Joyful 76th Republic Day of India is “of the people, by the people and for the people”

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A tableau from Chhattisgarh state is displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves after the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Programs planned for the upcoming Republic Day of India January 26, 2025, include several joyful segments and aims to  end any remnants of colonial influence. In addition, this Republic Day celebrating 75 years of Constitution of India is focused on the idea of being “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

The Republic Day Parade will start in the morning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The President, Droupadi Murmu, will arrive at Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy and take the salute during a ceremonial march past, which will include units from the Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, Auxiliary Civil Forces, NCC, and NSS.

Archived Reuters photos from past Republic Day celebrations.

“Republic Day Parade 2025 will be a unique blend of India’s cultural diversity and military prowess, with special focus on 75 years of enactment of the constitution and Jan Bhagidari,” (People’s Participation), according to a press release from GOI.

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Heralding of Parade

The opening of the celebrations will see 300 cultural artists playing musical instruments of different parts of the country as they render the beloved song, ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha.” It is described as “An indigenous mix of instruments that resonate with the melody, beat and hopes of a billion hearts of Indians.” The ensemble of instruments includes a wide mix of wind and percussion instruments, like Shehnai, Sundari, Nadaswaram, Been, Mashak Been, Ransingha – Rajasthan, Flute, Karadi Majalu, Mohuri, Sankha, Tutari, Dhol, Gong, Nishan, Chang, Tasha, Sambal, Chenda, Idakka, Lezim, Thavil, Gudum Baza, Talam, Monbah etc.

A tableau from archived Reuters photos from past Republic Day celebrations.

Tableaux: This year, 31 Tableaux will go past the eager crowds attending the Republic Day Parade, always a feast for the eyes. Sixteen will be from different State Government/Union Territories; and another 15 from Central Government Ministries/Departments/Organizations.

The theme for the Tableaux this year is ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas.’ Two tableaux will showcase the 75 years of the Constitution of India.  Other important highlights are 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and India Meteorological Department.

A tableau from Chhattisgarh state is displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Cultural Performance: The highlight of the cultural component of RDC 2025, is an 11-minute cultural performance with 5,000 Artists entitled “Jayati Jaya Mamaḧ Bharatam.” It is an initiative of the Ministry of Culture organized through the Sangeet Natak Academy.

Cultural performances will be a big part of this year’s Republic Day celebrations. Seen here is an image from past years from Reuters archives.

The performance will include more than 45 dance forms from different part of country. For the first time, the performance will cover the entire Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk and C hexagon to ensure that all guests get the same viewing experience.

People take pictures of the Beating the Retreat ceremony in New Delhi, India, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Altaf Hussain

Beating Retreat Ceremony:  A significant change will be seen in the evening ‘Beating the Retreat Ceremony’ which closes the celebrations and is held every year on the January 29, at Vijay Chowk. This year, only Indian tunes are to be played by all the participating bands.

Beating the Retreat is observed keeping in mind the tradition, according to which, soldiers called a close down to the war at sunset. On Jan. 29, at 6.15 pm, the bugles call the retreat sound and the National Flag is lowered and the National anthem is sung in musical harmony.

Participants perform during India’s Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Danish Ismail

National School Band Competition: An All-India School Bands Competition was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education for which 697 School Bands (approx. 12,857 students) participated. The grand finale of this competition will be held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Inauguration & Prize distribution will be jointly done by Defence Secretary & Secretary, Ministry of education and Raksha Rajya Mantri & Minister of State (School Education) on January 24 & 25, 2025, respectively. The finalist students have been invited as special guests to witness the Republic Day Ceremony of Jan. 26.

Among the finalist teams, one girls’ team of Jharkhand will be performing in front of the Presidential Dais and two teams will be performing with the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, near Vijay Chowk.

Veer Gatha 4.0

The third edition of Project Veer Gatha took place from September 16 to October 31, 2024, as a part of Republic Day Celebrations-2025, to inspire and spread awareness among children about the gallant deeds and sacrifices of the Armed Forces. Approximately 17.6 million students have participated from around the country. Of them, 100 school students have been declared winners of the Veer Gatha 4.0. These winners will be felicitated by Raksha Mantri and Minister of Education at a ceremony in New Delhi on January 25, and they will be joining the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path.

Bharat Parv

There is more to look forward to after Jan. 26, when the ‘Bharat Parv’ will be held at the Red Fort, Delhi from January 26-31, 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism. It will showcase Republic Day Tableaux, performances by the Military Bands (Static), cultural performances, Food Courts serving pan India cuisines and a Crafts Bazaar.

PM’s At Home Function

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet National Cadet Corps Cadets, NSS Volunteers, Youth Exchange program cadets, Tableaux Artists, Tribal Guests, etc. of Republic Day Celebrations-2005 at his residence on January 24, 2025.

PM’s NCC Rally

The Prime Minister’s NCC rally, with the theme of ‘Yuva Shakti-Viksit Bharat’ is scheduled for Jan. 27, at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment, where Modi will review the many activities of the NCC.