By Avinash Kumar
New Delhi [India], January 25 (ANI): As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, the nation displays on its journey from a dominion to a republic, mixing its wealthy legacy with a contemporary imaginative and prescient for self-reliance and progress.
The Republic Day Celebrations 2026 at Kartavya Path is ready to be a grand affair, marking 150 years of the enduring nationwide tune ‘Vande Mataram’. The occasion will showcase India’s navy prowess and wealthy cultural heritage, that includes 30 tableaux from states, Union Territories, and ministries. The day highlights India’s defence capabilities and honours residents, together with youngsters, for acts of bravery.
The theme ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ with particular tableaux and a brand new musical rendition composed by MM Keeravani and sung by Shreya Ghoshal and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ will spotlight India’s journey in direction of prosperity and self-reliance.
By pairing the 2, the federal government is signalling that fashionable technological self-reliance is the logical conclusion of the liberty battle. It’s the journey from ‘Self-Rule’ (Swaraj) to ‘Self-Reliance’ (Atmanirbharta).
You would possibly surprise why a 150-year-old tune is paired with Atmanirbhar Bharat. In 1905, Vande Mataram was the anthem of the Swadeshi Movement (the unique ‘Self-Reliant India’ motion).
The Government of India launched the Vande Mataram 150 portal for residents to report their very own renditions and obtain commemorative certificates.
Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 in Sanskritized Bengali. It first appeared in his 1882 novel Anandamath. Rabindranath Tagore first sang it on the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.
It turned a rallying cry in opposition to British rule, notably in the course of the 1905 anti-partition motion of Bengal, and was the anthem of the Swadeshi motion. It personified the nation as a ‘Mother’, demanding devotion and sacrifice. The Ministry of Culture tableau will likely be showcasing the unique manuscript and its journey from 1875.
It was adopted because the National Song by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950.
While 1947 gave us our breath of freedom, 1950 gave us our soul–a framework that ensures each Indian is the grasp of their very own future. This yr is especially particular as we have a good time 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the tune that ignited the flame of revolution within the hearts of tens of millions.
But a Republic is not only about its previous; it’s about its future. Today, we see an India that not simply ‘asks,’ however ‘gives.’ From the indigenous BrahMos missiles and Tejas plane to being a world chief in digital funds and vaccines, our self-reliance–our Atmanirbharta–is our true energy. When we use a ‘Made in India’ product or assist a neighborhood startup, we’re practising the fashionable type of patriotism.
By early 2026, the primary ‘Made in India’ semiconductor chips will likely be getting into the worldwide provide chain. This reduces dependence on imports for all the pieces from cellphones to fighter jets.
Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) is constructed on 5 core pillars introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2020: Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography, and Demand.
Economy, not simply incremental progress, however ‘Quantum Jumps,’ Infrastructure, symbolised by the PM Gati Shakti and the enlargement of ‘Water Metros,’: System, pushed by Twenty first-century know-how (e.g., UPI, which has now gone world). Vibrant demography by utilising our younger inhabitants as ‘sensible troopers’ and innovators, and Demand, ensuring the ‘Power of India’s Market’ is met by ‘Made in India’ items.
This initiative goals to remodel India into a world financial energy, fostering self-sufficiency, boosting native manufacturing, and driving modernisation via technological developments, supported by a 20 lakh crore bundle.
The Constitution acts because the ‘software program’ that runs the various ‘{hardware}’ of India. True independence is achieved when a nation can stand by itself ft whereas conserving its head held excessive within the world neighborhood.
To really perceive why Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) is a centrepiece of the 2026 Republic Day, we now have to take a look at the transition from ‘assembling for the world’ to ‘inventing for the world.’
In 2026, this is not only a slogan; it’s seen within the {hardware} rolling down Kartavya Path and the digital programs in our pockets. The parade will embody performances by 2,500 cultural artistes, a show of India’s defence energy, and a particular tribute to the nationwide tune.
India’s self-reliance has moved into ‘deep-tech’ and ‘vital minerals.’ The DRDO is showcasing indigenous Long-Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missiles, inserting India in an elite membership of countries with this degree of velocity and precision.
The 2026 Tri-Services tableau highlights this operation, showcasing ‘Jointness’ during which the Akash Air Defence System, BrahMos, and Rafale function inside a single, indigenous digital loop. Operation Sindoor and its success will likely be a central theme of the 2026 Republic Day Parade, the place the Indian Armed Forces will showcase a particular tableau and a ‘Sindoor’ plane formation to focus on their jointness, navy capabilities, and resolve in opposition to terrorism.
With over 300 personal area startups, the 2026 celebrations spotlight progress towards India’s personal Space Station and the profitable testing of indigenous jet engines–a feat achieved by solely a handful of nations.
The Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, a newly raised elite unit of the Indian Army, is scheduled to make its nationwide debut on the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2026, marching down Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
The main occasion of the day, the Republic Day Parade, will showcase the nation’s cultural range and navy energy, highlighting the shift to indigenous defence platforms (ATAGS, Dhanush, and Shaktiban).
The occasion will likely be attended by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as chief friends, and can sign India’s function as a bridge between the Global South and the West.
This is among the highest honours India can bestow. It’s a masterclass in ‘Soft Power’ diplomacy. By inviting a overseas chief, India alerts its strategic priorities for the approaching yr.
Republic Day is not only a vacation, however a second to replicate on the resilience of Indian democracy and its ongoing journey in direction of progress and inclusivity.
India surpassed Japan to turn out to be the world’s 4th-largest financial system in 2025, with a GDP of over USD 4 trillion, pushed by speedy digitalisation, strong manufacturing, infrastructure growth, and structural reforms resembling GST and IBC. This speedy ascent from tenth place in 2014 was anchored by robust home demand, a burgeoning companies sector, and a younger workforce.
India is recognised because the world’s fastest-growing main financial system, with actual GDP progress averaging 6.5%+ in recent times, and is projected to turn out to be the Third-largest financial system, surpassing Germany.
Though India turned a free nation on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and republican state with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950.
While India gained independence on August 15, 1947, it was on January 26, 1950, that the nation adopted its personal structure, changing the British-era Government of India Act (1935).
The day marks the transition from being dominated by an exterior authority to being ruled by a doc that enshrines the ideas of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all residents.
January 26 was particularly chosen as a result of it marks the anniversary of Purna Swaraj (Total Independence), declared by the Indian National Congress in 1930, which was celebrated for 17 years earlier than 1947.
One of the largest exams of the Indian democracy was the Emergency, a 21-month interval (June 1975-March 1977) when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended democracy, citing inner instability. Under Article 352, basic rights had been suspended, the press was censored, and opposition leaders had been imprisoned. It is taken into account one in every of India’s most controversial constitutional crises.
Over 100,000 folks had been imprisoned, together with political rivals, and compelled sterilisations occurred. Post-Emergency, the forty fourth Amendment (1978) restored judicial assessment and restricted the ability to declare a National Emergency.
The 1975 Emergency stays a defining second, highlighting the vulnerability of democratic establishments within the Republic when constitutional mechanisms are abused.
Beyond the historical past, Republic Day is a reminder that the Constitution is a dwelling doc. It’s the day we have a good time the truth that the last word energy would not reside in a monarch or a single get together, however in ‘We, the People.’ It’s the annual ‘software program replace’ for the nationwide consciousness, reminding each citizen of their Fundamental Rights and, equally importantly, their Fundamental Duties.
For each Fundamental Right we take pleasure in, we owe the nation a Fundamental Duty. (ANI)