Sun Jan 26 14:00:07 UTC 2025: ## Spectacular Republic Day Parade 2025 Celebrates India’s Heritage and Progress

**New Delhi, January 26th, 2025** – India celebrated its 76th Republic Day with a spectacular parade along Kartavya Path, featuring Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the Chief Guest. Over 18 marching contingents, 31 tableaux showcasing the theme “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” (Golden India: Heritage and Development), and more than 5,000 artists participated in the 90-minute ceremony.

President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the national flag, followed by a salute from parade commander Lt General Bhavnish Kumar, who notably marched alongside his son, Lieutenant Ahan Kumar. The parade included breathtaking stunts by the Corps of Signals Motorcycle Rider Display Team (“Daredevils”), and a captivating aerial display by the Indian Air Force, featuring 40 aircraft and helicopters. A first-of-its-kind tri-service tableau highlighted the Armed Forces’ joint operations capabilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to fallen heroes at the National War Memorial before the parade. Over 10,000 special guests witnessed the event, overseen by a massive security deployment of over 70,000 police personnel.

Tableaux from 16 states and union territories, and 10 central government ministries, highlighted India’s diverse culture and achievements. The cultural performance, titled “Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam,” featuring 45 dance forms, covered the entire Kartavya Path for the first time. The Indian Army showcased its robotic dog, “Sanjay,” while the all-women marching contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force, led by Assistant Commandant Aishwarya Joy M, also made a significant presence.

The Republic Day celebrations extended beyond Delhi, with events at the Attari-Wagah border, including a Beating Retreat ceremony and the exchange of sweets between BSF and BGB personnel. Several prominent figures, including Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, shared their Republic Day sentiments on social media. The day also marked the conferral of Padma Awards, with tributes paid to the late folk singer Sharda Sinha. The celebrations concluded with the release of hundreds of tricolour balloons. A loud, unexplained sound in Guwahati during celebrations briefly caused alarm.

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