Republic Day Parade to Mark 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’ and Display India’s Military Power

India Marks 77th Republic Day with Parade Celebrating 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’ and Military Prowess

India celebrated 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, attended as chief guests, marking a significant EU presence at the ceremony.

This year’s parade, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, was themed around 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s progress, military strength, cultural diversity, and public participation. The event combined tradition and technology, featuring the armed forces, indigenous defence systems, cultural performances, tableaux, and an impressive fly-past.

Key Highlights:

• The 90-minute parade began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tributes at the National War Memorial. President Murmu and EU dignitaries arrived in the ceremonial buggy, followed by the unfurling of the National Flag, National Anthem, and a 21-gun salute using indigenously developed 105 mm Light Field Guns.

• Cultural performances featured around 100 artists under the theme “Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity,” with flower showers from Mi-17 helicopters.

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

• For the first time, the Army displayed a phased Battle Array with aerial elements, T-90 and Arjun tanks, Apache helicopters, drones, robotic systems, and indigenous missiles including BrahMos, Dhanush, Akash, and SURYASTRA.

• The Navy tableau showcased INS Vikrant, Maratha Navy ships, Nilgiri-class frigates, Kalvari-class submarine, and GSAT-7R satellite, while the Air Force flew Rafale, MiG-29, Su-30, and Jaguar jets in “Spearhead Formation.”

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

• DRDO presented the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM), a hypersonic glide missile with speeds up to Mach 10.

• Marching contingents included CISF, CRPF, ITBP, Delhi Police, BSF camel units, NCC cadets, and NSS volunteers. 30 tableaux from 17 States/UTs and 13 Ministries highlighted India’s culture, heritage, governance initiatives, and self-reliance.

• Around 2,500 cultural artists performed “Vande Mataram – The Eternal Resonance of Bharat,” with motorcycle stunts by CRPF-SSB Dare Devils and a fly-past of 29 aircraft in formations named Arjan, Vajraang, Varuna, and Vijay.

Special initiatives included exhibitions on 150 years of Vande Mataram, Bharat Parv at Red Fort (Jan 26–31), free Metro rides, Divyang-friendly facilities, Swachhata campaigns, Veer Gatha 5.0 (1.92 crore student participants), the Rashtraparv Portal, and the PM’s NCC Rally on January 28.