The Republic Day Parade this year will feature a display of weapons, missiles and aircraft in an actual battle formation, while the theme of the celebrations is 150 years of Vande Mataram, the iconic song that inspired generations of freedom fighters during the British era.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while providing details of the 90-minute parade, said the display of weapons, equipment and aircraft would be presented in a “battle array” format. The accompanying commentary will explain how a battle progresses – from reconnaissance to actual combat.
Aircraft and associated equipment will be shown in a “battle-use” format. This is the first attempt to make the parade more interactive.
Singh said earlier Republic Day parades tended to be quite stereotyped, and the intent now was to make the event more engaging for viewers. “Given the general excitement around Operation Sindoor, the idea is to show the operational elements behind the parade,” he said. The presentation would weave a story of how a battle progresses from reconnaissance and logistics to the use of long-range systems, followed by backup logistics and the integration of air power. The aim was to show how equipment and manpower were actually deployed in battle to make the parade more interesting, he added.
Traditional marching contingents have been retained. Post-Operation Sindoor raisings, such as the Shaktiban regiment, will showcase their strength, while Bhairav light commando battalions will also take part in the parade, which will be conducted on Kartavya Path – the central vista between Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate in the national capital.
This year, spectator stands along both sides of Kartavya Path will be named after rivers of the country. The Beating the Retreat ceremony will have stands named after musical instruments. The Defence Secretary said this had been done to reduce the clamour for stands classified as ‘VIP stands’.
“This year’s main theme is the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. A banner will be released with balloons at the end of the programme carrying this theme. The invitation cards, tickets and other material have also been designed around this theme. Celebrating India’s rich and diverse cultures, a total of 30 tableaux will be displayed on Kartavya Path,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be the Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations. A small contingent of European Union naval forces would also join the parade, the Defence Secretary said.