India to mark 76th Republic Day with military displays, culture and Indonesian president’s visit

New Delhi: India will mark its 76th Republic Day on Sunday, celebrating the platinum jubilee of the adoption of the Constitution. The event will feature displays of the nation’s military strength and vibrant cultural traditions at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the guest of honor for the celebration. The parade will also include marching and band contingents from Indonesia, adding to the ceremonial grandeur. Subianto will be the fourth Indonesian president to attend India’s Republic Day. Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, was the guest at the inaugural Republic Day celebrations in 1950. On this occasion, President Droupadi Murmu will unfurl the national flag and deliver a speech to the nation.

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• A total of 16 tableaux from states and Union territories, along with 15 from central ministries and departments, will be part of the parade.
• India will showcase advanced defence platforms, including BrahMos, Pinaka, and Akash missiles. For the first time, the Army’s Battle Surveillance System ‘Sanjay’ and DRDO’s ‘Pralay’ missile will also be featured.
• Other military equipment like the T-90 ‘Bhishma’ tanks, Sarath infantry vehicle, Short Span Bridging System, Nag Missile System, ‘Agnibaan’ rocket launcher, and ‘Bajrang’ light vehicle will join the parade.
• The tri-services tableau, highlighting “jointness” among the armed forces, will demonstrate a battlefield scenario with the Arjun tank, Tejas fighter aircraft, and advanced light helicopters. The theme is ‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’ (Strong and Secure India). DRDO will also showcase a tableau on multi-domain protection, ‘Raksha Kavach’.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial before the parade, which will start with the National Salute and last for 90 minutes, celebrating India’s heritage.
• Several aircraft, including the C-130J Super Hercules and MiG-29, will participate in the flypast.
• Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar will be the Parade Commander, and Maj Gen Sumit Mehta will be the Second-in-Command.
• The flypast will feature 40 Air Force aircraft and Dornier aircraft from the Indian Coast Guard.
• The marching columns will include units like the Brigade of Guards and Jat Regiment.
• The motorcycle display will be led by Capt Ashish Rana, with Capt Dimple Singh Bhati following.