New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on Monday, as the nation comes together to mark the adoption of the Constitution and showcase its rich cultural and military heritage. President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the grand celebrations at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend as the Chief Guests on this momentous occasion.
This year, Kartavya Path, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhawan to the National War Memorial, has been elaborately decorated to showcase India’s remarkable journey. The celebrations will feature an extraordinary blend of the 150-year legacy of the national song Vande Mataram, the country’s unprecedented developmental progress, robust military strength, vibrant cultural diversity, and active participation from citizens across all walks of life, according to a release from the Ministry of Defence.
The ceremony will commence at 10:30 AM and run for a duration of approximately 90 minutes. It will start with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.
The arrival of the President of India, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission in the traditional buggy will be escorted by the President’s Bodyguard, the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army. As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a thunderous 21-gun salute using 105 mm Light Field Guns, an indigenously developed artillery weapon system. The salute will be presented by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment.
Almost 100 cultural artists will herald the parade on the theme ‘Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity’, presenting a grand musical display of instruments that reflects the nation’s unity and rich cultural diversity. Showering of flower petals will be carried out by four Mi-17 1V helicopters of the 129 Helicopter Unit in the Dhwaj Formation, led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat.
The parade will then begin with the President taking the salute. The parade will be commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, a second-generation officer. Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area, a third-generation Army officer, will serve as the Parade Second-in-Command.
The proud winners of the highest gallantry awards will follow, including Param Vir Chakra awardees Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, and Ashok Chakra awardees Major General C A Pithawalia (Retd) and Colonel D Sreeram Kumar. The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, while the Ashok Chakra recognises gallantry other than in the face of the enemy.
The European Union contingent will comprise four flag bearers on three gypsies, carrying the flag of the European Union, the flag of the European Union Military Staff, the flag of EU Naval Force Atalanta, and the flag of EU Naval Force Aspides.
For the first time, the parade will showcase a phased Battle Array Format of the Indian Army, including an aerial component. The reconnaissance element will consist of the 61 Cavalry in active combat uniform, followed by the High Mobility Reconnaissance Vehicle, India’s first indigenously designed Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle. Aerial support will be provided by the indigenous DHRUV Advanced Light Helicopter and its armed version RUDRA in Prahar formation.
The combat elements will follow with T-90 Bhishma and Main Battle Tank Arjun rolling past the saluting dais, supported from the air by Apache AH-64E and PRACHAND Light Combat Helicopters. Other mechanised columns will include the BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicle along with the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2. A Special Forces detachment will follow, comprising Ajayketu All-Terrain Vehicle, Randhwaj Rugged Terrain Tactical Transport System, Dhawansak Light Strike Vehicles, robotic dogs, unmanned ground vehicles, and four autonomous unmanned ground vehicles—NIGRAHA, BHAIRAV, BHUVIRAKSHA, and KRISHNA.
The combat support element will consist of India’s new generation unmanned warhead arsenal showcased through SHAKTIBAAN and DIVYASTRA mounted on High Mobility Vehicles. These systems demonstrate advanced surveillance, swarm drones, tethered drones, tactical hybrid UAV ZOLT, and a wide range of loitering munitions including HAROP, Mini HARPY, Peacekeeper, ATS variants, and SKY STRIKER, enabling precision engagement across the battlefield.
The Dhanush Gun System and Amogh Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) will follow, reflecting the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The supersonic BrahMos Weapon System and the indigenous SURYASTRA Universal Rocket Launcher System will showcase long-range precision and deep-strike capability.
The Akash Weapon System and ABHRA Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile System, pillars of India’s air defence, will also roll past. They will be followed by the Drone Shakti Lorry and a glass-cased Integrated Operational Centre depicting Operation Sindoor, highlighting the blend of Virasat, Vividhta aur Vikas during the operation.
The Him Yodhas of the Indian Defence Forces will follow, featuring animal contingents with Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, black kites, and Indian breed dogs equipped with advanced surveillance systems. Marching contingents will include the Mixed Scouts, Rajput Regiment, Assam Regiment, Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry, Regiment of Artillery, Sikh Light Infantry, and Combined Military Bands.
The Indian Navy contingent of 144 personnel, led by Lt Karan Nagyal, will be followed by the Naval Tableau depicting the theme ‘Strong Navy for a Strong Nation’. The tableau will feature historic and modern naval platforms, including INSV Kaundinya, Maratha-era ships, INS Vikrant, Project 17A frigates, a Kalvari-class submarine, and the GSAT-7R satellite, along with the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition route.
The Indian Air Force contingent will include four officers and 144 airmen, led by Squadron Leader Jagdesh Kumar. The marching contingent will synchronise with a fly-past by Rafale, MiG-29, Su-30, and Jaguar aircraft in Spearhead Formation.
The Veterans’ Tableau of the Tri-Services with the theme ‘Sangram se Rashtranirman Tak’ will depict the journey from war to nation-building. Another Tri-Services tableau will showcase Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness, highlighting coordinated air, naval, and ground operations.
The all-women Indian Coast Guard contingent, led by Assistant Commandant Nishi Sharma, will depict India’s maritime strength and commitment to protecting its 11,098-km coastline. DRDO will showcase the LR-AShM hypersonic glide missile system, designed to engage static and moving targets with advanced indigenous technology.
Various central armed police forces, NCC contingents, MY BHARAT National Service Scheme volunteers, and Border Security Force camel contingents will march down Kartavya Path under their respective commanders.
A total of 30 tableaux—17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from Ministries and Departments—will roll down Kartavya Path on the themes ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, showcasing 150 years of Vande Mataram, national progress, self-reliance, and cultural diversity. (ANI)
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