Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: INDIA marked its 77th Republic Day, with a grand celebration at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, on a bright sunny morning. As is customary, President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the national flag and received a 21-gun salute, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distinguished guests including European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The parade opened with a vibrant cultural segment themed ‘Vividata Mein Ekta’ – (Unity in Diversity) and ‘Swatantrata Ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’, celebrating 150 years of the national song and India’s cultural mosaic. Over 30 tableaux from states and ministries showcased heritage, development, and technological progress of India, enthralling the dignitaries and a large gearing of visitors.
Military contingents marched past in a first-of-its-kind phased battle array, featuring next-generation weapon systems and mechanised platforms. A 29-aircraft Indian Air Force flypast, including Rafale, Su-30MKI and MiG-29 jets, thrilled the crowd, highlighting combat readiness. The celebration, marked by patriotic fervour and meticulous security arrangements across Delhi-NCR, culminated in the traditional Beating the Retreat Ceremony, again at the Kartavya Path on January 29.