President Droupadi Murmu oversaw the 77th Republic Day festivities at Kartavya Path in New Delhi by hoisting the national flag and guiding the nation in honoring the historic occasion. The National Flag was raised to the tune of the National Anthem, accompanied by a powerful 21-gun salute using indigenous 105-mm Light Field Guns. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Chief Guests for the Republic Day celebrations, were greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the saluting base at Kartavya Path.
President Murmu and the Chief Guests were escorted to Kartavya Path by the President’s Bodyguard, ‘Rashtrapati ke Angarakshak’, the oldest regiment of the Indian Army, in a ‘Traditional Buggy, reviving a tradition after 40 years. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan was also welcomed by the Prime Minister and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Republic Day Parade this year will showcase 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s military prowess with BrahMos and Akash missiles, and diverse cultural heritage through 30 lively tableaux.
This year’s Republic Day Parade, the first after Operation Sindoor last year, will exhibit advanced defense platforms and a grand flypast featuring 29 aircraft including Rafale, Su-30, P8i, C-295, Mig-29, Apache, LCH, ALH, and Mi-17 in various formations. The parade will highlight cutting-edge defense technologies and a vibrant cultural performance by 2,500 artists, celebrating Vande Mataram and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. Participants of ‘Mann ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio show, along with construction workers of Kartavya Bhawan, Lakhpati Didis, and around 10,000 other special guests from various fields will witness the Republic Day Parade.
As per the Defence Ministry, the special guests include individuals recognized for outstanding contributions in income and employment generation, top innovators, researchers, start-ups, self-help groups, and top performers under key government schemes.
