India Marks 77th R-Day With Celebrations at Kartavya Path

New Delhi: India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on Monday, as the nation comes together to mark the adoption of the Constitution and showcase its rich cultural and military heritage.President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the grand celebrations at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend as the Chief Guests on this momentous occasion.This year, Kartavya Path, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhawan to the National War Memorial, has been elaborately decorated to showcase India’s remarkable journey. The celebrations will feature an extraordinary blend of the 150-year legacy of the national song Vande Mataram, the country’s unprecedented developmental progress, robust military strength, vibrant cultural diversity, and active participation from citizens across all walks of life, according to the Ministry of Defence.The ceremony will commence at 10:30 AM and run for approximately 90 minutes. It will begin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the National War Memorial, where he will lead the nation in paying solemn tributes to fallen heroes by laying a wreath.Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will proceed to the saluting dais at Kartavya Path to witness the parade.The arrival of the President of India, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission in the ‘Traditional Buggy’ will be escorted by the President’s Bodyguard, the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army.As per tradition, the National Flag will be unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a thunderous 21-gun salute using 105 mm Light Field Guns, an indigenously developed artillery weapon system. The salute will be presented by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment.Nearly 100 cultural artists will herald the parade on the theme ‘Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity’, showcasing musical instruments that reflect the nation’s unity and rich cultural diversity.A showering of flower petals will be carried out by four Mi-17 1V helicopters of the 129 Helicopter Unit in the Dhwaj Formation. The formation will be led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat.The parade will then begin with the President taking the salute.



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