When I attended the Republic Day Celebrations!

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Main Battle Tank of the Indian Army, T- 90 Bhishma passes through the Rajpath, at the 72nd Republic Day Celebrations, in New Delhi on January 26, 2021. PHOTO: Courtesy Press Information Bureau, Government of India

Republic Day celebrations are usually a big deal, but nothing compares to the chaos of getting ready for it at 5:30 in the morning. I remember when I attended it one January 26th a few years ago in New Delhi.

It’s a mix of excitement, panic, and a lot of noise from the family members yelling about scarves and snacks. Somehow, amidst all that, I ended up at Rajpath at India Gate, with curiosity in mind and a proud Indian heart, waiting for the parade to start. That was my first time seeing the parade in person, and I couldn’t believe how close everything was. In just a few minutes, I realized we were sitting right opposite of the cubicle of that year’s President Shrimati Pratibha Patil. That made the experience even more special.

On that chilly January morning, I saw the crowd gathering at Rajpath. Everyone was wrapped in woolen shawls, looking forward to a festive day. The excitement in the air was unmistakable. The whole street seemed to come alive with vibrant colors, and as we found our seats, I couldn’t help but glance around in amazement. The morning sun lit up the historic street, and India Gate stood tall, full of pride.

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The President’s arrival in the black limousine, surrounded by the highest level of security, was the first major attraction that I couldn’t forget. Then came the 21-gun salute. As the cannons boomed one after the other, the ground seemed to shake beneath us. For a moment, I thought, “What if a bird flies too close?” I was ready to jump up, not only out of fear but out of concern for our feathered friends. But my worries quickly melted away when the sound of the guns was replaced by the strains of the national anthem. As the tricolor soared high and the national anthem played, my heart swelled with pride, when the entire crowd sang “Jana Gana Mana”. For a moment, time stood still.

The President’s speech highlighted important milestones, but what touched me most were the stories of unsung heroes—teachers, farmers, and young scientists. By then the parade was just getting started. It began with tanks rolling by, helicopters showering petals, and the armed forces marching with precision. The synchronization between each member of the troop was another thing that took my heart away. Then followed the bike stunt, with 25 people on a single bike, and one of the riders wasn’t even holding the handlebars. Was there a magnet involved? Some kind of trick? I spent the next few minutes trying to figure it out.

Five Jaguar fighter planes fly over Rajpath, at the 70th Republic Day Celebrations, in New Delhi on January 26, 2019. PHOTO: Jaguar Fighter Jets fly over Rajpath at India’s Republic Day Celebrations in New Delhi on January 26th.
PHOTO: Courtesy Press Information Bureau, Government of India

The highlight of the day was the fly-past by the Indian Air Force Fighter jets which soared above, leaving trails of saffron, white, and green clouds. The whole crowd cheered, and I felt like I was in an action movie. The celebrations at Rajpath were a blast, but the excitement over the Republic Day didn’t end there.

Next day, the celebrations at my school kicked off with equal enthusiasm. The school ground was filled with students and teachers. Our chief guest that year was a retired soldier from the Kargil War. His words were moving, but what stayed with me the most was the pride in his eyes as he hoisted the flag. Flower petals fell, and we sang the national anthem together.

Devansh Malhotra PHOTO: Courtesy Vikram Malhotra

My friends and I had been preparing for weeks to participate in performing a skit on the theme of responsibility that comes with freedom. Our play showed scenes from the freedom struggle and the importance of my generation contributing to building a stronger India. The applause we received was overwhelming. Our celebrations also included poster making competitions and poetry recitations. As the day came to a close, I reflected on how Republic Day isn’t just about celebrations—it’s about remembering our shared history and the events from the past. It’s a day of pride, joy, and lots of unexpected laughs, uniting us all in the spirit of freedom.

(Devansh Malhotra, 14, is a high school sophomore 10th grader at the West Windsor Plainsboro High School South)