Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the celebrations of the 76th Republic Day by a dignified homage to the Indian martyrs at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Traditionally, the Prime Minister’s visit to the memorial, is the formal launch of Republic Day celebrations. Not long after, the grand procession and festivities began at Kartavya Path, drawing thousands.
#LIVE | देश मना रहा 76वां गणतंत्र दिवस… कर्तव्य पथ पर दुनिया देखेगी भारत की ताकत #RepublicDay #HappyRepublicDay #RepublicDay2025 #RepublicDayIndia #RepublicDayParade2025 @journosaurav @IMinakshiJoshi https://t.co/PEYskdAQIC
— India TV (@indiatvnews) January 26, 2025
Republic Day 2025 Highlights
This year’s Republic Day parade featured Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the chief guest. His presence underscored the strengthening ties between India and Indonesia. The event saw an estimated 10,000 guests attending at Kartavya Path, reflecting the government’s initiative to enhance public participation, or “Jan Bhagidari,” in nationally significant events.
Themes and Showcases
Virasat aur Vikas’ (Golden India: Heritage and Development) with 31 monumental tableaux. Each tableau embodied the vibrant cultural richness of India and its progressive achievements. For the first time, the armed forces presented a tri-services tableau underlining the sense of oneness and all-embracing integration between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Colourful entertainment punctuated the event, with performers over 5000 representing a range of cultures offering a rich array of art forms across the full length of Kartavya Path, the area dedicated to the public. This marked the first time such extensive performances spanned the iconic stretch, adding an inclusive and celebratory essence to the event.
The National War Memorial
A focal point of the Republic Day celebrations, the National War Memorial stands as a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of India’s armed forces. The memorial was inaugurated in 2019 and is designed with four concentric circles Amar Chakra, Veerta Chakra, Tyag Chakra, and Rakshak Chakra symbolizing valor, sacrifice, and protection.
At the heart of the memorial is an eternal flame, which merged with the historic Amar Jawan Jyoti in 2022 to create a single flame symbolizing immortal soldiers. On golden inscriptions on granite tablets, the names of the 25,942 heroes who paid the last price to their country appear.
The memorial commemorates the fallen during major engagements such as the India-China War (1962), India-Pakistan COnflicts (1947, 1965, and 1971), the Kargil Conflict (1999), and the UN peacekeeping missions. Spread across 40 acres, it has become a symbol of national pride and unity.
PM Modi’s Message on Republic Day
Extending his good will to the nation, PM Modi gave an inspirational message in X (formerly Twitter):.
**“Happy Republic Day. Alltogether today we reminisce the 75th anniversary of Republic. We humbly thank all the illustrious women and men who shaped our Constitution and made our journey a journey of democracy, dignity, and unity. May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India.
The message resonated with the theme of national pride and commitment to democratic values, reflecting the significance of Republic Day as a celebration of India’s unity and sovereignty.
A Celebration of Heritage and Progress
The Republic Day festival not only pays tribute to India’s heritage, but also represents its visionary future. Over all, from the elaborate renditions of the country’s cultural and technological achievements to the theatrical productions celebrating its cultural plurality, the 76th Republic Day consolidated the indomitable spirit of “unity in diversity” of the nation.
The event concluded with a ceremonial retreat, leaving citizens inspired to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution and work towards a more prosperous and harmonious India.
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