of India. Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, commanded the parade, with Major General Sumit Mehta serving as the second-in-command.
In a first, a tri-services tableau, which showcased India’s focus on improving synergy among its armed forces, rolled down Kartavya Path. The tableau featured synchronized operations involving land, water, and air forces, including the indigenous Arjun main battle tank, Tejas MKII fighter aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, INS Visakhapatnam destroyer, and a remotely-piloted aircraft.
The parade also honored two Param Vir Chakra awardees, Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav (retired) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar (retired), both Kargil war heroes, as well as Ashok Chakra awardee Lieutenant Colonel Jas Ram Singh (retired).
