India commemorated its 75th Republic Day on January 26 under the themes of ‘Nari Shakti’ (Women Power) and ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). President Droupadi Murmu led the celebrations in Delhi, with French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest. The parade featured 13,000 special guests, showcasing cultural diversity and military prowess.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the day by paying homage at the National War Memorial, followed by the unfurling of the national flag, the anthem, and a 21-gun salute. President Murmu, alongside Macron, commenced the parade in a traditional ‘buggy.’
A noteworthy addition was the inaugural participation of over 100 female artists playing Indian musical instruments, and an all-women tri-service contingent represented ‘Nari Shakti.’ Captain Sandhya led the contingent, featuring Sub Lieutenant Anshu Yadav, Captain Sharanya Rao, and Flight Lieutenant Shrishti Rao.
The parade showcased more than 20 tableaux, emphasizing female empowerment nationwide. Madhya Pradesh highlighted women’s achievements in development, while Odisha exhibited active female participation in handicrafts. Uttar Pradesh’s tableau featured Lord Ram, aligning with the recently inaugurated Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Themed ‘Women power in protecting the nation,’ the DRDO tableau demonstrated defense systems across dimensions. ISRO’s tableau illustrated Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing and the Aditya L-1 mission studying the Sun. The celebration encapsulated India’s strides in culture, defense, and space exploration.
