Republic Day 2025: President Murmu leads celebrations at Kartavya Path as India showcases its might

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday unfurled the Indian national flag at the Kartavya Path as the country celebrates the 76th Republic Day parade. The flag unfurling ceremony was followed by the national anthem along with a thunderous 21-gun salute using 105mm Light Field Guns which is an indigenous weapon system.

During the ceremony, the Indian President was flanked by her Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto, who was the chief guest of this year’s Republic Day Parade. Both the leaders were escorted to the Kartavya Path by the President’s bodyguard and the seniormost regiment of the Indian Army.

The two presidents arrived at the parade on a “traditional buggy”. The tradition made a comeback in India after a long gap of 40 years. Around 300 artists graced the parade and played “Sare Jahan Se Achha” with musical instruments from different parts of the country.

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The parade will also honour the proud winners of the highest gallantry awards. They include Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd) & Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar (Retd) and Ashok Chakra winner Lt Col Jas Ram Singh (Retd). It is pertinent to note that the Param Vir Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous act of bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy, while the Ashok Chakra is awarded for similar acts of valour and self-sacrifice but, other than in the face of the enemy.

Around 10,000 Special Guests have been invited to witness the parade. The motto of “Jan Bhagidari” will be the highlight of this year’s grand celebrations.

For the first time in the country’s history, a tri-services tableau will show the spirit of jointness and integration between the Indian armed forces. According to the Indian Defence Ministry, the theme of that tableau will be “Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat”. The tableau is expected to depict a Joint Operation Room facilitating networking and communication between the three wings of the Indian military.

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The celebration will finally come to a close with the ‘Beating Retreat Ceremony’ which is held every year on January 29 at Vijay Chowk. During the ceremony, Indian tunes will be played by the military bands.

With inputs from agencies.