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Republic Day parade: India's military prowess on full display
President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the national flag at Kartavya Path on the 76th Republic Day, with a 21-gun salute marking the occasion. The flag hoisting was followed by the national anthem. President Murmu and Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto arrived in the historic presidential buggy.
Follow usNews Arena Network - New Delhi - UPDATED: January 26, 2025, 06:01 PM - 2 min read
The 76th Republic Day parade underway at Kartavya Path.
India is commemorating its 76th Republic Day on Sunday with a spectacular parade along the Kartavya Path, showcasing the country's military might and diverse cultural heritage.
This year's celebrations are significant as the nation is marking the platinum jubilee of the adoption of the Constitution.
The Republic Day parade began on the Kartavya Path with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute.
Parade Commander and General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar led the parade, followed by Parade Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area, Major General Sumit Mehta.
Winners of the highest gallantry awards, including the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra, followed the parade commander.
They include Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (retired) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar (retired), and Ashok Chakra winner Lieutenant Colonel Jas Ram Singh (retired).
The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy, while the Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice, other than in the face of the enemy.
Flower petals were showered on the Kartavya Path from Mi-17 IV choppers of the Indian Air Force's 129 Helicopter Unit.
The helicopters carried the National Ensign along with the respective service ensigns of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Flying in a 'dhwaj formation', the helicopters showered flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.
Trooping the National Flag, the formation of helicopters was led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat.
#WATCH | The Indian Air Force presents fly-past during the 76th #RepublicDay🇮🇳 Parade on Kartavya Path.
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025
(Visuals of Dhwaj Formation comprising Four Mi-17IV helicopters flying past in 'Vic' formation.)
(Source: IAF) pic.twitter.com/ukhVjWv8eN
Displaying diversity of the country, 300 cultural artists, dressed in colourful attire, heralded the 76th Republic Day parade on the Kartavya Path here on Sunday, marching to the tune of ‘Saare Jahan Se Acchha’.
The 300 artists were playing musical instruments from different parts of the country.
76th #RepublicDay🇮🇳 | The heralding of the Republic Day Parade 2025 is being done by a group of 300 artists with an Indigenous mix of instruments. Ministry of Culture has brought together this ensemble of instruments that includes a wide mix of wind and percussion instruments.… pic.twitter.com/soY31GJ52S
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh tableau captivated onlookers with a striking display centred on the theme “Mahakumbh 2025 - Swarnim Bharat Virasat aur Vikas”.
VIDEO | Republic Day Parade 2025: Tableaux of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar showcase religion, belief and spirituality at Kartavya Path.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 26, 2025
(Source: Third party)#RepublicDayWithPTI #RepublicDay2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/WlUig3I9a0
It beautifully depicted the grandeur and significance of the Mahakumbh Mela, celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual legacy.
On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh’s tableau drew attention with its theme, “Madhya Pradesh’s Glory: Kuno National Park - The Land of Cheetahs”.
The vibrant presentation marked the return of cheetahs to India, highlighting the state’s conservation efforts and the successful reintroduction of these majestic animals at the Kuno National Park.
Happy Republic Day 🇮🇳🫡
— The Madhya Pradesh Index (@mp_index) January 26, 2024
Jai Ho Laadli Behna ✊🏻
The tableau portrays the 'Self-reliant and progressive; women of the state. pic.twitter.com/X3GmJysKTc
After a decade, Chandigarh returned to the Republic Day parade with a vibrant tableau.
It showcased a videographer at the Japanese Garden, Nek Chand's artistic creations, the heritage Vidhan Sabha’s outer wall adorned with mosaic mural designs, and the iconic Gandhi Bhawan.
After 10-year gap,Chandigarh displayed its tableau in #RepublicDay parade. It featured a man doing videography from Japanese Garden, NekChand’s artistic creation, outer wall of Vidhan Sabha,which is the city’s heritage juxtaposed with mosaic mural design and iconic Gandhi Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/UBhnMNCwv6
— Bhushan Rohta (@BhushanRohta) January 26, 2025
Through symbolic representation of the revered Bodhi Tree and the legendary Nalanda university, Bihar's tableau at the Republic Day parade here on Sunday showcased the rich cultural heritage of the region known over the centuries as the 'land of Buddha' and ancient wisdom.
The tableau from the eastern state made its presence in the 76th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path after a gap of eight years.
#RepublicDay🇮🇳: Bihar's tableau showcased during the 76th #RepublicDay Parade on Kartavya Path, in Delhi
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025
The tableau of Bihar celebrates the state’s rich traditions of knowledge and peace. The tableau features Lord Buddha in a meditative Dharmachakra Mudra, symbolizing peace… pic.twitter.com/5QbdofOqEu
Jharkhand's tableau at the Republic Day parade on Sunday highlighted the state's legacy of heritage and progress under the theme "Swarnim Jharkhand: A Legacy of Heritage and Progress."
#RepublicDay🇮🇳: Jharkhand's tableau showcased during the 76th #RepublicDay Parade on Kartavya Path, in Delhi
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025
The tableau showcases "Swarnim Jharkhand: A Tradition of Heritage and Progress." The tableau also pays tribute to Ratan Tata and Tata Group’s significant contributions… pic.twitter.com/nIKE1XNIkd
For the first time, cultural performances have spanned the entire Kartavya Path, from Vijay Chowk to C Hexagon, ensuring all guests enjoy a uniform viewing experience.
This year, 5,000 artists, performing under the theme ‘Jayati Jaya Mamaḧ Bharatam,’ showcased over 45 dance forms from across the country in an 11-minute performance.
India's strides in accurate prediction of cyclones and the resultant saving of lives, the benefits to farmers due to timely weather forecasts figure prominently in the tableau of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which celebrated 150th anniversary of its foundation this year.
The tableau of the IMD, which rolled down the Kartavya Path as part of the 76th Republic Day celebrations, featured a striking depiction of Cyclone Dana, that ravaged parts of Odisha and West Bengal last year, but led to very few casualties due to early warnings and timely evacuation of people from the affected regions.
Proud to witness the #RepublicDay tableau of India Meteorological Department (#IMD) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences marking the #150YearsofIMD at Kartavya Path. pic.twitter.com/b64K6TOYMi
— Lal Kamal ✪ (@lalkamal007) January 26, 2025
In a first, a tri-services tableau, depicting the broader spirit of "jointness" among the armed forces, rolled down Kartavya Path, the centrepiece boulevard of the national capital.
It displayed a battlefield scenario, demonstrating a synchronised operation in land, water and air with the indigenous Arjun battle tank, Tejas fighter aircraft and advanced light helicopter.
Tank T-90 Bhishma, the NAG missile systems, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the Pinaka multi-launcher rocket system, the Agnibaan multi-barrel rocket launcher, the Akash weapon system, the integrated battlefield surveillance system and all-terrain vehicle (Chetak) were among the key displays by the mechanised columns.
Light specialist vehicle Bajrang, vehicle-mounted infantry mortar system Airawat, quick reaction force vehicles Nandighosh and Tripurantak and the short-span bridging system were also on display.
A stunning victory roll by low-flying Rafale aircraft left viewers gathered on either side of the Kartavya Path spellbound as the 76th Republic Day Parade came to a memorable end on Sunday.
The daring aerial acrobatics by three Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft that came roaring over Kartavya Path at 900 kmph before pulling apart in a Trishul formation just above the India Gate also left the large crowd speechless.
#WATCH | The Indian Air Force presents fly-past during the 76th #RepublicDay🇮🇳 Parade on Kartavya Path.
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025
(Visuals of Amrit Formation comprising 05 Jaguar ac flying past over the water channel North of Kartavya Path in 'Arrow-head' formation)
(Source: IAF) pic.twitter.com/b85NqKyf0a
Notably, for the first time, indigenously developed short-range tactical missile Pralay was showcased at the Republic Day parade.
The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
It is a short-range surface-to-surface missile with a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg. It has a range of 150 to 500 kms.
President Murmu unfurls the national flag
Earlier, President Murmu unfurled the national flag at Kartavya Path, marking the 76th Republic Day celebrations.
The ceremony was accompanied by a booming 21-gun salute from 105 mm Light Field Guns, an indigenous weapon system positioned along the iconic route.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several other Union ministers, the country's top military brass, foreign diplomats and senior officials were among the spectators on both sides of Kartavya Path.
Lieutenant Shubham Kumar and Lieutenant Yogita Saini of the Indian Navy assisted in the flag hoisting, which was followed by the national anthem.
The gun salute was performed by the ceremonial battery of the 172 Field Regiment, paying tribute to the nation on this significant day.
#WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu unfurls the National Flag at Kartavya Path, on the occasion of 76th #RepublicDay🇮🇳
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025
National anthem and 21 Gun salute follows.
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/6969bmx2B4
President Murmu and Indonesian counterpart arrive in historic buggy
Earlier in the day, President Murmu and her Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto, arrived at Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade in a traditional gold-plated, horse-drawn buggy.
The practice, which had been discontinued for 40 years, made a comeback during last year’s Republic Day celebrations.
The gold-plated buggy was drawn by a mixed breed of Indian and Austrian horses and escorted by the President's Bodyguard, the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army.
President Murmu and Subianto were escorted by the Bodyguard—“Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak”—which has a long and storied history.
The buggy had been used during Republic Day functions until 1984, when it was discontinued following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Since then, presidents had used limousines for official travel.
The carriage was briefly revived by President Pranab Mukherjee in 2014 during the Beating Retreat ceremony, with President Ram Nath Kovind continuing the tradition in 2017 when he inspected the Guard of Honour in the buggy after taking oath.
A royal legacy
Originally belonging to the viceroy of India during British rule, the buggy became a symbol of India’s newfound independence in 1947.
A historic row between India and Pakistan ensued over its ownership, with a coin toss deciding the buggy’s rightful owner.
India won the toss, and the carriage has been in India’s possession since then. Presidents have since used it during various ceremonial occasions.
Republic Day parade concludes
The Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path concluded with the national anthem, as President Droupadi Murmu and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was the chief guest at the event, left in the traditional buggy.
This year's parade showcased India's cultural diversity and military prowess.
President Murmu was escorted by the President's Bodyguard, the seniormost regiment of the Indian Army. The president left with the chief guest in the buggy.
Hundreds of tri-colour balloons, celebrating 75 years of the Indian constitution, were also released.
